The James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (NDAA) directs the Secretary of Transportation, through a competitive cooperative agreement, to establish a United States Center for Maritime Innovation to support the study, research, development, assessment, and deployment of emerging marine technologies and practices related to emerging environmental challenges faced by the maritime transportation system.

The  Maritime Administration (MARAD) recently made a selection for the secretariat of the U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation (Center). The solicitation for the Center's secretariat was made through the process of a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP). MARAD ultimately selected the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) to establish and maintain the Center as its secretariat. 

Support for the congressionally authorized Center comes from MARAD's Office of Environment and Innovation through the Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance (META) program.

During the next six months, MARAD and ABS will engage stakeholders and establish research priorities and associated projects. These activities will include a broad range of engagement opportunities with maritime industry stakeholders. Stakeholders will include a variety of professionals from the Federal government, academia, industry, trade associations, and NGOs.