The United States is the world's largest maritime trading country. While U.S. built merchant ships accounted for just 1 % of world's newbuildings tonnage in 2000, the U.S. boasts numerous marine technology venture companies carrying out exciting R&D in a variety of new field such as fuel cells. Although the market for ship machinery is considered mature, huge potential exists for tapping new markets through the development of innovations in function and economic performance. Japan needs to explore the possibility of measures to stimulate similar maritime business ventures in this country.