On April 24, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order titled “Unleashing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources,” which aims to accelerate the development of seabed mineral resources. This strategic initiative seeks to enhance the nation’s supply of critical raw materials (CRMs) while diversifying their sources away from geopolitically sensitive land-based regions.
For ship owners and operators, this could mean a wave of new long-term contracts and an expansion of operational scope. Traditionally, the extraction of CRMs—vital for technologies such as renewable energy and defense—has been heavily reliant on a limited number of land-based mining nations, creating vulnerabilities in the supply chain.
For example, China produces over 80% of the world’s rare earth elements, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo dominates global cobalt supply. Such concentration exposes the industry to risks like trade conflicts and political instability, making the need for alternative sources urgent.
Deep-sea mining (DSM) offers a solution by allowing the extraction of minerals like nickel, manganese, and copper from the ocean floor. While DSM is still in its early stages, the Executive Order aims to kickstart its commercial viability, particularly in U.S. waters and through international partnerships.
This directive sets a course for federal agencies to expedite permitting processes and engage with the private sector. For vessel owners, the opportunity is immediate and multifaceted.
The demand for specialized vessels capable of supporting DSM operations is a key avenue. These vessels will be necessary for exploration, subsea infrastructure development, environmental monitoring, and mineral extraction.
There is also significant potential for transporting extracted minerals to onshore processing facilities, creating a lucrative market for dry bulk or multipurpose vessels. Existing ship owners can pivot quickly by retrofitting older vessels instead of investing in new builds, allowing for cost-effective entry into this burgeoning market.
Moreover, the logistics required for deep-sea mining operations will involve regular transport of workers, equipment, and supplies. This creates consistent cash flow opportunities through leasing offshore support vessels and other logistics services, benefiting from established operational models analogous to those in the offshore oil and gas sectors.
However, while the Executive Order has been well-received by some companies and industry advocates, it also faces skepticism. Concerns include the lack of U.S. infrastructure for large-scale CRM production and the potential for market-driven decisions to undermine regulatory efforts.
Environmental groups caution against the potential impacts on marine ecosystems. Despite these challenges, the Executive Order signals an important shift and presents a unique opportunity for ship owners and operators willing to explore the emerging field of deep-sea mining.