Page 16: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 2026)

Conference

Shipbuilding in America @

The Maritime Industry Museum

June 2026 article in the Maritime Reporter & En- A discussion on the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastruc- gineering News featured a column from Rik van ture for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act

Hemmen, CEO, Martin & Ottaway, reminding will draw in legal experts to discuss how this critical legisla-

Areaders that New York City was once a hotbed of tion is impacting the maritime industry. Industry experts will maritime activity. He called for the industry to reconvene in discuss how this act impacts ? nancing ship building, repair, the city to remind ourselves of the importance of New York and suppliers. Can we expect growth, and if so, when? How maritime history. has this legislation impacted the development and upgrades

The Maritime Industry Museum not only heard the call, but to shipyards? In this setting we will also discuss this history is taking action. of shipbuilding and ship repair

On October 20, 2026, the in the New York area. From the

Maritime Industry Museum Shipbuilding in America Conference 2026

Hudson valley region to the

What U.S. Shipbuilding Conference at Fort Schuyler will hold its New York metropolitan area,

Where The Maritime Industry Museum,

Shipbuilding in America Con- New York is a maritime state 6 Penny? eld Ave., Bronx, NY 10465 ference, scheduled to be held in through and through. How has

When October 20, 2026 the Maritime Academic Center our past shaped the present and

Why New York City is a traditional maritime powerhouse, with ship and boat owners, ship of SUNY Maritime College. our future?

and boat builders in close proximity, plus

This venue is an ideal spot for In a panel led by Bob Kun- the ? nancial, legal and educational support executives from industry, aca- kel we will further explore the organizations. A keen focus from the U.S. demia and government to con- industry and what needs to be

Federal Government to revitalize the entire U.S. vene to discuss critical topics ? xed. According to Kunkel: maritime market has energized the sector.

a? ecting the shipbuilding and When two markets blur, their

Register https://maritimeindustrymuseum.betterworld.

ship repair sector in and around traditional boundaries dissolve, org/events/shipbuilding-america the United States, with panel- creating overlap where partici- ists examining shipbuilding pants, products, or regulations and ship repair at the national and regional levels. from one market bleed into the other. This “blurring” can

Today, while there is much focus from the Federal Gov- be driven by technology, legislation, or evolving customer ernment level on rebuilding the entire U.S. maritime indus- needs. U.S shipbuilding serves one country as one customer. try, the challenges to rebuild the U.S. shipbuilding sector are Far East shipbuilding serves more than twenty. Our shipbuild- steep – led by labor shortages and still-fragile domestic supply ing capacity does not have to “compete” with China – it is chains. But for the ? rst time in more than a generation, there is divergence of an incomplete market which has resulted in the political focus paid directly to the industry, with a healthy insu? cient allocation of resources. The panel will address in? ux of technology companies bringing new-generation the reports of an insu? cient trained workforce, the timing of technologies to address the gaps. Naval support vessel deliveries opening foreign construction

These events bring together the shipyards, the suppliers, the discussions, the development of Vessel construction manage- labor unions and other key stakeholders to discuss strategies ment (VCM) in both commercial & naval contracts and the and to coordinate training programs and build a more resilient e? ort and technology needed to correct the historic problems industrial base. How can we take lessons from the U.S. Navy before investment occurs in massive capacity growth. and transfer them to the commercial sector? We will hear from The conference will provide a venue to meet with own-

U.S. shipyards such as Bayonne Dry Dock on how it is grow- ers/operators, yards, legal experts, and talent from across the ing its business while maintaining and growing its workforce. country. This will be an excellent opportunity to meet with

Another panel will examine the SHIPS Act to determine its cadets and students from SUNY Maritime college to ? nd your impact to date. next star employee. 16 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • August 2026

MR #8 (1-17).indd 16 MR #8 (1-17).indd 16 8/6/2026 3:05:27 PM8/6/2026 3:05:27 PM