On February 13, 2026, the White House released the Maritime Action Plan, outlining a national strategy focused on sealift readiness, maritime workforce development, industrial base resilience, and stronger public-private collaboration.
The Mariners for America Conference 2026 directly supports these priorities.
As a leading maritime industry conference, the event brings together government agencies, maritime operators, labor organizations, educators, and policy leaders to address the most urgent challenges facing the U.S. maritime sector.
Supporting Sealift Readiness and Workforce Development
The Maritime Action Plan emphasizes strengthening America’s sealift capability and sustaining a qualified U.S. mariner workforce. The Mariners for America Conference advances these objectives through:
- Focused discussions on mariner recruitment and retention
- Strengthening maritime education and credentialing pathways
- Policy alignment between federal agencies and industry stakeholders
- Collaboration between commercial operators and training institutions
By fostering strategic dialogue and actionable solutions, the conference reinforces national security readiness and long-term maritime competitiveness.
Building Cross-Sector Maritime Partnerships
A central theme of the Maritime Action Plan is public-private collaboration. The Mariners for America Conference provides a platform for cross-sector engagement, ensuring that education, labor, industry, and government efforts remain aligned with evolving operational demands.
This collaborative approach strengthens:
- The U.S. maritime industrial base
- Credentialed mariner pipelines
- Workforce sustainability strategies
- Operational readiness across commercial and government fleets
Conference Details
The Mariners for America Conference 2026 will be held:
📍 Maritime Conference Center – Linthicum Heights, Maryland
📅 March 30 – April 1, 2026
Register before March 1 and take advantage of the Early-Brid Discount. Discounts are available for employees of government agencies and non-profit organizations. Discounted rates are offered for employees of government agencies and nonprofit organizations.
To learn more about the Mariners for America Conference, contact [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mariners for America Conference 2026?
The Mariners for America Conference 2026 is a national maritime industry conference that brings together government, labor, education, and commercial maritime leaders to address workforce development, sealift readiness, and maritime policy alignment.
How does the conference support the Maritime Action Plan?
The conference aligns with the White House Maritime Action Plan by advancing discussions on sealift readiness, U.S. mariner workforce sustainability, maritime education pathways, and public-private collaboration.
Who should attend the Mariners for America Conference?
The conference is designed for maritime professionals, policymakers, educators, vessel operators, workforce development leaders, and industry stakeholders involved in U.S. maritime operations and training.
Where is the Mariners for America Conference held?
The event takes place at the Maritime Conference Center on the MITAGS campus in Linthicum Heights, Maryland.
Why is maritime workforce development important?
A strong U.S. mariner workforce is essential for national security, commercial shipping operations, and sustaining America’s maritime industrial base.
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