Preserving the marine environment by promoting sustainable maritime industry

best practices & educating the public to Save Our Seas.

May | 2025

Last year, NAMEPA established National Maritime Week, because we felt our industry deserved to be the focus of activities surrounding its value to our nation and the world. This year, we were delighted to see the events more than double in number and size! The week started with the newly formed MARAD US National Maritime Innovation Center meeting on priorities, followed by Blue Sky Maritime Coalition’s gathering of its members to help chart its future course. Wednesday saw the Maritime Accelerator for Resilience’s event “Revitalizing the US Maritime Industry”, attracting participants from all sectors of industry, government and non-profit organizations to hear Senator Mark Kelly and Congressman John Garamendi advocate for industry’s support of the SHIPS for America Act, while Special Assistant to the President for Shipbuilding, Ian Bennitt, discussed the President’s Executive Order and the “all of government” approach to meeting it. Participants also heard from new technologies, such as SeaTrain Technology’s submersible cargo vessel for commercial and defense applications, as well as from the Founder of STAXXON folding containers. The development of a nuclear-electric cargo vessel from Navaya Maritime, which sponsored the event, and Quadrant Nuclear modular technology were also discussed.

NAMEPA hosted an important meeting on Workforce Development as part of its Regions program. Participants included students from the New York Harbor School, who were keen to share their experiences and desire for their futures, where they expect to be in a diverse environment. One young woman shared that she was accepted into SUNY Maritime College but turned it down when she learned of the skewed demographics. We need to listen to these voices as we strive for balance in our workforce.

On National Maritime Day, the Maritime Innovation Coalition held an informal breakfast meeting, gathering entrepreneurs and organizations fostering advancement of our industry, followed by MARAD’s NMD Celebration featuring Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, with a keynote speech by INTERMLAKE’s Mark Barker. We were delighted to see the Chamber of Shipping’s former President, Joe Cox, receive recognition from MARAD for his years of service to the nation and our industry. This was followed by a working luncheon hosted by NAWE (National Association of Waterfront Employers) on the need to bring the manufacturing of cranes and containers back to the US. This was then followed by NAMEPA’s Safety at Sea program, and the presentation of the USCG’s AMVER Awards (more information here). The DC Propeller Club hosted a cocktail party afterwards.

What did we achieve with this National Maritime Week? The beginning of a coalescence around maritime in the United States. A recognition that our lack of a cohesive shipping industry has led to tremendous vulnerabilities for national, economic, energy and food, climate, and workforce security. With the support of an Administration that considers the revitalization of our maritime industry to be a top priority, our moment has come. It is ours to succeed or squander.

Have a wonderful summer!

On May 21st, MAR held the Revitalizing the US Maritime Industry Seminar at the offices of ABS in Washington D.C. A chorus of congressional leaders, White House officials, and maritime industry stakeholders used National Maritime Week as a platform to call for sweeping reforms to restore the country’s shipping and shipbuilding prowess, spotlighting the Executive Order on Shipbuilding and the proposed SHIPs Act as a transformative piece of legislation.

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On May 21st, NAMEPA held its Washington D.C. Regional Event, highlighting the importance of workforce development within the maritime industry. Students from the New York Harbor School contributed an important view of the industry from the students' perspective.

Speakers included Willie Barrere from the American Maritime Officer (AMO), Jon Kjaerulff from MITAGS, Nate Gillman from MM-SEAS, and Captain John Stauffer from San Jacinto Maritime College.

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On May 22nd, NAMEPA held their Safety at Seminar and AMVER Awards at the ABS offices in Washington, D.C. as part of National Maritime Week.

Panel Topics included Keeping Shipping Safe and Secure, Keeping our Mariners Safe and Secure as well as the presentation of AMVER Awards by Captain Rob Compher.

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Celebrate International Day of the Seafarer

Send letters to seafarers for Day of the Seafarer! 

With days flying by quickly in June and our minds filled with plans for summer, vacations, and fun activities, let's not forget the significance of June 25th: International Day of the Seafarer! Recognized by the United Nations and International Maritime Organization, it's a day to honor and celebrate the extraordinary contributions of seafarers worldwide.  

Join us as NAMEPA collaborates with the NAMMA to express our gratitude and support through heartfelt letters to these unsung heroes of the sea.  

We encourage students and teachers, community organizations, corporations, and individuals engaged across the maritime sector to participate!  

Send letters to:  

Attn: Education Team, NAMEPA 

21 Davis Hill Road, Weston, CT 06883  

NAMEPA will coordinate with NAMMA members to deliver letters in ports around the United States. 

NAMEPA's Summer Outreach

NAMEPA is gearing up for another fun-filled summer of outreach with our local Boys and Girls Clubs and YMCAs. Between June and August, NAMEPA's Education and Outreach Team will work with over 200 children across CT. Campers and students will learn about food webs, coastal habitats, marine environment importance, maritime careers, the role of maritime in their lives, and so much more!

Have an after-school program, summer camp, or group that might be interested in some maritime and marine science fun? Contact our Education and Outreach Manager, Meghan Reilly, at m.reilly@namepa.net for more information and to schedule an activity today!

NAMEPA is headed to Lafayette, LA!

NAMEPA's Executive Director, Molly Dushay, and Education and Outreach Manager, Meghan Reilly, will be heading down to Lafayette, Louisiana, at the end of June for the National Marine Educators Association Conference - enGULFed in Chage: Roux-ted in Resiliency.

Molly will be presenting and showcasing lessons and activities that are in NAMEPA's upcoming Educators Guide to Offshore Wind, and Meghan will be presenting on NAMEPA's Adopt A Ship program, made possible by the Port Houston Community Grants Program. This conference will bring together hundreds of marine educators who are dedicated to teaching about the marine, coastal, and aquatic environments!

The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) is proud to confirm that Saga Shipholding, in partnership with NYK (Japan’s largest shipping company) and managed by the globally respected Anglo-Eastern, has transferred its entire fleet of 30 general cargo vessels to The Bahamas Ship Registry. Another 2 Saga ships managed by NYK Singapore also decided to transfer to The Bahamas flag during the period, thus implying the full fleet of Saga ships (total 32 vessels) are in the process of joining The Bahamas flag.  

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Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world’s largest container line, has embarked on its most aggressive acquisition campaign of the year, snapping up more than 10 panamax and post-panamax vessels in May alone, according to sales registers and shipbrokers.



The buying spree, described as the busiest of 2025 so far, includes a mix of chartered vessels MSC is now taking ownership of, and strategic second-hand purchases amid a cooling charter market.

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SHIPPINGInsight announced the Partnership Program for its 2025 event being held October 15-16 at the Houston Marriott South near Hobby Airport. The event will feature an all-day conference on October 15th, including SHIPPINGInsight’s signature SHARK TANK, with an invitation-only Leadership Forum on October 16th.

This event is a once in a century opportunity to have a voice in shaping the future of the maritime industry. Solution providers will be uniquely positioned to meet the demands of this rapidly evolving industry at the nexus of influence and change. Partnership packages range from $10,000- $3000, reflecting the level of engagement and exposure. The higher levels will be invited to participate in the Leadership Forum being held the day after the conference. 

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On Tuesday, May 20, the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority met for its regular monthly meeting. Chairman Ric Campo opened the meeting with an update that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) released their FY25 workplan, which includes $33 million allocated to the Houston Ship Channel Expansion, known as Project 11, construction and $98 million to operations and maintenance to keep the Houston Ship Channel dredged. 

“Thank you to everyone who pulled together to get this done, including our industry partners, customers, congressional delegation, and specifically Congressman Wesley Hunt and Congressman Brian Babin who worked around the clock to make sure we got what we needed,” said Chairman Campo. 

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