Today, there are 115 self-propelled, U.S.-flag ships engaged in the U.S. foreign commerce. This fleet is composed of 5 tankers, 11 dry bulk, 28 roll-on/roll-off vessels, 61 container ships, and 10 multipurpose ships. All of these ships participate in the Federal Government’s cargo preference program. Twelve of the vessels are Jones Act qualified and do not regularly carry foreign commerce. Sixty of them participate in the Maritime Security Program, which has been successful in maintaining the required number of militarily-useful ships and their crews that could be called upon to respond to possible military contingencies.
Okay, how many of the 115 can we shanghai for military missions without drastically crippling ourselves when their customary trade voyages cease? It's not like there is ANYTHING available to backfill for them. (Or for a third string backup for USN assets.)
What commercial vessels? There simply aren't any.
Today, there are 115 self-propelled, U.S.-flag ships engaged in the U.S. foreign commerce. This fleet is composed of 5 tankers, 11 dry bulk, 28 roll-on/roll-off vessels, 61 container ships, and 10 multipurpose ships. All of these ships participate in the Federal Government’s cargo preference program. Twelve of the vessels are Jones Act qualified and do not regularly carry foreign commerce. Sixty of them participate in the Maritime Security Program, which has been successful in maintaining the required number of militarily-useful ships and their crews that could be called upon to respond to possible military contingencies.
Allied shipping losses rose from 50 ships per month in January 1942 to a peak of 124 per month in June 1942.
There maybe fewer assets to attack said ships. But, the weapons are better.
Okay, how many of the 115 can we shanghai for military missions without drastically crippling ourselves when their customary trade voyages cease? It's not like there is ANYTHING available to backfill for them. (Or for a third string backup for USN assets.)
https://www.transportation.gov/testimony/state-united-states%E2%80%99-merchant-fleet-foreign-commerce
In a wartime situation that is effectively zero. Certainly not enough to sustain a serious military effort.