Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., is developing legislation to revitalize the U.S. commercial maritime industry, calling it an economic and national security imperative. The legislation seeks to make it more cost-competitive to operate a U.S.-flagged merchant ship, grow American shipbuilding capacity, and invest in the maritime workforce. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro has increasingly viewed the commercial maritime industry as pivotal to a strong military fleet. He recently convened a meeting of the Government Shipbuilders Council to align their shipbuilding and ship repair plans.