Shipbuilding

Shipbuilding has resurfaced as a key facet of great power competition. CSIS provides expert analysis—drawing on open-source research, industry engagement, and geospatial tools—to track U.S., allied, and adversary shipbuilding and help policymakers ensure the future of U.S. maritime leadership in a contested global environment.

Photo: Insung Jeon/Getty Images

Photo: Insung Jeon/Getty Images

Evaluating Pathways for U.S. Shipbuilding Cooperation with Allies

This report examines how deeper cooperation with allies—particularly South Korea and Japan—could help the United States attain the naval capabilities it needs. 

Report by Henry H. Carroll, Cynthia R. Cook, Seamus P. Daniels, and Oliver B. Buntin — August 10, 2026

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Matthew P. Funaiole

Matthew P. Funaiole

Vice President, iDeas Lab, Andreas C. Dracopoulos Chair in Innovation and Senior Fellow, China Power Project
Brian Hart

Brian Hart

Deputy Director and Fellow, China Power Project

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Evaluating Pathways for U.S. Shipbuilding Cooperation with Allies

This report examines how deeper cooperation with allies—particularly South Korea and Japan—could help the United States attain the naval capabilities it needs. 

Report by Henry H. Carroll, Cynthia R. Cook, Seamus P. Daniels, and Oliver B. Buntin — August 10, 2026

Aligning the U.S. and Canadian Defense Industrial Bases

On this episode of All About the Base, Dr. Jerry McGinn unpacks U.S.-Canadian industrial integration with Ms. Joanne Lostracco, Minister at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C. and Director General of Defence Procurement with Public Services & Procurement Canada.

Event — July 13, 2026

Revisiting the Relationship Between Economic and Sea Power

Sea power begins with economic power. MAP and the SHIPS Act seek to rebuild the maritime industrial base—shipyards, mariners, logistics networks, and commercial fleets—that underpins U.S. naval strategy and will bolster U.S. maritime competitiveness against China.

Commentary by Benjamin Jensen and Mackenzie Eaglen — May 22, 2026

Outlining the Challenges to U.S. Naval Shipbuilding

The U.S. naval shipbuilding enterprise struggles to produce ships at the scale and speed demanded despite being a bipartisan priority for successive administrations and Congress. The White House must tackle complex, longstanding challenges to improve shipbuilding capacity.

Report by CSIS Scholars — December 16, 2025

U.S. Policies Only Temporarily Shake China's Shipbuilding Dominance

New U.S. policies aimed at curtailing China’s growing dominance over global shipbuilding went into effect on October 14. The rollout of these measures over the past year triggered temporary volatility in international ship ordering behavior but has not yet produced lasting change in China’s market position.

Analysis by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs — October 16, 2025

Are U.S. Policies Eroding China’s Dominance in Shipbuilding?

Washington is ramping up efforts to challenge China’s dominance in global shipbuilding, but newly analyzed data shows shipping companies are still turning to Chinese yards despite looming U.S. penalties.

Commentary by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs — September 24, 2025

Identifying Pathways for U.S. Shipbuilding Cooperation with Northeast Asian Allies

U.S. naval shipbuilding faces production and capacity constraints that undermine fleet readiness. Closer cooperation with allies like Japan and South Korea on ship construction and repair could help counter China’s maritime threat and bolster U.S. industrial resilience.

Brief by Henry H. Carroll and Cynthia R. Cook — May 15, 2025