Preserving the marine environment by promoting sustainable maritime industry
best practices & educating the public to Save Our Seas.
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I am just back from Washington, DC where I attended the NAMO (National Association of Maritime Organizations) meeting. Much of the discussion wrapped around the USTR report, the SHIPS Act, and the anticipated draft Executive Order. Never in my memory has the maritime industry been near the top of the American, nay the world’s, agenda. We are certainly in a disruptive period, but I am grateful that maritime is on the table!
This makes National Maritime Week even more important. We need to gather the many voices and stakeholders to develop a cogent strategy and pathway leading to the renaissance of our maritime industry. As currently planned, National Maritime Week will spend a day looking at innovation, a day looking at the various acts and legislation that is in the works plus a session on advancing workforce development to meet the needs of a larger US flag industry. On Thursday, MARAD plans to hold its annual National Maritime Day event in the morning, and NAMEPA will host its Safety at Sea seminar and AMVER Awards.
We often decry the lack of action coming out of Washington—but that is not the case now. We need to harness this behemoth and channel our efforts to ensuring the success of the maritime industry writ large. We are a global industry in a global world that operates in a symbiotic environment. Let’s all participate in its revitalization !
Onward,
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Carleen Lyden Walker
Co-Founder & CEO
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The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) is proud to announce National Maritime Week in Washington, D.C., taking place from May 20-22, 2025. This weeklong series of events will celebrate and advance the maritime industry, featuring key discussions on innovation, legislation aimed at rebuilding America’s maritime industry workforce development, and safety at sea.
As part of National Maritime Week, NAMEPA will hosts its annual Safety at Sea Seminar, which will include the presentation of the United States Coast Guard’s 2024 AMVER Awards. This in-person event will take place at 1300 hours on May 22nd at ABS’ Washington, D.C. offices.
“The maritime industry is at a pivotal moment, with the recognition by the public and government that we need to revitalize this important sector” stated NAMEPA Co-Founder and CEO Carleen Lyden Walker. “For decades we have ignored the criticality of the maritime industry. We plan to address this by looking at innovation, pending legislation, workforce development and safety. It is critical that we act now to secure America’s future.”
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Celebrate excellence and advance industry standards at NAMEPA’s 2025 Safety at Sea Seminar and AMVER Awards. This distinguished event, part of National Maritime Week, brings together maritime professionals dedicated to fostering safety and sustainability in our industry. Engage in enlightening discussions on pivotal topics such as digitalization, cybersecurity, decarbonization, mariner welfare, and the seafarer shortage. Then, conclude the day with the prestigious AMVER Awards ceremony, recognizing outstanding contributions to maritime safety and environmental stewardship.
The past year has seen an acceleration of events that could compromise maritime operations, and therefore global trade. From geopolitical aggression and mechanical failures to cyber intrusions; from climate mitigation to mariner well-being, safety has to be at the forefront of our ecosystem. Join us as we reflect and examine the many facets of Safety at Sea!
| | NAMEPA Washington D.C. Regions | | |
The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) is launching a national effort to advance workforce development in the maritime industry through its continued regional initiative. Maritime stakeholders are invited to join NAMEPA’s Washington, D.C. Regional Gathering on May 21st as part of National Maritime Week to participate in the construction of a national workforce development template.
The session will begin with a review of the progress of MARAD’s workforce development strategy published last year. This will be followed by a spotlight on the Port Houston Partners in Maritime Education (PHPME) program, which has successfully developed and deployed a skilled workforce pipeline for the Houston maritime industry. The PHPME case study will serve as a model for replication to other maritime centers. Additionally, MITAGS will share the strategy of their programs and opportunities within workforce development.
Following these discussions, NAMEPA will present a workforce development template based on this success. This template will be shared for review and feedback with the intent to deploy across NAMEPA’s regional programs nationally including those in D.C.-Metro, California, New England, Florida, NY/NJ, Louisiana and Seattle. The goal is to strengthen pathways from K-12 education to post-secondary opportunities and beyond, ensuring a viable future workforce pipeline for the maritime industry.
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| | Calling all NAMEPA Members! | | |
NAMEPA’s Blue Horizons – Member-Only Networking Webinar is back, and this session is all about Maritime Safety! Join fellow maritime professionals for an engaging discussion on safety culture, technology, and regulatory compliance in the maritime industry. This session will include a special member spotlight from the Founder of SingalFusion, Maria Kolitsida!
Participants will take part in three themed breakout sessions, each tackling critical aspects of maritime safety:
- Building a Strong Safety Culture in Maritime Operations – Explore how organizations apply ISM, STCW, and SOLAS to enhance safety and compliance.
- Technology’s Role in Enhancing Safety – Discuss how automated fatigue monitoring, digital safety tools, and cybersecurity measures are shaping modern safety practices.
- Navigating Safety Regulations and Best Practices – Learn from real-world compliance experiences with MARPOL, USCG inspections, and emissions control strategies.
Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to exchange insights, share best practices, and connect with industry leaders. Register today!
To participate, you, your company, or your organization must be a NAMEPA Member. Not sure if you're a member? Reach out, and we'll be happy to confirm your status! Not a member? Consider joining NAMEPA today!
Contact our Development Director, Gail Nicholas for more information about membership at g.nicholas@namepa.net
Learn more about membership here.
| | New Member: Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) | | |
Please join us in welcoming Norwegian Cruise Line to our NAMEPA community!
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is committed to sustainability through its Sail & Sustain program, focusing on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and marine conservation. The company invests in fuel-efficient ship designs, shore power connections, and explores alternative fuels to lower emissions. NCL also prioritizes waste management by recycling, treating water, and eliminating single-use plastics while sourcing seafood and materials responsibly.
We’re thrilled to have NCL as part of our network and look forward to their contributions to the maritime industry and environmental stewardship.
Welcome aboard Norwegian Cruise Line!
| | Marine Operations Seminar 2025 | | |
The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) hosted its annual Marine Operations Seminar: Operations in a Period of Disruption at the Houston Pilots offices on March 5th. This event brought together maritime professionals, students, and industry leaders to address critical challenges shaping the industry’s future. Conference discussions focused on geopolitical instability, cybersecurity, alternative fuels, maritime security, and workforce development, with subject matter experts offering insights into how industry can navigate through these turbulent times. Industry leaders also shared updates local to Houston, highlighting opportunities for engagement and collaboration within the maritime sector.
Joe Hughes, Chairman of the Managers of The American Club and Chairman of NAMEPA, set the stage with an acknowledgment of the industry’s rapidly evolving landscape. Keith Letourneau, Partner at Blank Rome, delivered the keynote address, “Between the Rhetoric and Reality in Trump’s Administration,” addressing U.S. maritime policies and the broader geopolitical impact on global shipping. He examined the implications of new tariffs, shipbuilding, and the challenges posed by China’s dominance in ship owning and manufacturing. “Over 51% of merchant ships are currently Chinese built,” Letourneau noted, emphasizing the urgent need for the U.S. to bolster its shipbuilding capabilities. He also highlighted the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) proposal which recommends steep fees for Chinese-built and/or owned vessels calling at U.S. ports.
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NAMEPA recently hosted a regional gathering and workshop aboard the HM/V Sam, sponsored by Port Houston. The workshop highlighted the impact of the Port Houston Partners in Maritime Education (PHPME) initiative, emphasizing its unique value and the growing need for similar efforts across the maritime industry and education sectors.
Building on MARAD’s Strategic Plan, which was shared at NAMEPA’s Washington, D.C. Regional Gathering last year, there is a clear opportunity to expand the PHPME model to other maritime port communities. Key takeaways from the discussion included the success of PHPME—largely driven by community engagement and strong industry partnerships, with industry playing a pivotal role. Additionally, the integration of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and the Houston Ship Channel’s strategic location were identified as major assets in the program’s effectiveness.
Participants also explored what it takes to develop and scale such an initiative successfully. To further this effort, NAMEPA is proposing the formation of a working group to create a structured model that incorporates education and outreach, industry engagement, and marketing strategies to drive success.
If you're interested in joining the working group and contributing to this initiative, reach out to Molly to get involved or register to join our Washington, D.C. Gathering and Workshop!
| | Port of the Future Conference April 1st-3rd 2025 | | |
The 2025 Port of the Future ConferenceTM is focused on creating and revitalizing our Nation’s seaports, infrastructure, and processes – across maritime, air, land, and cyber domains. This symposium addresses the urgent and emerging issues facing ports of entry, regulators, and associated industries.
This year’s Conference brings together the leaders of more than 60 seaports from the United States and Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Central and South America to Houston – offering their vast accumulated knowledge and experiences to address the port and maritime industries’ most pressing challenges, formulate viable solutions, highlight innovations, and identify best practices.
The Conference offers free registration to its speakers and to one representative from each participating port. The 2025 Port of the Future ConferenceTM is shaped by new concepts, research and innovation, advances in technology, increased dependence on automation, enhancements in data security and information sharing, and heightened environmental compliance – all impacting the ability to move cargo and people rapidly and securely across international borders.
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NAMEPA is excited to announce that our CEO and Co-Founder Carleen Lyden Walker will be speaking at CMAShipping 2025 on Revolutionizing the US Maritime Industry and OPA 90 Forum!
It’s going to be an incredible three days, filled with unmissable insights, and we can’t wait to share the stage with all the industry leaders. You won't want to miss these conversations as we set path for the future!
Make sure you stop by the NAMEPA Booth to learn all about the incredible work that we have been doing and about how you can become a member!
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Education & Outreach News | | | During NAMEPA's visit to Houston, our Education and Outreach Team engaged with classrooms participating in our Adopt A Ship Program, made possible by the Port Houston Community Grants Program. These enthusiastic 3rd and 4th-grade students explored various maritime careers, learning about the different pathways to enter the industry and the critical role shipping plays in their daily lives—from the food they eat to the clothes they wear. Through interactive discussions and engaging activities, students gained a deeper appreciation for the maritime world. In total, NAMEPA's team connected with over 150 students, inspiring the next generation of maritime professionals | | On Friday March 21st, NAMEPA's Education and Outreach Manager Meghan Reilly participated in Shelton High School's Career Fair brought together by Junior Achievement. NAMEPA had a table filled with our educational materials and where we talked about the importance of the maritime industry, marine pollution, and as well as ways to get into the maritime industry. Meghan talked with over 600 high school students throughout the fair answering questions about NAMEPA and maritime! | | |
NAMEPA is committed to preserving the marine environment and invites you to join us in our efforts to reduce marine debris through organized beach cleanups. These events provide a valuable opportunity for individuals, community groups, and organizations to actively contribute to the health of our coastlines and oceans.
If you are interested in organizing a beach cleanup or would like to learn more about how you can get involved, we encourage you to reach out. Together, we can make a meaningful impact on the reduction of marine waste and promote a cleaner, more sustainable environment for future generations.
Interested in having a beach clean up with your club, organization or company? Contact Education and Outreach Manager, Meghan Reilly at m.reilly@namepa.net.
| | NAMEPA's Annual K-12 Art Contest | | "Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity" | | |
Students in grades K–12 are invited to participate in the annual calendar art contest sponsored by the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA), the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the Inter-American Committee on Ports of the Organization of American States (CIP-OAS). The theme for this year’s contest is “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity” reflecting the ocean’s vital role in the world economy, with more than 80% of global trade transported by sea. The theme reflects the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2025 World Maritime Day Theme, “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity” Submissions will be accepted from students across the Americas (North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean). Students living outside the Americas are welcome to apply, provided they have one or more parents on active duty with the U. S. Coast Guard. Submissions will be accepted from January 20th–April 6th, 2025 at 11:59 PM.
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Calling all educators! Join the race and be a part of The 6th Annual Recycle Regatta! Apply the engineering method and become environmental stewards as you repurpose recyclables into seaworthy vessels! Master buoyancy, engineering, and physics obstacles to race your boat creations to victory.
The Recycle Regatta is a free, fun, hands-on competition for students anywhere and runs from February 10th - April 30th! Build a model sailboat from recycled and repurposed materials and race to victory while discovering engineering, mathematics, sailing, buoyancy, and stewardship.
Classrooms, boating centers, and community organizations are also invited to host their own “Regatta” and submit entries.
The Recycle Regatta is aligned to:
– Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
– Ocean Literacy Principles (OLP)
– Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL)
While also gaining an appreciation for recycling and stewardship, participating students will walk away from the Recycle Regatta with an increased knowledge of:
– Engineering
– Environmental Conservation
– Mathematics
– SEL skills (Teamwork, Confidence, and Perseverance)
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NAMEPA's Adopt A Ship Program has been making waves in the Greater Houston Community. Through Port Houston's Community Grants Program, NAMEPA is connecting elementary and middle school students with seafarers across the world. The Adopt A Ship Program is an engaging, sustainable, and well-developed educational tool that educates students about the importance of shipping and its global impact on our daily lives by connecting classrooms with mariners. Like a pen-pal system, students email a senior officer aboard a ship, facilitated through their teacher, to ask questions and gain insights about life at sea, marine navigation, and the importance of our waterways. Classes that are participating in the program are provided with a world map to track their vessel around the world during their travels!
You can find out more about the Adopt A Ship Program here!
| | Your tax-deductible donation will help us promote sustainable marine industry best practices, preserve the marine environment, and educate the public to Save Our Seas. | |
| Thank you to our Annual Sponsors! | |
Contact Us
(203) 255-4686
contact@namepa.net
www.namepa.net
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