Maritime Administration - MARAD

10/20/2026

Thank you to UCAN Power, for the opportunity to discuss how maritime nuclear technology will help us "recapture our maritime dominance!" Listen here: https://rss.com/podcasts/ucanpowerorgpodcast/3247601/

10/20/2026

⚓ If you know a high school senior who plans to serve in U.S.-flag Merchant Marine or any of our Nation's sea services — the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, make sure they know about the Navy League Foundation Scholarship! Read more about eligibility here:

10/19/2026

On October 15, 2026, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) convened an agency-wide Town Hall to host the 56th Annual Awards and Recognition Ceremony, honoring personnel across the organization for exceptional leadership, technical expertise, and dedicated public service.

Sydney Plante, Associate Administrator for Strategic Engagement, opened the ceremony by welcoming attendees and introducing leadership. Maritime Administrator Stephen Carmel and Deputy Administrator Mark Johnson then delivered opening remarks, expressing sincere appreciation to all for their commitment to strengthening national maritime infrastructure and supporting the maritime workforce before transitioning to the recognition portion of the program.

Executive Director Anthony Fisher presented the awards across three major categories:

⚓ EXCELLENCE AWARD
The Excellence Award recognizes individuals who provide exceptional service throughout the organization while advancing MARAD’s overall strategic goals and initiatives.
• Christina Thornton was recognized for outstanding dedication while performing multiple roles to ensure seamless and reliable operations at the Division of Pacific Operations.
• Bruce Keller was recognized for providing technical oversight for a $29.7 million MARAD ship contract supporting the nation's maritime transportation goals.

⚓ MARAD TEAM AWARD
The MARAD Team Award is granted by the Maritime Administrator in recognition of outstanding performance and contributions by groups of employees who have exceeded job requirements.
• The Maritime Workforce Development Team was recognized for leading efforts to assess and improve the nation’s mariner workforce. Accepted on behalf of the team by Chris Wahler. Team members: Kevin Lau, Matt Mueller, and Aaron Meyers.
• The Ship Manager Next Acquisition Team was recognized for successfully awarding 20 Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contracts for Ship Manager Services, representing a portfolio value of $6.2 billion. Accepted on behalf of the team by Bruce Markman. Team members: Robert McDermott, Richard Fontana, Tobin Richmond, Melinda Simmons-Healy, Madeline Hopkins, Lynda Luo, Scott Campbell, Michael Pucci, Hellia Kanzi, David Gonzales, Phillip Miller, Jay Walker, Bryan Welch, Bridget Bonnecarrere, Ryan Barone, Richard Goldthwaite, Ashley Amano, and Tim Tralongo.

⚓ MARAD BRONZE MEDAL INDIVIDUAL AWARD
The Bronze Medal is the highest award the Maritime Administration may independently bestow, granted by the Maritime Administrator for extremely competent performance of official duties.
• William Balding was recognized for sustained performance in his duties as Acting Division Chief for the Logistics Division (MAR-600).
• Jeffrey Flumignan was recognized for exemplary leadership in Return-to-Work readiness and for advancing an enterprise customer resource management modernization tool.

Executive Director Anthony Fisher delivered the closing remarks, expressing gratitude to all honorees for their dedicated service and contributions to MARAD's mission and the American public. 🇺🇸 🚢

10/19/2026

Great to see how Chapman School of Seamanship helps build our maritime future. As one of our newly designated Centers of Excellence, they are part of a nationwide network operating 87 facilities across 28 states and territories, preparing about 58,000 marine professionals annually. 🌊⚓

There’s more than one way to build a career on the water. ⚓
From professional mariners and marine technicians to yacht surveyors and other skilled marine professionals, the marine industry offers a wide range of career paths for people who enjoy working on and around the water.
At Chapman School of Seamanship, hands-on training helps students build practical skills they can take with them into the marine industry.
Explore our professional training programs and see where a career on the water could take you by visiting https://hubs.la/Q04BbL0r0

10/16/2026

Congratulations to Maine Maritime Academy on another successful career fair! ⚓

With 130 companies participating, yesterday's turnout highlights the strong demand for mariners across the entire maritime industry—not just in Maine, but nationwide. 🇺🇸

Maine Maritime Academy is one of six State Maritime Academies across the country, alongside Cal Maritime, Great Lakes Maritime, Mass Maritime, SUNY Maritime, and Texas A&M Maritime. Together, they power our merchant marine and support national security and economic growth.

To learn more about maritime education and career paths, visit the academy websites or head over to: https://www.maritime.dot.gov/maritime-workforce/maritime-education

Check out the video here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ACNRQkgmE/

10/16/2026

Celebrating leadership in the U.S. maritime workforce! 🌊🚢

Congratulations to Cadet Bella Horne on being named a 2026 Women Offshore Horizon Award honoree!

A Marine Transportation major and Deputy Corps Commander at California State University Maritime Academy - Cal Maritime (Cal Poly Maritime Academy) upon graduation Cadet Horne will sail as a Third Mate.

To learn more about her exceptional leadership and experience at Cal Poly Maritime Academy, read the full story:

The award recognizes students, cadets and maritime professionals with fewer than five years of experience who are already making a positive impact while inspiring those around them.

10/14/2026

Congratulations to Captain Darling Gomez for making history, inspiring future mariners and strengthening the U.S. Merchant Marine! 🇺🇸 🚢

Link:

Darling Gomez took command of the OVERSEAS MARTINEZ in June 2026, becoming the first female captain in the OSG fleet. Read her 22-year path to the bridge.

10/13/2026

On Saturday, Deputy Administrator Mark Johnson had the privilege of attending the christening of Matson’s newest vessel, the Makua, at the Hanwha Philly Shipyard.

The Makua is the first of three LNG-ready Aloha-class vessels constructed for Matson's fleet, representing a significant milestone for U.S. commercial shipbuilding and domestic maritime infrastructure.

Congratulations to everyone at Matson, Inc. and Hanwha Philly Shipyard on this remarkable achievement!

A major milestone for Matson! Meet Makua. Over the weekend, Matson christened the first of three new Aloha Class containerships being built at Hanwha Philly Shipyard. We look forward to welcoming Makua into service in 2027. Learn more: https://investor.matson.com/news-releases/news-release-details/matson-christens-next-aloha-class-vessel-makua

10/07/2026

Maritime Dominance in the spotlight! ⚓️

10/06/2026

American shipbuilding is having a moment! 🇺🇸⚓️