Washington Waves: Oct. 24, 2025 Waterway News From D.C.

Stephen Carmel, nominated by President Donald Trump to lead the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration, told a key Senate committee that his generation cannot stand on the sidelines and passively watch “our noble industry die.”

“We will be the generation that rebuilt it, stronger, smarter, faster and ready,” Carmel said, admitting the United States is a formidable naval power but not yet a true maritime power. “A strong maritime sector is not nostalgia. It’s strategy. It means resilient supply chains we control, credible logistics for our joint forces, good jobs across our coasts, rivers and Great Lakes, and the freedom to move what America needs, when and where America needs it, under our own flag.”

During the hearing, Carmel and members of the Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee seemed to find common ground during exchanges on restoring U.S. maritime security, shipbuilding and the importance of civilian cargo.

When pressed by Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) on canceled port projects and other actions by the Trump administration, Carmel said he was not a member of the administration when those decisions were made and needed more time, once confirmed, to weigh in on those decisions.

A 1979 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Carmel earned his master’s license and commanded ships that traveled around the world. He has held several executive positions with Maersk Line, Limited, a U.S. flag subsidiary of one of the world’s largest shipping companies. Carmel later became president of U.S. Marine Management following the acquisition by Maritime Partners, the leading Jones Act provider of vessel leasing and construction financing.

The Senate committee also took up the nominations of Floridians Laura DiBella and Robert Harvey to serve on the Federal Maritime Commission and Timothy Petty of Indiana to become assistant secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Government Shutdown Update

As the government shutdown ended its third week with both sides dug in, blaming each other and repeating their familiar talking points, the National Maritime Center announced the following mitigation measures related to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMCs) and Medical Certificates.

For MMCs, pursuant to STCW Article VIII, dispensations may be granted for continued service for mariners operating on endorsements that expired on or after October 1, provided a renewal application has been submitted to the NMC and the employer has applied to the Coast Guard for dispensation. STCW dispensations that are approved will expire as late as March 31, 2026. Once the STCW dispensation letter is issued, mariners must carry the letter and a copy of the related bulletin with their MMC.

Requests for dispensation must be submitted via email with the subject line “STCW Dispensation” to STCWDispensations@uscg.mil. Requests must include the vessel name, IMO number, ship tonnage, mariner name, mariner reference number, capacity per STCW regulations, credential issuance and expiration dates, company name, company point of contact and a valid mariner email address.

For medical certificates, in accordance with STCW Regulation I/9, when the STCW expiration date of a medical certificate occurs during a voyage, the certificate remains valid until the earlier of the next U.S. port of call or 3 months from the expiration date.

For questions regarding credentialing issues related to national defense, marine employers are advised to contact the Customer Service Center. For additional questions, contact the Customer Service Center via the NMC online chat system, by emailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).

Executive Order

Trump recently signed Executive Order 14356 establishing policies and procedures in federal hiring to ensure it is consistent with the priorities of his administration.

Trump’s order generated reactions ranging from concerns that it would further politicize the hiring process for federal employees to predictions it would bring about little change since it follows what already takes place in filling job vacancies.

Under the order, agencies are required to establish a strategic hiring committee to approve the creation or filling of each vacancy to ensure that hiring also is consistent with the national interest.

Agencies must prepare an annual staffing plan, in coordination with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), to ensure that new career appointments are in the highest-need areas and aligned with the administration’s priorities. Agencies must submit updates to OPM and OMB at the beginning of each quarter, starting with the second quarter of the 2026 fiscal year.

Trump’s order states it does not apply to the Executive Office of the President, non-career positions requiring presidential appointment or Senate confirmation, non-career positions in the Senior Executive Service, Schedule C or Schedule G positions in the excepted service, military personnel of the Armed Forces, positions related to immigration enforcement, national security, or public safety, and appointment of officials through temporary organization hiring authority pursuant.

New DOT Council

The Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the establishment of the Beautifying Transportation Infrastructure Council, which will advise the secretary on enhancing the aesthetic value of the nation’s transportation systems. DOT also is soliciting nominations for membership of the council.

Due by November 21, nominations should include Docket No. DOT-OST-2025-1194 and may be submitted via www.regulations.gov, by mail at Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001 or by hand delivery at 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC.

For additional information, contact Julianne Schwarzer at 617-999-9667 or BeautifyTransportation@dot.gov.