CONFERENCE RECAPS
appropriations of $35 million for the Small Shipyard Grant Program represent progress, though Hein indicated more investment is needed to fully reclaim maritime industrial strength. Gateway offices as connectors MARAD’s regional gateway offices serve as liaisons between federal leadership and local industry. Hein’s Mid- Pacific Gateway, based in Long Beach, covers California, Hawaii, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa, while a Pacific Northwest Gateway serves Oregon, Washington and Alaska. Because MARAD is a small agency, Hein said ongoing communication is essential. Gateway offices relay informa- tion between ports and MARAD headquarters, support grant navigation and coordinate security exercises. “There’s a lot of back and forth,” he explained, describing his role as both advocate and conduit for port priorities. In closing, Hein encouraged attendees to engage directly with MARAD’s delegation during the conference. “Please avail yourself of that tremendous brain trust for our grant programs,” he said, referring to his colleagues in grants management, legal counsel and environmental compliance. Ultimately, Hein returned to the collaborative theme that defined the session. In a maritime system that stretches from island communities to major gateway ports, partnership remains the foundation. As he put it, the goal of gatherings like APP is “connecting the dots” — ensuring that every pro- ject, every port and every vessel contributes to a stronger, safer and more resilient marine transportation system.
multimodal BUILD program. Hein added that FEMA’s Port Security Grant Program, while outside of MARAD’s domain, remains an important tool for enhancing port resilience. Workforce and shipbuilding challenges Hein acknowledged the growing challenge of workforce recruitment, particularly in seafaring careers. Speaking about Ready Reserve Force crews, he observed, “It is really hard to get young people now to want to embark on a career or a life that involves going to sea.” Programs such as Military to Mariner, student incentives and internships aim to rebuild the talent pipeline. Shipbuilding capacity is another strategic concern. Hein recalled how the United States once produced ships at extraordinary speed during World War II and stressed the need to revitalize domestic shipyards. Recent congressional APP President Conchita Taitano presents speaker gifts to Gus Hein and David Bohnet, MARAD.
Stronger together... The APP brings together ports across the Pacific region, creating opportunities to exchange ideas, share best practices, and learn from peers facing similar operational, regulatory, and environmental issues. Whether you’re managing a major gateway port handling millions of TEUs or a smaller harbor serving island communities, the APP offers the opportunity to collaborate with your peers to accelerate problem-solving. Building partnerships throughout the Pacific Visit www.pacificports.org to learn more about the benefits of membership.
Contact: Jane McIvor jane@pacificports.org | 1+604-893-8800
ASSOCIATION OF PACIFIC PORTS
38 — PACIFIC PORTS — March 2026
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