What 14,000 Maritime Professionals Taught Us About Industry Trends

Ryan Patrick Murray
3 days ago
9 min read

The energy was unmistakable the moment we stepped onto the floor of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Over 14,000 maritime professionals from six continents had converged for the 45th International WorkBoat Show (December 3-5, 2025), filling nearly every square foot of exhibit space with 1,000+ exhibitors-including 200 companies appearing for the first time.

For our team from MD Electric Group and Fail-Safe Electric, this wasn't just another trade show. It was a strategic reconnaissance mission into the future of marine electrical contracting. What we discovered over three intense days confirmed some suspicions, challenged others, and opened entirely new avenues for how we position our capabilities in an industry experiencing transformational change.

Here's what the collective wisdom of 14,000 maritime professionals taught us about where this industry is heading-and why it matters to anyone involved in marine electrical systems, shipyard operations, or federal contracting.

The Electrification Imperative: No Longer "If" But "How"

If there was a single dominant theme echoing through every corridor, conference session, and exhibitor booth, it was this: marine electrification has moved from aspirational to operational.

The most striking example? Washington State Ferries' announcement of hybrid-electric propulsion systems featuring 13.2-megawatt-hour battery systems-the largest ever installed on U.S. vessels. ABB's end-to-end integration of power distribution, energy management, and marine automation for ferries that will eventually grow to a fleet of 16 vessels by 2040 represents more than just a single project. It's a blueprint for the industry's trajectory.

But here's what caught our attention as electrical contractors: it's not just about the batteries.

The real bottleneck-and opportunity-lies in the infrastructure required to support these systems. Shore power installations, automated charging systems, and the control panels that manage the complex dance between diesel generators, electric motors, and massive battery banks. This is where companies like Fail-Safe Electric, with UL 508A certification in industrial automation and control panels, find themselves perfectly positioned at the intersection of industrial expertise and marine innovation.

The Control Systems Challenge

During the Maritime Innovations classroom sessions focused on electrical systems, a recurring theme emerged: integrating hybrid propulsion isn't just a mechanical engineering challenge. The automation and control systems that manage power flow, optimize energy usage, and ensure redundancy represent sophisticated electrical engineering that requires both certification and experience.

This is the sweet spot where 25 years of DoD contracting experience building complex electrical systems translates directly into competitive advantage. The same principles that govern mission-critical industrial control panels apply (perhaps even more stringently) to marine environments where salt air, vibration, and operational demands require robust, certified solutions.

The Workforce Crisis: Everyone's Talking, Few Are Solving

The second most discussed topic? The skilled labor shortage that's creating headaches across every segment of the maritime industry.

At the Student & Industry Workforce Summit, we heard about bridge simulators being purchased by industry partners for maritime academies, nine high schools in Houston receiving simulation capabilities from Chevron, and aggressive digital marketing campaigns on TikTok and Instagram designed to reachyoung people where they actually spend their time.

The investment in training technology is impressive. The problem? It's addressing recruitment, notretention. It's creating awareness, not mastery.

This is precisely why I publish "The Current Conversation"- a daily LinkedIn newsletter challenging the status quo in shipbuilding. Every day, we tackle what's broken and how to fix it, because the maritime industry deserves more than platitudes about workforce development. It requires honest dialogue about systemic issues and practical solutions.

Subscribe to The Current Conversation

What Actually Works

Workforce development requires more than simulators and social media. The companies successfully building and retaining skilled teams focus on:

Mentorship systems where experienced electricians actually teach, not just supervise
Workplace organization standards (something we've invested heavily in at MD Electric Group)
Clear pathways from apprentice to journeyman to master craftsman
Pride in craftsmanship that comes from solving genuinely difficult problems

The industry panel discussion emphasized that partnerships between maritime schools, industry leaders,and local communities are essential. As Capt. Elizabeth Simmons from Massachusetts Maritime Academy put it: "We're not going to do the thing that we're trying to accomplish without partners."

We couldn't agree more. But we'd add this: partnerships only work when companies are willing to invest time, not just dollars, into developing the next generation. That's what we explore daily in The Current Conversation - moving beyond talk to actionable change.

The Jones Act Breakfast: Policy Meets Practicality

The sold-out State of the Jones Act Breakfast tackled questions that directly impact our federal contracting strategy:

• How can the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 be updated to prevent foreign exploitation while supporting domestic operators?

• What happens when hybrid vessel construction requires European-made engines while maintaining Jones Act compliance?

• How does policy support translate into actual shipbuilding contracts?

For MD Electric Group, pursuing NAVFAC Northwest opportunities and targeting Navy shipyard modernization programs, these discussions weren't academic. They were directly relevant to our IDIQ pursuit strategy.

The panelists-including RADM Richard Timme (USCG Ret.), Michael G. Roberts from the Hudson Institute's Center for Maritime Strategy, and Matthew Paxton from the Shipbuilders Council of America-made clear that U.S. shipbuilding is experiencing a resurgence driven by both defense priorities and regulatory pressure.

The Federal Contracting Angle

Here's what this means practically: As domestic shipbuilding accelerates, the demand for certified marine electrical contractors with federal contracting experience and security clearances will outpace supply.Companies that can demonstrate:

• DoD contracting expertise (we've got 25 years)

• UL 508A certification for control systems (Fail-Safe Electric's specialty)

• Multi-environment capabilities (shipyard, commercial, industrial)

• Geographic flexibility - our marine electricians go where the boats are, working on vessels around the world

...will find themselves with competitive advantages that aren't easily replicated.

Getting Fail-Safe Electric's products written into government specifications isn't just aspirational. It's the natural evolution of capabilities we've been building for years, now intersecting with an industry that desperately needs exactly what we provide.

Underwater Intervention: The Subsea Opportunity

The co-located Underwater Intervention pavilion, featuring 80 speakers across multiple technical tracks,revealed another dimension we hadn't fully appreciated: the convergence of surface vessel operations and subsea technology.

ROVs (remotely operated vehicles), AUVs (autonomous underwater vehicles), and sophisticated inspection systems all require:

• Reliable power systems in harsh environments

• Automated control panels for remote operation

• Integration with vessel electrical systems

• Redundancy and fail-safe mechanisms

Sound familiar? It should. These are the same requirements we engineer into industrial control systems every day at Fail-Safe Electric. The difference is the environment and the stakes-but the fundamental expertise translates directly.

Sustainability: The 3% Problem Driving Innovation

The maritime industry contributes roughly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions annually. That might sound small, but it represents a significant target for regulatory pressure and technological innovation.

During the "Paving the Way to Sustainable Shipyard and Port Operations" session, panelists from Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, Port of New Orleans, and Arcosa discussed practical approaches to reducing carbon footprints without sacrificing operational efficiency.

The solutions being discussed-hybrid propulsion, shore power, energy management systems, even green hydrogen applications-all require sophisticated electrical infrastructure and control systems. Once again,the conversation kept circling back to: Who can design, build, certify, and maintain these complex systems?

Technology Innovations: What Caught Our Attention

Walking the exhibit floor and attending the Maritime Innovations classroom sessions, several trends stood out:

Integration Complexity The days of standalone electrical systems are over. Modern marine electrical work requires understanding how power distribution, automation, navigation, safety systems, and propulsion all interconnect. This isn't just electrical work, it's systems engineering.
Certification Requirements UL 508A certification kept appearing in technical specifications and vendor discussions. It's becoming table stakes for marine automation projects, not a nice-to-have credential.
Digital Twin Technology Several exhibitors demonstrated how digital twin modeling is being used to design and test electrical systems before physical installation-reducing errors, improving efficiency, and lowering costs.
Modular Approaches The shift toward modular control panels that can be pre-built, tested, and certified before shipyard installation is accelerating. This plays directly to Fail-Safe Electric's approach of building UL 508A panels in a controlled environment rather than site-building in chaotic shipyard conditions.

A Moment at the NOAA Booth

One of the most inspirational moments at the show happened at the NOAA booth. They had created a set of trading cards representing their vessels - and as we rifled through the stack, we found ourselves looking at ships MD Marine Electric has been part of: the Oscar Dyson, the Oscar Elton Sette, the Fairweather, among others.

It's one thing to complete projects. It's another to see them celebrated as part of America's oceanographic research fleet, to stand on a convention floor surrounded by 14,000 maritime professionals and hold tangible proof that the work we do matters.

Our GM, John Vashchenko, captured the moment with some of NOAA's future leaders - young officers who will serve aboard vessels we've helped build and maintain. That's the real reward in this work: knowing that the electrical systems, automation controls, and marine installations we engineer keep these critical missions operational.

Image: GM-John Vashchenko with NOAA officers at WorkBoat Show 2025

From research vessels mapping the ocean floor to ships tracking climate data to vessels supporting fisheries management - these aren't just contracts. They're contributions to scientific discovery and environmental stewardship. Twenty-five years as a DoD contractor means we've touched dozens of vessels across military, research, and commercial sectors. Seeing them honored at NOAA's booth reminded us why precision, reliability, and commitment to mission matter in marine electrical work.

Women in Maritime: The Inaugural Luncheon

The first-ever Women in Maritime Luncheon sold out, drawing industry leaders for candid discussions about breaking barriers, creating opportunities, and changing an industry culture that has historically been male-dominated.

The panel's conclusion resonated: "It takes the industry coming together. It's not just one organization or one program. It's all of us."

This hits home for us. Our VP is a woman who brings exceptional leadership to MD Electric Group-and she'll more than likely take command one day. That's not diversity theater. That's recognizing talent and building succession plans around the best people, regardless of gender.

The skilled trades need every talented person we can attract, train, and retain. The conversation shouldn't be about quotas or optics-it should be about removing barriers that keep qualified people out and creating cultures where everyone can contribute and advance based on capability and commitment.

At MD Electric Group, we're proud of our workplace organization standards and commitment to inclusive culture. But we also recognize this is ongoing work, not a completed project. The maritime industry's future depends on it.

What This Means for MD Electric Group: Strategic Takeaways

After three days of conversations, observations, and strategic thinking, here's what we're taking away:

Electrification Expertise = Competitive Advantage The industry's shift toward hybrid and electric propulsion creates immediate opportunities for companies that understand both power systems and automation controls. Our multi-division structure (MD Marine Electric, MD Commercial Electric, MD Engineering, and Fail-Safe Electric) positions us to support projects from initial design through installation and maintenance.
FSE's UL 508A Certification Is Perfectly Timed What we thought was differentiating for industrial applications turns out to be critical for marine electrification projects. Our investment in UL 508A certification wasn't accidental-but the timing couldn't be better.
Federal Contracting Opportunities Are Expanding NAVFAC Northwest, Navy shipyard modernization, Coast Guard vessel requirements-the federal contracting landscape for marine electrical work is growing. Our 25 years as a DoD contractor give us credibility that new entrants can't replicate.
Workforce Development Is a Brand Differentiator While everyone talks about the labor shortage, companies that actually invest in training, mentorship, and workplace organization will win the long game. Our workplace organization-trained electricians aren't just a talking point-they're a competitive moat.
The Convergence Is Real Marine, commercial, and industrial electrical work are converging around common themes: automation, electrification, integration, certification. Companies that operate across these domains have strategic advantages over specialists who only understand one environment.

Looking Ahead: The Future Continues

The 2025 WorkBoat Show's theme-"The Future; Underway"-wasn't just clever marketing. It captured a fundamental truth: the transformation of the maritime industry isn't coming. It's happening now.

• Washington State Ferries is building hybrid vessels today

• Shore power infrastructure is being installed across West Coast ports right now

• Federal shipbuilding contracts are being awarded this quarter

• Workforce shortages are creating opportunities for companies that can attract and train talent immediately

The momentum from this year's show isn't slowing-it's accelerating. Early conversations are already happening about 2026 as organizers plan to accommodate even more exhibitors and attendees.

For MD Electric Group and Fail-Safe Electric, this isn't just market intelligence. It's confirmation that the capabilities we've built over 25 years, the certifications we've invested in, and the reputation we've earned position us perfectly for the industry's next chapter.

Your Move

If you're involved in marine electrical projects-whether shipyard operations, vessel construction, federal contracting, or port infrastructure-the conversations happening in New Orleans should matter to you.

The industry is looking for partners who can:

• Navigate complex electrical and automation requirements

• Meet UL 508A and federal certification standards

• Deliver on time in demanding marine environments

• Bring both technical expertise and federal contracting experience

That's exactly what MD Electric Group and Fail-Safe Electric have been doing for 25 years. Our commercial and industrial work serves Washington and Alaska, but our marine electricians? They go where the boats are-from Pacific Northwest shipyards to vessels operating around the world. The difference now? The industry is finally catching up to where we've already been.

Let's talk about your next marine electrical project.

Whether it's hybrid propulsion systems, shore power infrastructure, automation controls, or federal contracting opportunities, we'd welcome the conversation.

MD Electric Group is a 25-year DoD contractor specializing in marine, commercial, and industrial electrical services. Our commercial and industrial divisions serve Washington and Alaska, while our marine electricians travel globally to work on vessels wherever they operate. Our divisions include MD Marine Electric (shipyard/marine work), MD Commercial Electric, MD Engineering, and Fail-Safe Electric, which focuses on UL 508A certified industrial automation and control panels. Contact us to discuss how our multi-environment expertise can support your next project.