The objective of this evaluation was to assess the effectiveness with which the U.S. Navy recapitalized the surge sealift fleet. Specifically, we e valuated the U.S. Navy’s efforts to extend the service life of existing vessels, acquire used vessels, and construct new vessels in support of its surge sealift capability.
In response to an FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act requirement, the Navy submitted a report to Congress titled “Sealift That the Nation Needs.” The report described the strategy of the Navy, U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), and U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD) to recapitalize the sealift fleet and identified a near-term sealift capacity gap before newly constructed vessels could become operable. The Navy’s recapitalization strategy included a comprehensive, three‑phased approach to: extend the service life of 31 existing vessels, acquire an estimated 26 used vessels, and build new vessels to begin replenishing the fleet.