Maritime 2026 Annual Review & Outlook
Executive Commentary
“ The unsettled nature of the current trade policies isn’ t allowing manufacturers and supply chain providers consistency within their business operations.”
Jonathan Daniels
“ Rather than viewing a period of deceleration as a setback, the industry should see it as an opportunity to position for the next cycle of growth and expansion.”
Brian Clark
“ Despite bipartisan support, it is my opinion that this is an act that, if not doomed to fail, will struggle to have any significant impact.”
Peter Shaerf investment and sound business decisions is an unstable foundation. True stability can only come from predictable, consistent and rational regulatory frameworks, not from a patchwork of court decisions or reactive changes by the executive branch.
Certainty is never guaranteed, but the current instability shows no sign of abating before 2026. The industry should, in fact, brace for further litigation and heightened uncertainty, as likely forthcoming FMC rulemaking threatens to reshape how shipping and logistics companies conduct business. These factors compound the cost pressures already intensified by rising tariffs. In a business founded on efficiency, we are sailing in the wrong direction.
North Carolina Ports
Brian Clark
Executive Director www. ncports. com
Rather than viewing a period of deceleration as a setback, the industry should see it as an opportunity to position for the next cycle of growth and expansion by refining operations and aligning with partners that increase velocity, mitigate risk and offer flexible, customized solutions.
When supply chains and global trade dynamics are unpredictable, port partners that can pivot and adapt quickly by providing high-touch, dedicated service are essential. We continue to see value in not only maintaining a varied cargo portfolio, limiting exposure to a slowdown in any one sector, but remaining diversified between containers and general cargo. During periods of disruption and global uncertainty, North Carolina Ports has distinguished itself by providing port users and customers with a hands-on, customized approach serving all cargo types— containers, bulk, breakbulk, ro / ro, and project cargo— supported by our core functional teams in operations, business development, IT and finance.
Even amid uncertainty in US shipping, North Carolina Ports remains confident in the Southeast’ s continued
Maryland Port Administration— Port of Baltimore
Jonathan Daniels
Executive Director www. marylandports. com
Container shipping has always been susceptible to geopolitical headwinds. While ports in the US are having to evaluate impacts based on tariffs as well as the financial impacts of shipping based on new fee structures, other ports are having to gear up in order to deal with cargo shifts.
Lines are also dealing with blank sailings and constantly changing vessel routes in order to deal with the downward trend in slot rates. This translates to impacts that ripple throughout the entire supply chain.
Adding another layer to all of this, the unsettled nature of the current trade policies isn’ t allowing manufacturers and supply chain providers consistency within their business operations to make short- or long-term business decisions.
Challenging periods like this are never easy to navigate, but we know from the past that they are temporary, and we will get through them.
expansion, as evidenced by the growing demand for near-port sites supporting heavy manufacturing and import distribution. Investment dollars continue to flow into the region, and year after year, the Southeast remains home to the nation’ s top states for business. Ports throughout the region that stay focused on meeting this demand through both infrastructure improvements and strong customer partnerships will be the most successful once conditions stabilize.
Slower growth demands sharper strategy, and port partners such as North Carolina Ports that can flex, adapt and deliver integrated solutions are essential to moving forward with confidence in a shifting market.
New York Maritime, Inc.
Peter Shaerf
Managing Director, AMA Capital Partners & Chairman, New York Maritime, Inc.( NYMAR) www. nymar. org
The Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security for America Act is more popularly known as the SHIPS Act. This clever acronym might be the most successful part of the whole endeavor.
Despite bipartisan support, it is my opinion that this is an act that, if not doomed to fail, will struggle to have any significant impact.
The aim of the bill is to revitalize American shipbuilding, but the scope of it appears totally retaliatory to the dominance of China. More than one-third of the world’ s commercial tonnage has been built in China, and if you aggregate all the Asian shipbuilding nations( primarily Korea and Japan alongside China) you get to a 90 % dominance.
The SHIPS Act plan is to build 250 ships in 10 years, but the foot not only is not on the accelerator, but the car is not even full of petrol! The shipyards are not capable, the trained manpower does not exist, and the capital is not close to being in place— and won’ t be without massive construction and operating subsidies. Funding through the application of tariffs under S. 301 might create a small kitty, but certainly not enough to fund such an aggressive program.
The need for more military hardware will surely take precedence and delay any commercial shipping growth. The hawks will have their way, and the US military will be adamant in trying
46 Journal of Commerce | January 5, 2026 www. joc. com