Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has designated the Maritime Administrator (MARAD) as the 2025-2026 Chair of the CMTS Coordinating Board. We are pleased to welcome Acting Maritime Administrator Sang Yi to this leadership role. The Coordinating Board provides strategic direction to the CMTS Executive Secretariat and nearly 300 members from more than 35 federal agencies.
Acting Administrator Yi assumes the role of Coordinating Board Chair following President Trump’s Executive Order to restore America’s maritime dominance in support of national security and economic strength. Under the guidance of the Executive Order, MARAD has identified four strategic priorities—people, ships, cargo, and ports—that will inform the work of the CMTS in strengthening the resilience and success of the U.S. Maritime Transportation System (MTS). Acting Administrator Yi is a strong advocate for smart policies and strong partnerships that unleash innovation and will revitalize the industry.
Under MARAD’s leadership of the Coordinating Board, the CMTS and its federal partners will focus on four major areas:
(1) Unleashing Innovation across MTS Supply Chains and Shipyards
(2) Investing in Recruitment and Retention of the MTS Workforce
(3) Enhancing Efficiency, Safety and Security throughout the MTS
(4) Modernizing the MTS by Cutting Red Tape and Improving Interagency Collaboration