SIASUN(SZ:300024) Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-12-31 11:40Core Viewpoint - The ambitious plan announced by Trump to build two of the largest battleships in U.S. history within two and a half years faces significant challenges, primarily due to a shortage of skilled labor in the American shipbuilding industry [1][3]. Labor Shortage - The U.S. shipbuilding industry is experiencing a critical shortage of skilled workers, particularly welders, which are essential for ship construction [3]. - Shipyards in Virginia and Wisconsin are struggling to recruit and retain workers, leading to initiatives such as paying for technical college tuition and offering jobs to non-violent offenders [3]. - The average age of skilled workers in the industry is around 55, with a high turnover rate of 20%, indicating a looming labor crisis [3]. Training and Funding Issues - Despite federal investment in technical training, the effectiveness is minimal due to Congress's preference for funding projects that distribute jobs across various districts, making it difficult for shipyards to secure adequate training resources [3][5]. Technological Challenges - Trump's suggestion to use robots for shipbuilding to mitigate labor shortages has been met with skepticism, as shipbuilding involves complex processes that require human expertise [5]. - The U.S. shipbuilding industry has seen an 85% decline in production since the 1950s, with a significant reduction in the number of shipyards capable of constructing large vessels [5]. Regulatory and Procurement Hurdles - Current shipbuilding projects are consistently delayed, with all naval vessels under construction experiencing significant schedule overruns due to stringent regulations and changing environmental standards [5][6]. - The integration of advanced technologies, such as electromagnetic railguns and laser weapons, into new ships presents additional challenges, as these technologies are still in developmental stages [6]. Political Implications - The shipbuilding initiative is seen as a strategy by Trump to revive manufacturing and solidify political support, while also aiming to reinforce U.S. naval dominance [7]. - The underlying issues in the shipbuilding industry, including labor shortages, regulatory burdens, and supply chain vulnerabilities, need to be addressed for the ambitious shipbuilding goals to be realized [7].