establishing a tanker security fleet would begin to reduce our military’s reliance on foreign flag vessels by ensuring that a greater portion of the fuel needed by the Department of Defense is transported by American mariners on U.S. flag vessels. It would not promote or expand the production of petroleum products but would instead begin to end America’s almost total reliance on foreign flag of convenience vessels to meet the energy needs of the Department of Defense at sea and around the world. Read more (PDF)