As the leading global authority in corrosion control and protective coatings, the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) endorsed the reintroduction of the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act.
Launched in May 2025, the bipartisan bill is part of an ongoing push to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding and commercial maritime industries.
Championed by U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Todd Young (R-IN), along with Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA-8) and Trent Kelly (R-MS-1), the legislation underscores an urgent need to rebuild the nation’s maritime capacity, enhance national security, and strengthen economic competitiveness.
AMPP CEO Alan Thomas was among the national leaders quoted in the announcement from Senator Kelly’s office. “AMPP proudly supports the SHIPS for America Act as a vital investment in America’s shipbuilding strength, maritime security, and economic resilience, and we thank the bill’s sponsors who are raising the bar for every aspect of this critical industry,” Thomas says. “Through AMPP’s commitment to research, training, and workforce development, we are excited to endorse this legislation.”
The bill outlines comprehensive measures to rebuild the U.S. shipyard industrial base, expand the U.S.-flagged fleet, modernize maritime workforce systems, and streamline regulatory frameworks. AMPP’s endorsement reflects its mission to safeguard critical infrastructure via advanced materials performance, workforce development, and globally recognized standards.
This legislation addresses long-standing gaps in U.S. maritime readiness by investing in protective technologies, skilled workforce pipelines, and infrastructure essential to shipbuilding and maintenance.
AMPP’s experience across military, energy, and transportation sectors affirms that such investments directly support operational performance, extend asset service life, and enhance national security. The association has a vital role to play in advancing the technical capabilities for the legislation’s objectives and ensuring a more resilient maritime industry.
AMPP was among 70 prominent organizations to endorse the legislation, which seeks to establish a Maritime Security Advisor within the White House and expand shipbuilding capacity through tax incentives and financing programs. The act proposes creating a strategic commercial fleet program to add 250 U.S.-flagged vessels within 10 years, all while supporting robust workforce initiatives across maritime academies and training centers.
With decades of expertise in corrosion control, coatings performance, and asset integrity management, AMPP actively supports numerous sectors and key stakeholders vital to national defense such as naval shipbuilding, port infrastructure, and energy transport systems.
Additional Maritime Developments
To supplement this maritime push, Thomas and AMPP’s Chief of Advocacy, Helena Seelinger, met in late April with White House National Security Council (NSC) staff in Washington, DC. These meetings explored the role of workforce development, research, and advanced materials protection in these efforts.
Discussions focused on how AMPP’s internationally recognized workforce training programs and expansive technical resources can address the labor shortage. AMPP officials also outlined how technology and innovation in surface preparation and coatings—when integrated early—can reduce the cost of protecting maritime assets, enhance durability, lower lifecycle costs, and accelerate project delivery.
“AMPP offers proven solutions that can help strengthen the domestic shipbuilding supply chain,” Thomas says. “By prioritizing materials protection in the design and construction phases, we can build more resilient vessels, extend asset life from the start, and reduce long-term costs.”
As the only organization recognized by the International Maritime Organization for corrosion control expertise, AMPP has issued more than 65,000 credentials to maritime workers. In 2024 alone, the organization trained more than 12,000 individuals across 38 countries.
This year, AMPP reaffirmed its commitment to a whole-of-government approach by engaging with agencies such as the NSC, the U.S. Department of Defense, the Department of Labor, the Department of Energy, and beyond. Utilizing its global reputation for certification, training, and technical innovation, AMPP stands ready to support these shipbuilding efforts.
“Being part of the conversation at this early stage ensures that the expertise AMPP brings—especially in workforce readiness and materials performance—can help steer and accelerate federal goals,” Thomas says. “We look forward to ongoing collaboration across agencies as this important work progresses.”
In May, AMPP signed an agreement with the American Society of Naval Engineers to establish a strategic alliance dedicated to advancing materials protection, naval engineering, and the resiliency of maritime systems.
AMPP Advocacy Day 2025
On July 9–10, AMPP’s member and staff leaders will continue this conversation with a two-day Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill. An embedded podcast interview with additional information about this program is available below.
With a focus on shipbuilding and corrosion prevention policy, the latest information is available at www.ampp.org/about/government-affairs.
Source: AMPP, www.ampp.org.
