"If my words have any reason to excite you, then tell others about us. Tell them what we did." At 98 years old, WWII Merchant Marine veteran David Yoho delivered a powerhouse of a speech at @USDOT HQ for National Maritime Day.

On Friday, @USDOT hosted National Maritime Day, recognizing the unwavering dedication and sacrifice of the United States Merchant Marine. From honoring the heroes of our past to investing in the maritime leaders of tomorrow, we aren't just admiring maritime history, we're making it. 🇺🇸

#AMMV is appreciative of the recognition for the Outstanding Achievement mariner medals awarded to past and current national officers on National Maritime Day. #DOT #HeaveHo #WeDeliver #MerchantMarine #mariner

Honoring the heroes who helped keep America moving since World War II ⚓️ @DOTMARAD proudly presents the Merchant Marine Medal for Outstanding Achievement to these PATRIOTS for their work preserving the legacy of our mariners 🇺🇸

Today, on National Maritime Day, we gather to honor the undeniable courage, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of the United States Merchant Marine. From peacetime commerce to the frontlines of global conflicts, the strength of our nation relies heavily on the strength of our maritime industry.🇺🇸

“For too long, our merchant mariners have been the unsung heroes of our national security, and our national story.” - @SecDuffy to commemorate National Maritime Day America’s merchant mariners keep: 💵 OUR economy moving ⛽️ OUR energy lines open 🛒 OUR shelves stocked 🪖 and OUR military fully equipped Thank you for all you do for our nation 💪🏼🇺🇸

“As we talk about honoring and remembering, I think there’s no better way to honor and remember than to lean in and REBUILD the industry that America used to DOMINATE.” Under @POTUS’ leadership, @SecDuffy and @USDOT are committed to bringing back AMERICAN MARITIME DOMINANCE 🇺🇸

We are POWERING the NEXT generation of maritime! 🚢⚛️ Yesterday’s Innovation Café was all about the future: Small Modular Reactors! At @usdot , we aren't just watching the transition to nuclear propulsion, we are making it a reality!

Secretary Duffy: “He who controls the seas controls the world!”  @USDOT is leading a technological renaissance and RESTORING MARITIME DOMINANCE

Expert voices. Critical conversations. The POWERS Smart Ports Summit is delivering in Tampa. Today, Elizabeth O'Connor (@DOTMARAD) and Jeff Pollack (@ThePortofCC) tackled the #MaritimeActionPlan and what it means for U.S. ports. #AAPAEvents #SmartPorts

This morning we invited MARAD Administrator Stephen Carmel to be our keynote speaker for our May Special Topic Breakfast. Thank you to Captain Carmel for joining us and giving a detailed overview of current MARAD needs and direction, as well as answering many questions from the audience. Another reminder that America is a maritime nation!

We’re building BIG, BEAUTIFUL INFRASTRUCTURE AGAIN and strengthening American supply chains 🚢 🇺🇸 Construction is officially underway at the Port of Baltimore’s NEW $1.2 BILLION Sparrows Point Container Terminal to turn this historic steel site into a global logistics powerhouse 💪 @DOTMARAD

What does the future of the U.S. maritime industry look like? 🚢🇺🇸 Recently, Deputy Maritime Administrator Sang Yi traveled to New York City to address the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Annual Members' Meeting to answer exactly that. His remarks focused on a defining mission for MARAD: building resilient, forward-looking maritime systems. Together with our industry partners, MARAD is working every day to ensure the U.S. Merchant Marine remains the strongest, safest, and most innovative fleet in the world. 🌊⚓️

Maritime dominance isn’t just a goal—it’s a national security imperative. ⚓🇺🇸 This week at #SeaAirSpace2026, MARAD leadership made one thing clear: a dominant maritime nation requires a powerhouse Merchant Marine. From the main stage, Administrator stephen carmel laid out our strategic roadmap for "Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance." Meanwhile, Chief of Staff Anthony Fisher spoke about turning these plans into progress: focusing on fleet expansion and revitalizing our workforce. The U.S. Maritime Administration is committed to strengthening our U.S.-flag fleet, modernizing our shipyards for the future, supporting the maritime industry, and bolstering our national security. 💪

Thanks to @POTUS and @SecDuffy we are building the systems to restore American maritime dominance.

Over the weekend, I welcomed @DOTMARAD Administrator Stephen Carmel to Ketchikan to witness the surge in shipbuilding and ship maintenance work coming to Alaska businesses. This uptick is being driven by the historic build-up of @USCG and @NOAA vessels in Alaska that we’ve delivered over the past 10 years. Now that Administrator Carmel has spent meaningful time on the ground here, he can be an even more effective federal partner helping us drive this virtuous cycle for the benefit of hard-working Alaska families across our coastal communities.

Thank you to all those in Ketchikan for welcoming the @DOTMARAD Administrator and for showcasing how important Alaska is to America’s maritime strength and national security. It was also great touring the University of Alaska Southeast’s Maritime Training Center—one of the many reasons Ketchikan is so important to Alaska’s maritime industry, as well as our national security. I also appreciated the opportunity to sit down with AIDEA’s board, city officials, sport fishermen, and local small businesses to discuss ongoing economic development, infrastructure, and workforce opportunities. Thank you Ketchikan for another warm welcome!

American Maritime Dominance 🟰 STRONG PORTS 🟰 STRONG SUPPLY CHAINS ⚓️ @DOTMARAD needs YOU! The Port Infrastructure Development Program is accepting applications 🇺🇸👇

Last week, Port Tampa Bay leadership, including President and CEO, Paul Anderson, welcomed Sang Yi, Deputy Administrator, and Elizabeth O’Connor, Chief Counsel, of the @DOTMARAD at the @USDOT for a tour of the port. Our team was honored to host the agency that fosters and promotes the country's maritime industry and share more about our impact at Port Tampa Bay.

From meetings with U.S. carriers and harbor pilots to touring state-of-the-art refineries, it’s clear: President Trump and Secretary Duffy’s vision for a stronger, more resilient maritime sector is delivering results. Through strategic investments, port infrastructure grants, and the expansion of our Marine Highways, we are restoring American maritime dominance and ensuring a prosperous future for all. 🌊💪