July 30 (UPI) -- The U.S Department of Transportation on Wednesday signed off on its multibillion dollar effort to update and bolster America's reserve fleet of ships ready to quickly aid U.S. military operations at a moments notice.
DOT officials said the 20 contracts totaling $6.2 billion approved by the U.S. Maritime Administration will be directed to the management and overall maintenance of 51 government-owned ships out of nearly 101 in the nation's Ready Reserve Force. They added it will further "bolster national security" and "restore maritime dominance."
The more than 100-vessel strong RRF is maintained, the department added, in a "high state of readiness" which be activated for a global deployment within five days.
America is taking back control of the seas! MARAD and DOT have committed $6.2 billion to keep our Ready Reserve Fleet ready, reliable, and responsive. This move strengthens national security and delivers on President Trump's order to restore maritime dominance.
Learn more:... pic.twitter.com/Dz22xgppvF— DOT Maritime Administration (@DOTMARAD) July 30, 2025
