Great Lakes Ports, Shipyards Sign Build Pact
The American Great Lakes Ports Association and the Great Lakes Alliance of Shipyards signed a memorandum of understanding on July 31 to coordinate shipbuilding, port infrastructure and maritime commerce across the Great Lakes.
The American Great Lakes Ports Association (AGLPA) and the Great Lakes Alliance of Shipyards (GLAS) signed a memorandum of understanding on July 31 during AGLPA’s annual conference in Chicago. The agreement marks the first formal partnership between the region’s U.S. port and shipyard communities.
MOU Details
The memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlines collaboration on domestic shipbuilding, vessel repair and modernization, fleet renewal, cargo growth, workforce development and federal maritime policy. It is voluntary and non-binding but establishes a standing framework for the two organizations to work together on shared priorities and federal policy.
Industry Voices
Capt. Paul LaMarre III, president of AGLPA, said the Great Lakes “have long served as one of America’s most strategic maritime gateways, and their continued success depends on the strength of the industries that support them.” He added that bringing ports and shipyards together would help expand American shipbuilding, create skilled jobs and reinforce the region as a key part of the country’s transportation and industrial infrastructure.
Patrick Kelly, CEO of Fraser Industries, signed the agreement on behalf of GLAS. He emphasized that cooperation would expand domestic vessel construction, improve supply-chain resilience, invest in skilled workers and keep the Great Lakes “one of the nation’s premier centers of maritime commerce and industrial capability.”
John A. Witte Jr., president and CEO of Donjon Marine, said closer cooperation could help identify opportunities for new vessel construction, repair and modernization while supporting the commercial activity needed to sustain the Great Lakes maritime economy.
Jan Allman, CEO of Fincantieri Marinette Marine, added that the Great Lakes “have the industrial capacity, skilled workforce, and technical expertise to play a leading role in the resurgence of American shipbuilding.”
Future Outlook
The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway system provides a direct maritime connection between the industrial heartland of the United States and international markets. Strengthening the region’s shipyards and ports could expand that role while supporting broader national efforts to increase U.S. maritime capacity. The MOU also seeks closer coordination on new cargo and export opportunities, as well as investment in port and shipyard infrastructure and recruitment and training of maritime workers.
The coalition is expected to grow, with additional shipyards and maritime organizations potentially joining the partnership in the future with approval from the original signatories. For current regional maritime activity, see the stats page. Port operators can view vessel schedules on the fixtures page.
The MOU is voluntary and non-binding but establishes a standing framework for the two organizations to work together on shared priorities and federal policy.
