WASHINGTON — Today, the United States Department of Transporation (USDOT) announced that U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy will deliver the 89^th commencement address at the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) on Monday, June 23^rd.   

“We are excited to welcome Secretary Duffy back to Kings Point,” said USMMA Superintendent Vice Admiral Joanna Nunan. “We look forward to hearing about the prominent role he sees our graduates playing in the revitalization of America’s shipping and shipbuilding enterprise.”   

The United States Merchant Marine Academy is a federal service academy that educates and graduates leaders of exemplary character who are committed to serve the national security, marine transportation, and economic needs of the United States as licensed Merchant Marine Officers and commissioned officers in the Armed Forces. With 95 percent of the world's products transported over water, these leaders are vital to the effective operation of our merchant fleet for both commercial and military transport in peace and war. Academy graduates abide by the motto: “Acta Non Verba," or "Deeds Not Words," and are leaders that exemplify the concept of service-above-self.  

On April 9^th, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order to restore America’s Maritime dominance. As part of the Executive Order, the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) will coordinate with various stakeholders to create a Maritime Action Plan (MAP). The MAP will include key initiatives like revitalizing the USMMA, incentivizing domestic shipbuilding, enhancing infrastructure and capacity, growing demand for U.S. shipping, investing in maritime technology, enhancing workforce development, and strengthening maritime security. USDOT looks forward to supporting the President’s maritime mission as a matter of national security and economic prosperity.     

Learn more about the Academy’s mission HERE. 

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The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, located in Kings Point, N.Y, educates and graduates licensed merchant mariners and leaders of exemplary character who will serve America’s marine transportation and defense needs in peace and war. The U.S. Merchant Marine is administered by the Department of Transportation.