Two American lawmakers will visit South Korea and Japan this week to identify how the experiences of shipbuilders in the two countries can help enhance the United States' own ability to manufacture and repair vessels.
US Senators Tammy Duckworth and Andy Kim expect that the visits will provide insights that could lead to the possible establishments of joint ventures between US shipbuilders and their South Korean and Japanese counterparts.
If established, the joint ventures will focus on the construction and repair of US Navy non-combatant vessels for operation in the Indo-Pacific as well as small craft for the US Army.
Duckworth had earlier told the Associated Press that the US needs to rebuild its capacity to manufacture ships, since its existing capacity is becoming obsolete.
The senator added that conducting repairs of American ships within the Indo-Pacific is also being considered as an alternative to having these be sent back to the US, where they could end up staying in drydock for years.