The American maritime sector is facing a moment of great opportunity. Federal engagement and investment are growing, industry excitement is renewed, and with new work coming down the pipeline, there’s great potential for companies across the ecosystem to reap the rewards.  

Beginning with keynote remarks from Stephen M. Carmel, Administrator of the Maritime Administration (MARAD), this session will focus on the pathways and next steps for the U.S. to realize this once-in-a-generation opportunity to revitalize its maritime industrial base, expand shipbuilding capacity, fortify defense capabilities, and regain global competitiveness.  

Following the keynote, a panel of speakers will then discuss the new initiatives coming out of the Maritime Action Plan and what it means for businesses, explore how shipyards, manufacturers, and the broader supplier base will need to shift to keep up with the growth of new projects, and offer recommendations for companies looking to move into the defense sector. 

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When the White House first issued a temporary waiver of the Jones Act in March, the U.S. maritime industry was quick to respond, raising concerns about the threat it poses to American shipbuilding, mariners, and national security. Now, with the waiver still in place and the administration weighing another extension, questions about its consequences and long-term impact are getting louder.  

This session gives operators, shipbuilders, mariners, and industry leaders a direct forum to share their concerns, experiences, and perspectives on what the waiver is doing — and what continued erosion of Jones Act protections could mean for the domestic maritime industrial base.

• Spotlight: Military Sealift Command 

• U.S. Navy Small Boats, Combatant Craft, and Service Craft