American Association of Port Authorities

06/11/2026

AAPA had a great meeting this week U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Headquarters with D. Lee Forsgren, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, to discuss priorities affecting America's ports and waterways.

AAPA leadership had a productive conversation on maintaining a strong Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, dredging and navigation challenges, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Transformation Initiative, and opportunities to strengthen partnerships between ports and the Corps.

We also appreciated the opportunity to continue collaboration on the infrastructure investments that keep America's ports competitive, resilient, and moving commerce efficiently.

Thank you to Lee and the Civil Works team for a constructive discussion and continued engagement with the port industry.

06/08/2026

One week left to submit for the 2026 AAPA Lighthouse Awards - don't let your organization's work go unrecognized!

If your team has driven innovation, improved operations, or made a measurable impact this year, this is your moment.

Submissions close June 12 across three tracks:
⭐ Port Awards honor achievement across nine specialty areas, with large and small port categories.
⭐ The Beacon of Excellence Award, new for 2026, recognizes one port submission for exceptional innovation and measurable impact.
⭐ The Maritime Innovator of the Year Award celebrates technologies, products, or services advancing port operations, safety, sustainability, or efficiency.

Your work deserves a spotlight. Winners will be recognized in front of the industry at the 115th AAPA Annual Convention, September 28-30, 2026, in New Orleans.

Submit before June 12: bit.ly/Lighthouse26

06/03/2026

Today, AAPA was on Capitol Hill for two key House hearings!
First, our Government Relations team attended the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee hearing on FY27 budget requests from the Maritime Administration - MARAD and the Federal Maritime Commission.
They also attended a full Appropriations Committee markup for the FY27 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Bill, which AAPA strongly supports.
In both committees, Congress is working on legislation that would shape future funding, which is critical to the strength, reliability, and safety of America’s seaports.

06/01/2026

Congratulations to Robert Harvey!
America's ports are pleased to have a fully staffed Federal Maritime Commission now that he has been confirmed by the Senate and sworn in.
We look forward to collaborating with him and his colleagues to strengthen the maritime industry and our nation's supply chains.

Today, Monday, June 1, 2026, Mr. Robert J. Harvey of Florida was sworn in as a Commissioner of the Federal Maritime Commission. Commissioner Harvey was nominated by President Trump on September 3, 2025, to serve on the Commission for a term expiring on June 30, 2029. The United States Senate confirm...

05/25/2026

Today is Memorial Day. We pause to remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to this country. Their bravery, dedication, and selfless commitment to protecting our freedom have shaped the nation we are proud to call home.

We are grateful for all who served, and we honor their memory today and every day.

05/22/2026

President & CEO Sang Yi and AAPA staff attended the Maritime Administration - MARAD celebration at U.S. Department of Transportation headquarters in Washington, D.C. today.

This year's observance, themed "Navigating the Next 250," featured remarks from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Maritime Administrator Stephen Carmel, and U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) Commander Gen. Randall Reed, along with the presentation of Merchant Marine Medals for Outstanding Achievement.

It was a privilege to help recognize the contributions of those who have dedicated their careers to the maritime industry. AAPA also joined Federal Maritime Commission Commissioner Rebecca Dye, former Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Steve Blust, World War II veteran Dave Yoho, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Midshipmen to celebrate the occasion.

05/22/2026

America's ports don't stop, and neither does the maritime workforce powering them. On , AAPA President and CEO Sang Yi writes in the Washington Examiner about what Congress must do to keep pace with our ports.

Read the full op-ed: bit.ly/3PhI2fh.

05/22/2026

Today is National Maritime Day. America's ports are the foundation of our nation's supply chain, connecting U.S. businesses and consumers to the world. None of that happens without the mariners, vessels, and maritime workforce that make it possible every single day.

On National Maritime Day, we honor their work and their commitment to keeping America's commerce moving.

05/21/2026

𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗡𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘀 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽

The ports and maritime industry runs on talent, and the Foundation for the Seaports of the Americas is doing something about it. A brand new scholarship program is here, and AAPA member ports have until 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟲, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 to nominate a student.

This is a direct investment in the next generation of maritime professionals. The scholarship awards $5,000 for every $50,000 in minimum Foundation balance, and the Foundation is just $5,000 away from unlocking a second award.

Eligible students are enrolled in maritime-related academic or workforce programs, including technical and vocational training, certificates, or registered apprenticeships. Nominate a student, make a donation, or do both. The application portal is open now, with awards announced in August 2026.

Learn more at: bit.ly/aapa-foundation-scholarship.

05/20/2026

𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗮 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲! 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟭𝟮

Submissions for the 2026 AAPA Lighthouse Awards are open through June 12, 2026. The program recognizes excellence across the port and maritime industry through three tracks:
⭐ 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 (exclusively for AAPA Port members) honor achievement across nine specialty areas, with large and small port categories.
⭐ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱, new for 2026, recognizes one port submission for exceptional innovation and measurable impact.
⭐ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 (exclusively for AAPA Industry Solution Provider members) celebrates technologies, products, or services advancing port operations, safety, sustainability, or efficiency.

Winners will be recognized at the 115th AAPA Annual Convention, September 28–30, 2026, in New Orleans.

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀: bit.ly/Lighthouse26