Unions Call on NATO Members to Revive National Merchant Fleets
Coalition of Maritime Unions Urges NATO to Boost Merchant Fleet
On NATO’s 75th anniversary, a coalition of 11 maritime unions from Europe and the U.S. has called on NATO member states to increase investment in the alliance’s commercial shipping industry. Signatories include unions like America’s MM&P and MEBA, the Seafarers’ Union of Canada, and the UK’s Nautilus International.
In a joint statement, the unions emphasized the crucial role of merchant navies in national resilience, security, and defense amid today’s volatile geopolitical climate. They noted that NATO’s merchant fleets have been in decline for decades, often replaced by foreign-built ships and lower-wage overseas labor due to cost competitiveness.
The unions highlighted the rising geopolitical tensions, such as the war in Ukraine and escalating violence in the Middle East, as reasons for NATO to address the decline in qualified merchant seafarers and national-flagged vessels. They pointed to the significant reduction in the U.S. deep sea fleet and similar declines in the UK and other NATO member states, leading to historic lows in seafarer numbers and national-flagged ships.
The unions warned that the decline impairs NATO’s ability to support military logistics and secure essential supply chains, exposing member states to potential supply interruptions in times of conflict. They called on NATO members to collaborate in boosting the number of qualified merchant mariners and vessels within the alliance and to address the incentives for foreign-flag shipping.
This urgent plea aims to strengthen NATO’s merchant fleet, ensuring the alliance’s security and economic stability in an increasingly uncertain world.
