National Maritime Week Leadership Forum Findings Establish Roadmap for Cargo Growth, Workforce Development, Shipbuilding Modernization, and Innovation

SHIPPINGInsight, the American Maritime Industrial Coalition (AMIC), and SuRe Strategy Group have released a new white paper, Identifying the Ecosystem for Revitalizing the U.S. Maritime Industry, capturing the key findings and strategic recommendations that emerged from the National Maritime Week Leadership Forum held May 20, 2026, in Washington, D.C by SHIPPINGInsight and AMIC.

The report synthesizes presentations, panel discussions, leadership roundtables, and policy insights from government officials, industry executives, shipbuilders, workforce leaders, academics, and technology innovators who gathered to address one of the nation’s most pressing economic and national security challenges: rebuilding America’s maritime industrial base.

The forum was organized around Maritime Administrator Stephen Carmel’s “ecosystem thesis,” which claims that maritime revitalization requires more than individual technologies or isolated investments, it requires the development of an integrated maritime system capable of supporting long-term U.S. economic competitiveness and national security.

“America’s maritime future will not be determined by a single policy, technology, or investment,” said Dr. Beatriz Canamary, Co-Founder of AMIC and author of the report. “The discussions captured in this paper demonstrate that revitalization requires coordinated action across cargo generation, logistics architecture, workforce development, shipbuilding capacity, and innovation. Policy momentum exists. The challenge now is execution.”

The white paper identifies five key conclusions that emerged across the day’s discussions:

· Maritime revitalization must be approached as a system-wide challenge rather than a collection of independent initiatives.

· Predictable cargo demand is the foundational driver that enables investment in vessels, shipyards, workforce development, and innovation.

· The United States’ competitive advantage lies in advanced technologies, innovation, autonomy, digitalization, and next-generation vessel systems rather than competing solely on shipbuilding costs.

· Commercial and defense maritime capabilities are inseparable components of a single industrial ecosystem.

· The current legislative and policy environment presents a unique opportunity for meaningful maritime revitalization that requires immediate industry engagement.

Featured speakers included Maritime Administrator Stephen Carmel; Senator Todd Young (R-IN), Senate co-sponsor of the SHIPS for America Act; RADM James Watson, USCG (Ret.); Dr. Beatriz Canamary of AMIC; Dr. Elspeth McMahon of Old Dominion University; Steve Brock of the U.S. Shipbuilding Coalition; and David Walker of ABS.

The report also highlights the growing drive behind the SHIPS for America Act and examines how provisions such as expanded cargo preference, the Maritime Security Trust Fund, and the Strategic Commercial Fleet could serve as foundational mechanisms for rebuilding U.S.-flag shipping capacity and strengthening domestic shipbuilding.

A periodic theme throughout both the panel discussions and leadership roundtables was the need for long-term predictability. Participants consistently identified stable cargo demand, sustained investment, workforce awareness, and policy certainty as critical factors in attracting capital and accelerating maritime growth.

The white paper concludes by announcing Project 2027: Catalyzing the U.S. Maritime Industry to Action, a continuing initiative led by SHIPPINGInsight and AMIC that will carry the conversation forward during SHIPPINGInsight’s October 13th and 14th conference and leadership roundtable in Houston. The initiative will focus on Maritime Prosperity Zones, shipbuilding and industrial capacity, workforce and education, cargo and U.S.-flag carriage, and strengthening the public profile of the maritime industry.

“Revitalization of the US maritime industry requires a whole of industry approach, as well as whole of government”, observed SHIPPINGInsight CEO Carleen Lyden Walker. “Project 2027 needs to be developed so that we can take action immediately. Our national, energy, and economic security cannot wait.” The full white paper is available through AMIC’s website, which can be found here.

About SHIPPINGInsight

SHIPPINGInsight is a premier maritime technology, innovation, and leadership forum dedicated to advancing collaboration and practical solutions across the maritime industry. Through conferences, leadership roundtables, and strategic partnerships, SHIPPINGInsight

brings together stakeholders from across the maritime ecosystem to address critical industry challenges and opportunities.

About the American Maritime Industrial Coalition (AMIC)

The American Maritime Industrial Coalition (AMIC) is an industry-led coordination platform focused on strengthening the U.S. maritime industrial base through collaboration across shipbuilding, manufacturing, supply chains, workforce development, and investment. AMIC facilitates industry working groups, produces maritime industrial research, and supports initiatives designed to strengthen America’s maritime competitiveness.