WASHINGTON DC – MARCH 24, 2025 — 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.”
A Week of Maritime Industry Collaboration
National Maritime week will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders for discussions that drive innovation, revitalization, and safety. The week’s key events include:
- May 20th: To kick off National Maritime Week, industry will come together for a Day of Innovation and Collaboration.
- Center for Maritime Innovation: Hosted by the Center for Maritime Innovation and, this event will focus on industry advancements and leadership. We plan to see key industry and government officials joining in on the conversation.
- Blue Sky Maritime Coalition: Blue Sky Maritime Coalition will host their session in the afternoon, focusing on advancements in the maritime industry.
- May 21st: In the morning, the Maritime Accelerator for Resilience will host a session featuring the current legislation being considered to revitalize our US maritime industry. Senator Mark Kelly, and proposer of the SHIPS Act, is invited to share what needs to be done to get the legislation passed, and our country working to implement its sweeping changes. Authors of ZERO POINT FOUR– How US Leadership in Maritime will Secure America’s Future will share their suggestions on how to rebuild the fleet including the workforce.
- That afternoon, NAMEPA’s Regional Gathering and Workshop on Workforce Development will convene industry leaders, educators, and stakeholders to discuss progress on MARAD’s workforce development strategy. The session will also provide an opportunity for feedback on NAMEPA’s workforce development template model, shaping future initiatives.
- May 22nd: The week will culminate with MARAD’s celebration of National Maritime Day in the morning, followed by NAMEPA’s Safety at Sea Seminar, a cornerstone event highlighting critical maritime safety discussions. This gathering will feature the presentation of the USCG’s AMVER Awards, recognizing the exceptional commitment of the shipping community to safety and rescue at sea.
About National Maritime Week
Each year, the United States celebrates National Maritime Day on May 22, commemorating the maiden transatlantic voyage of the SS Savannah in 1819. This day recognizes the vital role of the American maritime industry in supporting the nation’s economy and security while honoring those dedicated to the sector. Recognizing that a single day is not enough to reflect the industry’s vast impact, National Maritime Week was launched in 2024 to foster unity and progress across the maritime community. By bringing together leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders, the initiative promotes collaboration and innovation to strengthen the industry’s future.
Recognizing Safety at Sea and AMVER
The AMVER Awards Program, established in 1971, honors vessels that participate in the AMVER system, supporting global search and rescue operations. The program continues to receive strong support from the international maritime industry, underscoring its critical role in safety at sea.
Sponsors of NAMEPA’s Safety at Sea and AMVER Awards include ABS, The American Club, Blank Rome, Cargill, DNV, Dorian LPG, Fairfield Chemical Carriers, Navios, The Pasha Group, Scorpio Group and SignalFusion.
National Maritime Week Supporting Organizations:
- American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)
- American Waterways Operators
- Association of Ship Brokers and Agents (ASBA)
- BIMCO
- Blue Sky Maritime Coalition
- Connecticut Maritime Association Shipping
- Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA)
- Columbia River Steamship Operators’ Association Inc. (CRSOA)
- International Propeller Club
- INTERTANKO
- Maritime Association of Port NY and NJ (MAPONY)
- Maritime Exchange of Puget Sound
- International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots (MM&P)
- Maritime Institute for Research and Industrial Development (MIRAID)
- WISTA USA
About NAMEPA: The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (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.