Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced on Jan. 27 the state’s first-ever Maritime Strategy, a 10-year plan intended to grow the state’s multibillion-dollar maritime industry while protecting the Great Lakes. The strategy includes 54 recommendations across six primary goal areas targeting port modernization, shipbuilding expansion, workforce development and clean energy transitions.
As noted in the strategy, Michigan has 33 active ports supporting approximately 17,000 jobs and contributing $3.3 billion to the state’s economy every year. Water-based tourism, including the state’s 83 recreational harbors, generates almost $12 billion per year and supports about 45,000 jobs.
The maritime strategy centers on six main goals. The first would modernize ports and invest in intermodal infrastructure by upgrading facilities to handle bulk and containerized goods more efficiently and improving first- and last-mile truck and rail connections. The strategy also calls for sustained funding for the Maritime and Port Facility Assistance Office and investments in resilient ferry infrastructure serving island communities.
The second goal would grow Michigan’s maritime manufacturing economy by positioning the state as a national hub for marine component production, shipbuilding and ship repair. The strategy would expand supply chains, attract shipbuilders and leverage opportunities in naval vessel construction through advanced manufacturing technologies.
The third goal would accelerate adoption of low-emission vessel technologies and alternative fuels such as biofuels, ammonia, methanol and green hydrogen. The strategy supports electric and hybrid powertrain development for recreational boats and ferries while investing in shore power and fueling infrastructure at ports, targeting carbon neutrality by 2050.
The fourth goal focuses on positioning Michigan as a national leader in recruitment, training and retention of the maritime workforce. It would launch a coordinated education initiative across colleges, universities and trade programs, and calls for a “Blue Life” career awareness campaign and K-12 outreach to build long-term talent pipelines.
For the fifth goal, the state would expand technology testing and demonstration zones in collaboration with research institutions and industry partners. The strategy targets autonomous vessel development and intends to attract marine autonomy companies to establish production facilities in Michigan.
The sixth and final goal would increase sustainability and resilience of recreational harbors and marinas through modernization, pollution prevention and increased education on invasive species management.
The new maritime strategy builds on several existing programs, including the flagship Michigan Maritime Manufacturing (M3) initiative launched in July 2024. The $50 million program focuses on training workers in submarine production and includes a Navy-funded $15.4 million training center at Macomb Community College.
The strategy also calls for establishing Maritime Prosperity Zones designed to spur investment in maritime infrastructure. The state is targeting the creation of its first zone by 2026.
The strategy was developed through a year-long process led by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy’s (EGLE) Office of the Great Lakes and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), with the University of Michigan’s Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering facilitating stakeholder engagement with more than 200 participants from government, industry and academia. The draft strategy is open for public comment through Feb. 27, and a final strategy release is expected later in the year.
Photo by Diane Bedard, CC BY 2.5 CA https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ca/deed.en, from Wikimedia Commons
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