Trump Weighs USVI Ship Registry Proposal to Boost Maritime Strength and National Security

The Trump administration is currently reviewing a bold proposal to establish a new international ship registry in the U.S. Virgin Islands—an initiative designed to expand the U.S.-flagged commercial shipping fleet, strengthen national security, and elevate the Virgin Islands as a critical player in global maritime commerce.

Spearheaded by the Center for Ocean Policy and Economics (COPE), the proposal has gained support from Governor Albert Bryan Jr., who has described it as an innovative solution to strengthen American shipping. If implemented, the registry could transform the economic landscape of the U.S. territory, while addressing long-standing vulnerabilities in America’s maritime readiness.

The U.S.-flagged commercial fleet currently numbers just 187 vessels, with only 80 engaged in international trade—a figure dwarfed by China’s estimated 5,500 ships. National security experts have warned of the risks tied to this disparity, citing reliance on foreign-flagged vessels during critical missions such as the 1991 Gulf War. The proposed registry seeks to reverse this trend by allowing vessels to fly a U.S.-controlled flag—without the burdensome restrictions typically imposed by traditional U.S. flag registration.

Under the plan, ships registered in the USVI would still operate under U.S. jurisdiction but would be exempt from the Jones Act, the century-old maritime law that mandates U.S.-built ships and U.S. citizen crews for vessels flying the American flag. The USVI, as a U.S. territory outside the customs zone, is already exempt from these cabotage requirements, giving the proposal a unique advantage.

Eric Dawicki, president of COPE and a veteran of the maritime industry, introduced the idea in 2021 following global supply chain disruptions during the Covid-19 pandemic. In February 2022, Dawicki and Governor Bryan signed a memorandum of understanding to advance the initiative. COPE has called the proposal “the most relevant maritime initiative in the past 75 years.”