Bartlett Welcomes Establishment of Maritime Prosperity Zones

Bartlett Maritime Corporation Founder and CEO Edward L. Bartlett, Jr. praised the Trump Administration’s call for increasing investment in the maritime industry of the Great Lakes region, and welcomed the growing national urgency to build national maritime capacity.

The White House Executive Order issued April 9, 2025, “Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance,” directs the Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with several other cabinet members, to find opportunities to encourage investments in American “maritime prosperity zones.” The order specifically identifies the Great Lakes for inclusion in the effort, which will be part of a Maritime Action Plan developed by the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.

“We appreciate the Administration’s action to restore and expand the shipbuilding industry in the United States and look forward to the growth of Ohio’s role in this important industry,” said Bartlett. “Right here in northeast Ohio, we have the skilled workforce available, we have significant potential for industrial facility development and we have a proud maritime heritage.”

The Executive Order calls for the maritime prosperity zones to provide “opportunities to incentivize and facilitate domestic and allied investment in United States maritime industries and waterfront communities.”

“The need for greater shipbuilding and ship repair capacity is a national challenge that goes beyond the geographical limits of coastal areas,” said Bartlett. “America can only meet this challenge by making the most of our industrial capabilities nationwide.”