• MARAD says bunkering and marine energy are central to US maritime and energy strategy
  • Calls for fuels "available today, scalable tomorrow"
  • Deepwater port licence review times cut by 70%, agency says
  • Small shipyard grants up 300% to $35 million
  • Bunker industry invited to join maritime energy technical working group

Bunkering and marine energy sit "at the absolute core" of the US push to restore its maritime strength and secure energy dominance, Sydney Plante of the US Maritime Administration (MARAD) told the IBIA Annual Convention in New York on Wednesday.

Plante, who serves as MARAD's Acting Associate Administrator for Strategic Engagement, spoke after Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Laura DiBella set out US opposition to the IMO Net-Zero Framework, and drew a line between the two agencies.

"The Maritime Administration's whole goal and its whole statutory obligation is to foster and promote this industry," she said.

"We're not going to regulate anything. We just want to help."

She said the administration recognises that global trade depends on proven, reliable, and commercially viable fuels.

"The maritime industry requires fuels that are available today, scalable tomorrow, and economically sound for the long term," she said.

Plante said the administration is making "historic investments" to expand US energy export and marine fuelling infrastructure, while cutting red tape to get projects moving faster.

As examples, she said MARAD has licensed major deepwater port facilities including Delfin LNG and Blue Marlin Offshore Port, and issued two new records of decision for deepwater port projects last week.

Since an overhaul of the licensing programme, review times have fallen by 70%, she said, with the fastest deepwater port licence review in more than two decades.

In shipbuilding, funding for the Small Shipyard Grant Program has risen to $35 million from $8.75 million, a 300% increase, she added.

Plante also pointed delegates to the US Center for Maritime Innovation, whose maritime energy technical working group tackles fuel and propulsion issues, and invited them to take part.

"Our message is clear: this is an invitation," she said.

"We want you to be involved. You deliver the world's trade. You are essential to national security, and you are the core of international economic success. Be a part of the conversation and make your voices heard, shape your industry the way that you want it to be."