WASHINGTON, DC — National Maritime Week 2026 concluded with strong momentum, record engagement, and a week of standing-room-only discussions, collaborative workshops, networking events, and industry-wide conversations focused on the future of the American maritime industry, with over 1000 individuals attending sessions and events throughout the week.
Held throughout Washington, DC from May 19–22, this year’s National Maritime Week programming brought together leaders from government, maritime industry, shipbuilding, workforce development, innovation, environmental stewardship, logistics, energy, finance, and education to advance discussions around the revitalization of America’s maritime industrial base, and to honor the men and women and their dedication to the maritime industry.
The week began on Tuesday, May 19 with Blue Sky Maritime Coalition’s Working Session, hosted by ABS at their Washington DC Offices, for collaborative discussions centered on practical decarbonization strategies, industry alignment, and the evolving realities of maritime sustainability and competitiveness.
That afternoon, the U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation (USCMI) hosted its Innovation Café, with opening remarks by MARAD Administrator Stephen Carmel, convening innovators, researchers, startups, and maritime stakeholders for discussions surrounding emerging technologies and the future maritime innovation ecosystem.
National Maritime Week also included an informal networking baseball outing with the Washington Nationals playing the New York Mets, which brought together maritime professionals, fostering relationship-building and cross-sector engagement outside of formal programming.
On Wednesday, May 20, SHIPPINGInsight, in partnership with AMIC – American Maritime Industrial Coalition, hosted their leadership roundtable, “Revitalizing the American Maritime Industry: Next Steps,” at the American Bureau of Shipping offices in Washington, DC. The event featured keynote speakers such as Maritime Administrator Stephen Carmel and Senator Todd Young (R-IN), focused on MARAD’s pillars for maritime revitalization, including cargo generation, workforce development, shipyard modernization, resilient logistics architecture, and innovation ecosystems.
Industry and government leaders emphasized that the conversation has shifted beyond policy discussion toward operational execution, investment alignment, and collaborative implementation across the maritime sector.
That same afternoon, NAMEPA’s Workforce Development Workshop focused discussions on maritime career pathways, education, retention, and the future maritime workforce pipeline, where the audience heard from industry professionals such as “Navy Bob” Roncska and Jacquie Young Hall of Port Houston.
Wednesday evening, the National Association of Waterfront Employers held a National Maritime Week reception in the Longworth Building, with members and collaborators of NAWE congregated in the House Room to discuss the recent success of NAWE.
On Thursday, May 21, the day started with panel discussions hosted by American Biofuels Maritime Initiative, with speakers from across the industry to discuss the future of shipping, and the policies of the sector’s future. In the afternoon, NAMEPA’s Safety at Sea Seminar saw overwhelming participation, with standing-room-only. The program highlighted operational safety, environmental stewardship, leadership, and the importance of maintaining a strong culture of safety throughout the maritime industry. NAMEPA was joined by Captain Robert Compher of the United States Coast Guard, who awarded the AMVER and Benkert Awards to recipients during the program. Thursday evening concluded with a networking reception, hosted by The Propeller Club of the Port of Washington DC, at the Hart Senate Office Building.
The week concluded Friday, May 22, with a full house at the U.S. Department of Transportation headquarters for MARAD’s National Maritime Day Celebration. The event featured remarks by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Maritime Administrator Stephen Carmel and honored the indispensable role of the U.S. Merchant Marine and broader maritime industry in advancing national security, economic resilience, and global trade.
Collectively, National Maritime Week 2026 demonstrated growing industry strength and reinforced the maritime sector’s increasing focus on collaboration, execution, and workforce development at a pivotal moment for the United States.
“This year’s National Maritime Week was profound in its demonstration of the importance of our industry to the strength and prosperity of the United States” stated NAMEPA’s Carleen Lyden Walker who initiated this program two years ago. “Each year gets more robust as attention is focusing on the role maritime plays in national, economic and energy security. Our nation needs to work collectively to achieve the goals set out in the Maritime Action Plan to secure our nation’s future leadership and global role.”
As conversations continue beyond Washington, organizers expect the partnerships, initiatives, and working relationships strengthened during National Maritime Week to continue shaping maritime strategy and industry action throughout the year.
Featured Image: SHIPPINGInsight’s Roundtable workshop