James Lightbourn, [founder of Cavalier Shipping] and a keen observer of the maritime capital markets, told Marine News: “Simply put, the SHIPS for America Act is not written for the domestic boatbuilding sector. The construction cost premium for building tugs, barges, and workboats domestically is generally in the 2-3x range, while the ratio is closer to 5x for building larger ocean-going vessels domestically. While there could be some indirect benefit to the domestic boatbuilding sector through grants earmarked for smaller shipyards, those sums pale in comparison to what has been budgeted to support the construction and operation of internationally trading vessels.”