Trump’s Offshore Wind Crackdown Ripples Through U.S. Shipbuilding and Port Industries

U.S. shipbuilders and port operators are facing steep losses as fallout from President Donald Trump’s campaign to dismantle the offshore wind industry deepens. The administration’s stop-work orders, permit reviews, and policy reversals targeting projects launched under former President Joe Biden’s green agenda have triggered more than $679 million in canceled federal port funding and derailed hundreds of millions in vessel orders, leaving the maritime sector reeling.

The impact extends across the country — from Massachusetts to California — with projects in Salem and Humboldt Bay among the hardest hit. Danish shipping giant Maersk recently canceled a $475 million vessel contract tied to New York’s Empire Wind project, while Louisiana’s Blount Boats and Edison Chouest have halted or scaled back offshore wind vessel construction. Many existing ships are being sold or redeployed overseas, highlighting the collapse in U.S. demand that once fueled over $5 billion in port and vessel investments.

Despite the administration’s claims that it can revive shipbuilding and port industries without offshore wind, local officials and trade groups warn that the policy shift could devastate thousands of jobs. “It’s realistic to look at the current landscape and see that this industry is going to be deeply challenged by the current administration,” said Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo. Industry leaders hope Trump will reconsider, emphasizing that offshore wind investments bolster steelmaking, logistics, and maritime competitiveness—sectors the president has long championed.

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