| Where Fleet Management Meets Maritime Technology |
| High Hopes- August 6 2026 |
These past months have seen an accelerated pathway developing for the revitalization of our US maritime industry. From the SHIPS for America Act, to the Maritime Action Plan, to the elements relating to maritime that passed the House NDAA bill.
We are seeing allies align to support these efforts, with Korean shipbuilders partnering with US entities to share technology and create growth. There is also the acceleration of US technology on the water as seen by Saronic and Anduril’s initiatives.
Much of the work we have seen to date has related to much needed defense support. While this is greatly important activity, it is mission critical that our commercial maritime vulnerabilities are also addressed. While applauding the strides being taken so support our military needs, we have real commercial necessities as well.
It is vital that our commercial industry receives the same level of intention and support as that being experienced by the DoW. As MARAD’s Captain Steve Carmel is advocating, we need to build the SYSTEM wide industry that will support today’s requirements as well as tomorrow’s.
While hope is not a strategy, I have high hopes that we will achieve this goal! There is recognition of the need, there is government interest in supporting this revitalization and putting the US back on the maritime map, there is financing available for supportable projects, and there is commercial opportunity.
What is needed is alignment of industry, and that is the goal of PROJECT 2027- Catalyzing the US Maritime Industry into Action this October in Houston powered by AMIC (American Maritime Industrial Coalition). To bring the stakeholders together to discuss and develop strategies and actionable plans turning goals into reality. We need the content for a PROJECT 2027 document that will define the way forward leading to success!
I have high hopes for our ability to leverage this opportunity. Don’t you?
Carleen Lyden Walker
Chief Evolution Officer
SHIPPINGInsight
IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassador
+1 203 255 4686 (o)
+1 203 260 0480 (m)
c.walker@shippinginsight.com
www.shippinginsight.com
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