From Buzzards Bay to Beijing — this week was all about maritime strategy in motion.
Lauren recaps highlights from the Second Annual Massachusetts Maritime Strategy Conference, where federal and state leaders worked to align the Commonwealth with other states developing maritime strategies. From workforce pipelines to new ideas like a State House Office of Maritime Affairs, momentum is building.
She also breaks down today’s USTR deadline on suspending the Section 301 China vessel and port fees — explaining who actually paid (hint: not shippers), why the pause matters, and what to watch next.
⚓ Long Summary
This week, strategy met reality — in two different arenas.
Lauren dives into the Second Annual Massachusetts Maritime Strategy Conference, where state and federal leaders gathered at Massachusetts Maritime Academy to chart the next chapter of the Commonwealth’s maritime future.
From the federal panel featuring Bill Doyle, USCG Rear Adm. (ret.) John Mauger, and Bill Golden to the brainstorming session that generated bold ideas — a possible YouTube campaign to promote the industry, a dedicated Office of Maritime Affairs, and ideas for incentives for ship repair jobs — the day’s energy was unmistakable.
And the conversation hit home when Boston Ship Repair posted a photo of its idle dry dock and tagged MARAD, MSC, and NAVSEA — a reminder of why state-based maritime strategies matter. As Lauren puts it: “We need quick, clear menus of what each state can offer — because when federal funding is ready, it needs a place to go.”
Then she turns to Washington, where the U.S. Trade Representative is closing public comments today on the Section 301 suspension — pausing the China-built and China-operated vessel fees for one year.
Lauren explains why shippers largely avoided the cost (as carriers like COSCO and OOCL absorbed it), how the policy became a targeted pressure point, and why this “pause” is really a strategic timeout.
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