The purpose of the coalition is to educate policy makers, the media, and the public about the U.S. merchant marine and the importance of the U.S. maritime industry to the military, economy, and homeland security of the United States.
The U.S. Maritime Administration utilizes a cargo preference program to maintain a viable fleet of U.S.-flagged ships operated by trained American sailors, also known as the merchant marine.
[3] On July 7, 2010, the USA Maritime Coalition submitted a letter to the Honorable David T. Matsuda in support of the required application of the Cargo Preference Act of 1954.
Merchant Marine has played an integral role in the shipping of aid to developing, impoverished, or tragedy-stricken nations.
Furthermore, the shipping of food aid alone results in an output of more than $1.9 billion from U.S. industries and generates more than a half a million in earnings to U.S.