| The American-flag merchant marine became the world's largest during World War II. U.S.-flag ships carried most of the nation's commerce, and the world looked to America for shipping strength. After the war, the different parties in the maritime industry began to fight for their individual interests as the American standard of living became the highest in the world. The federal government hesitated to step in and calm the growing discord, and several decades passed as American maritime policy stagnated. Only after the parties in the industry began cooperating with each other did Congress take positive steps to aid the American-flag merchant marine, but it still hesitated when industry disagreement or American foreign policy concerns surfaced. Since the U.S. government today remains ambivalent toward its national merchant fleet, cooperation by the parties comprising the maritime industry will be the only road toward recovery of a strong American-flag merchant marine. |
