b'NEWSWIRENEWSWIRE Senate Confirmation Hearing for MARAD Nominee Steve CarmelT heU.S.SenateCommerce,mel, the presidents nominee to lead theNov. 19, sending his nomination to the Science,andTransportationMaritime Administration (MARAD).full Senate for a vote. Committee held a nominationThe Senate Commerce Committee ap-hearing in late October for Steve Car- proved the nomination of Carmel onCarmel currently serves as President of U.S. Marine Management LLC (USM-MI), in Norfolk, Va. A U.S. Merchant MarineAcademygraduate,hebegan his career as a deck officer and master with Maritime Overseas Corporation and the Military Sealift Command, lat-er holding senior leadership roles with MaerskLine,Limited,theU.S.-flag shipping division of Maersk.Ifconfirmed,Carmelisexpectedto focus on capital access for U.S.-flag op-erators,shipyardmodernization,and maritimeworkforcedevelopmentpriorities closely aligned with the goals of the Passenger Vessel Association.PVAwelcomescontinuedattention to the strength of the U.S. maritime industry and the critical role of MA-RAD in supporting shipyard capaci-ty, domestic vessel construction, and workforce readiness.AsMARADleadershiptransitions, PVAwillcontinuetoadvocatefor programsthatdirectlybenefitthe U.S.-flag passenger vessel industry, in-cluding robust funding for the Small Shipyard Grant Program, the Capital ConstructionFundexpansion,and initiatives that develop the next gener-ation of skilled maritime workers.PHOTO: SARAH FERRETTIFOGHORN 52'