Yes that accounts for the differential in the fleet ages. The surprising thing about the ship ages (and why I included them) to me was that the average JA fleet is not 40 plus years old as one might think based on commentary in other threads where JA ships were depicted as decrepit.
It seems the old ODS program has been replaced by the MPS program. But that is only based on internet searches. To me it seems the money still serves the same purpose as the old ODS though. To provide a subsidy to ensure enough militarily useful ships are maintained under US flag. The question is is the current allotment of 60 ships in the program (all that is funded) “enough”. Is that the number DOD provided to congress or the number those genius’ came up with?
It appears the CCF is still around which seems to provide tax advantages to owners building US flag ships to replace old ones. In that sense this money would modernize a fleet. But is it funded? To what level?
I still don’t see what motivates a US company to flag in to a second register though. At least under my stipulations that JA provisions remain in force and that those ships do not qualify for MPS program. And with the further stipulation that the top 4 officers are licensed US citizens. The cost of those officers alone with an assumption that those ships are held to same or higher material standards as present flags would seem to suggest the cost would be higher than their present costs?
As I said perhaps only the 18 ships NOT currently under the MSP (and still considered militarily useful) would go for it but then the US unlicensed crew jobs would be lost. A loss in jobs and a decrease in operating costs sounds like a typical win for the owners not the US merchant marine in general.
If the DOD has a need beyond MSC they should fund MPS to higher levels. This would seem easier and quicker than setting up a second register. If the SECDEF is serious.