State Rep. Donni Steele hosted a Michigan Maritime Panel discussion at the George W. Romney Building in Lansing, bringing together industry leaders, educators, and transportation experts to discuss opportunities to strengthen Michigan’s maritime economy and rebuild the state’s role in Great Lakes shipping and shipbuilding.

The discussion focused on the recently released Michigan Maritime Strategy and the White House Maritime Action Plan, highlighting ways Michigan can better position itself as a leader in maritime commerce, infrastructure, and workforce development.

“Michigan’s location on the Great Lakes gives us a major economic advantage, and we need to start treating it that way,” said Steele (R-Orion Township). “Our ports, shipping industry, and maritime workforce support jobs and commerce across the state. This panel was about bringing the right people together to discuss how we grow those opportunities and make Michigan more competitive moving forward.”

As part of that effort, Steele also included increased port funding in the House FY 2027 Transportation budget proposal to help support maritime infrastructure and economic development projects throughout the state.

“Ports are an important part of Michigan’s transportation network and economy,” Steele said. “If we want to strengthen supply chains, support manufacturing, and recruit and retain talent, we need to make smart investments in maritime infrastructure.”

The panel was moderated by John Peracchio, Commissioner of the State Transportation Commission, regional director of the Naval War College Foundation for Michigan and the Great Lakes, and consultant to the Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification.

Panelists included:

• Dr. Matthew Collette, University of Michigan professor of naval architecture and marine engineering, Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers functional vice president for education, and co-director of the Great Lakes Maritime Initiative
• Capt. Paul LaMarre III, Port Director for the Port of Monroe and president of the American Great Lakes Ports Association
• Mark Schrupp, executive director of the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority
• Mark Barker, president of The Interlake Steamship Company, the largest privately held shipping company on the Great Lakes
• Patrick Kelly, CEO of Fraser Shipyards, a 130-year-old shipbuilding company on the shores of Lake Superior working to establish the Great Lakes Shipbuilding Alliance
• Jerry Achenbach, superintendent of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, which educates and trains commercial shipping officers

The event was held in partnership with the Governor’s Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification, which works to advance innovation and economic growth across Michigan’s mobility sectors, including land, air, and water transportation.