HOUSTON, TX – February 27th, 2025 — The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) has filled out the agenda for the Marine Operations Seminar “Operating in a Period of Disruption”, with an incredible lineup of speakers! The seminar will take place on March 5th at the Houston Pilots headquarters.
The event will commence with a networking luncheon followed by a welcome from the Presiding Officer of the Houston Pilots, Captain Clint Winegar. The Chairman of the Managers of the American Club and Chairman and of NAMEPA, Joe Hughes, will give opening statements.
The keynote address by Keith Letourneau, Partner at Blank Rome, will offer an in-depth examination of maritime policy under the Trump administration, navigating the line between rhetoric and reality.
Following the keynote, we will delve into navigating disruptions in cybersecurity, digitalization, automation, and risk management within maritime operations. Moderated by Angeliki Zisimatou, Director of Cybersecurity at ABS, the discussion will feature Max Bobys, Vice President and Practice Leader at HudsonCyber, exploring cybersecurity threats and defenses; Mauricio Garrido, President of T&T Salvage, addressing digitalization; and Joe Hughes, Chairman of the managers of The American Club, shedding light on risk management strategies.
Transitioning to the future of maritime energy, a session moderated by Jan Hagen Andersen of DNV will tackle the adoption and infrastructure challenges of alternative fuels. David Cummins, President & CEO of Blue Sky Maritime Coalition, will outline foundational strategies, while Andy Morgans, Sustainability Program Manager at Port Houston, will discuss hydrogen and electric solutions. Donnie Brown, Senior Vice President of Maritime Policy at CLIA, will focus on LNG as a viable alternative, and Mario Haldenwang, Salvage Master from SMIT Salvage Americas, will address response preparedness for future fuels.
Maritime security and its critical role in national security will also be a focal point of the seminar discussions. RADM James Watson (USCG Ret.) and Carleen Lyden Walker, Co-Founder and CEO of NAMEPA, will engage in a thought-provoking discussion on the SHIPS Act and the strategic importance of U.S. maritime leadership, based on their book Zero Point Four – How US Leadership in Maritime will Secure America’s Future.
As workforce development remains essential to sustaining the industry, the Port Houston Partners in Maritime Education (PHPME) initiative will be highlighted in a session moderated by Molly Dushay, Executive Director of NAMEPA. Industry leaders and educators including Jacquie Young-Hall of Port Houston, John Stauffer of San Jacinto College, Captain Nate Swerdlin of Texas City Independent School District, Sharon Beemer of PHPME, and Robert Bruce of Chevron will discuss strategies to cultivate and support the next generation of maritime professionals.
Regional updates will follow in a segment titled “Houston Happenings,” featuring insights from USCG, Captain Winegar of the Houston Pilots, Brian Cosgrove of the Houston Maritime Center & Museum, and Meghan Reilly of NAMEPA, who will provide an update on the Adopt A Ship Program and its future developments.
The conference will conclude with reflections from Joe Hughes, Chairman of the managers of The American Club and NAMEPA, reinforcing the importance of collaboration and innovation in navigating industry challenges.
The Marine Operations Seminar is made possible with support from sponsors including, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), The American Club, Blank Rome, Cargill, DNV, Donjon Marine Company, Dorian LPG, Fairfield Chemical Carriers, Navios, T&T Salvage, The Pasha Group, and Scorpio Group.
To become a sponsor, please contact Gail Nicholas, Development Director at g.nicholas@namepa.net
Register now and view the developing agenda, speaker profiles, and sponsors here! 2025 Marine Operations Seminar – NAMEPA
About NAMEPA
The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) was officially launched in 2007. NAMEPA is a maritime industry-led organization of environmental stewards preserving the marine environment by promoting sustainable marine industry best practices and educating seafarers, students, and the public about the need and strategies for protecting global ocean, lake, and river resources. For more information, visit www.namepa.net.