White House Maritime Action Plan Shows OMSA Leadership on Regulatory Reform
•February 20, 2026
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Why It Matters
By streamlining rules and investing in talent and facilities, the plan positions American maritime operators to compete more effectively in global markets and sustain long‑term industry growth.
Key Takeaways
- •White House releases America's Maritime Action Plan
- •Plan targets regulatory reform, infrastructure, workforce
- •OMSA backs removal of duplicate inspections
- •Coast Guard adopts Portable Accommodation Module policy
- •Goal: boost U.S. vessel competitiveness globally
Pulse Analysis
The Biden administration’s America’s Maritime Action Plan marks the most comprehensive federal effort in years to revitalize the United States’ maritime sector. By foregrounding three pillars—regulatory reform, infrastructure investment, and workforce development—the plan signals that maritime policy is now a national priority. Reducing “redundant, obsolete, or unduly burdensome” rules aims to streamline compliance for U.S.-flagged vessels while preserving safety standards. This shift reflects growing pressure from industry groups that argue excessive paperwork and overlapping inspections erode competitiveness against foreign-flag operators.
OMSA has positioned itself as a leading advocate for these reforms, leveraging its long‑standing campaign to eliminate duplicate inspections and certification requirements. The association’s influence was evident in June when the Coast Guard adopted a new Portable Accommodation Module (PAM) policy, a direct outcome of OMSA‑led lobbying that trimmed unnecessary oversight while maintaining safety oversight. By allowing authorized agents or classification societies to verify compliance, the policy reduces vessel downtime and operational costs, delivering immediate financial relief to offshore operators and setting a precedent for future deregulation efforts.
Beyond regulatory tweaks, the Action Plan’s emphasis on modernizing ports, expanding training pipelines, and ensuring market access could reshape the industry’s long‑term trajectory. Targeted infrastructure spending promises to alleviate bottlenecks that have hampered cargo flow, while federal scholarships and apprenticeship programs aim to address the aging workforce gap. If U.S. vessels can operate under a lighter regulatory burden and tap a skilled labor pool, they stand to capture greater share of domestic and international contracts, reinforcing America’s position as a first‑class maritime power.
White House Maritime Action Plan Shows OMSA Leadership on Regulatory Reform
By: Offshore Marine Service Association
The Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA) welcomes and applauds the Administration’s continued focus on strengthening the American maritime industry, as reflected in the White House’s release on Friday of the America’s Maritime Action Plan. The comprehensive strategy underscores that maritime is a national priority, with targeted infrastructure investments, workforce development, and regulatory reform. A key pillar of the plan, titled “Elimination of Redundant, Obsolete, or Unduly Burdensome Regulations,” reflects OMSA’s longstanding efforts to improve the competitiveness of the American maritime industry by reducing unnecessary and duplicative regulatory requirements while maintaining the highest safety standards.
“The White House’s new Action Plan aligns with OMSA’s initiative to make offshore more fair and competitive for American mariners,” said Aaron Smith, President of OMSA. “By embracing the OMSA-backed policy of removing duplicative inspections and certification requirements, particularly where authorized agents or classification societies have already verified compliance, U.S.-flagged vessels will be able to operate more efficiently without compromising safety.”
The Administration’s Action Plan builds on momentum already underway. In June, the U.S. Coast Guard adopted a new Portable Accommodation Module (PAM) policy in response to OMSA‑led reform efforts, reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens while preserving safety and oversight. The broader Maritime Action Plan reinforces that progress, signaling a sustained commitment to modernizing maritime regulations and ensuring U.S. operators remain globally competitive.
Beyond regulatory reform, the plan also prioritizes investment in critical maritime infrastructure and the development of a strong, skilled American maritime workforce—two priorities essential to kickstarting the U.S. maritime industry. The next step will be ensuring U.S. vessels are given ample opportunity to access domestic and international markets, which will be the key to sustaining long‑term industry growth.
“It is clear the Administration is listening to the American offshore industry, and we appreciate their support,” Smith added. “We look forward to continuing to partner with this Administration and Coast Guard leadership to advance smart regulatory reform, meaningful workforce investment, and policies that create a level playing field to ensure American mariners and the U.S. maritime sector remain competitive and first‑class.”
The products and services herein described in this press release are not endorsed by The Maritime Executive.
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