At a Senate Commerce Committee nominations hearing, Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) addressed the need for a new maritime strategy aimed at reducing regulatory barriers and restoring U.S. maritime strength. The hearing included nominees for key maritime and oceanic positions.
Cruz acknowledged Dr. Timothy Petty, nominated for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), highlighting his background in policy and experience in managing fisheries and ocean resources. Petty, a geoscientist and engineer, has served over twenty years on Capitol Hill and previously held the role of Assistant Secretary for Water and Science at the Department of Interior during the Trump administration.
The hearing also considered Laura DiBella and Robert Harvey as nominees for commissioners of the Federal Maritime Commission. DiBella has held leadership roles including Port Director of the Port of Fernandina and Executive Director of the Florida Harbor Pilots Association. Harvey, an attorney with more than thirty years of experience, has led economic development organizations in Florida and served as a U.S. Navy JAG officer.
Stephen Carmel, nominated to lead the Maritime Administration, was recognized for his maritime operations expertise. Carmel is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, has served as a deck officer and ship master, and worked at Maersk Line Limited. He has also contributed to advisory panels related to maritime security.
Cruz stated: “Today, we’ll hear from four nominees:
“Stephen Carmel , nominee for Administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration; Laura DiBella and Robert Harvey, nominees for commissioners of the Federal Maritime Commission; and Timothy Petty, nominee for Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Deputy Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
“Congratulations to each of you.
“Let’s begin with Mr. Petty, who would serve as Deputy Administrator of NOAA. A geoscientist and engineer, Mr. Petty has spent more than two decades on Capitol Hill, where he is currently a senior professional staff member for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. During the first Trump administration, Mr. Petty served as Assistant Secretary for Water and Science in the Department of Interior.
“As second-in-command at NOAA, he will draw on his policy expertise to manage U.S. fisheries programs and protect coastal and ocean resources.
“Next are two Republican nominees for the Federal Maritime Commission: Laura DiBella and Robert Harvey. Ms. DiBella previously served as Port Director of the Port of Fernandina, Executive Director of the Florida Harbor Pilots Association, and head of Florida’s state-level economic development organization.
“Mr. Harvey is an attorney with thirty-plus years navigating complex regulatory schemes and promoting economic development. A former U.S. Navy JAG officer, he currently leads two public economic development corporations in Florida.
“Finally, Stephen Carmel will draw on decades of experience to advise the Secretary of Transportation on federal maritime policy as Administrator of the Maritime Administration. A graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Mr. Carmel served on U.S. vessels as a deck officer and ship master before joining Maersk Line Limited, the largest operator of U.S. flag ships. He is well versed in maritime operations and security, having sat on the Board of Advisors for the Merchant Marine Academy and the Chief of Naval Operations Executive Panel.
“Mr. Carmel will support Secretary Duffy’s efforts to fortify U.S. maritime security, shipbuilding, and infrastructure.
“Like our nominee, I am concerned that China’s maritime industrial base dwarfs our own. That’s why I look forward to the administration’s forthcoming Maritime Action Plan, which will address this geopolitical challenge. At the same time, I continue to believe we need a maritime strategy focused on attracting capital and removing regulatory barriers, not picking winners and losers. American shipyards can compete globally without heavy-handed protectionism, but only if they lean into nascent industries like seabed mining and nuclear-powered shipping, not those where we’re at a distinct comparative disadvantage.
“Thank you to our nominees for joining us today. I’m eager to hear how each of you will approach federal maritime policy.”
The hearing focused on how these nominees would contribute to U.S. maritime policy in areas such as security, infrastructure, economic development, fisheries management, and adapting to global competition.
