Commissioner Maffei Visits Mobile, Alabama to Assess Maritime Priorities and Industry Innovation

Commissioner Maffei traveled to Mobile, Alabama, to learn the impact on maritime priorities and initiatives that have been prioritized by President Trump in his Executive Order Restoring America's Maritime Dominance.

On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, Commissioner Maffei met with Larry Ryder from Austal USA to better understand manufacturing of aluminum and steel ships.

Later that day, he met with Garrett Rice of Master Boat Builders, a family-owned shipbuilding company that has been in the shipbuilding industry for over 40 years. At Master Boat Builders, Commissioner Maffei learned how local shipyards are innovating in the area of domestic shipbuilding.

Commissioner Maffei later visited AIDT Maritime Training, where workers may complete a highly specialized shipbuilding program in under four months.

On Wednesday, September 17, 2025, Commissioner Maffei observed port operations at APM Terminals at the port of Mobile, AL, the second-largest port for container imports on the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Daniel B. Maffei is a Commissioner at the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission. The thoughts and comments expressed here are his own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Commission.