MARYLAND MARITIME TASK FORCE

Ex officio: Maj. Gen. Janeen L. Birckhead, Adjutant General; Harry Coker, Jr., Esq., Secretary of Commerce; Portia Y. Wu, Esq., Secretary of Labor; Joshua E. Kurtz, Secretary of Natural Resources; Kathryn B. Thomson, Esq., Secretary of Transportation; Lisa A. Swoboda, Director, Office of Military & Federal Affairs, Department of Commerce; J. Thomas Sadowski, Jr., Executive Director, Maryland Economic Development Corporation.

World Trade Center Baltimore, 401 East Pratt St., Baltimore, Maryland, November 2009. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

c/o Office of Strategic Industries
Department of Commerce
World Trade Center Baltimore, 401 East Pratt St., Baltimore, MD 21202 - 3316
(410) 767-5570
e-mail: ulyana.desiderio@maryland.gov

Progress Report to Governor due June 1, 2027 (Executive Order 01.01.2026.21)

On October 21, 2026, the Maryland Maritime Task Force was formed by the Governor (Executive Order 01.01.2026.21).

Administered by the Departmnt of Commerce, the Task Force is authorized to take all actions necessary to secure a Maritime Prosperity Zone designation for the State. It will engage and consult relevant stakeholders to develop and recommend actions to advance Maryland's maritime industry and maritime economy; and identify barriers encountered by public or private entities in pursuing national maritime opportunities. Further, it will recommend executive, legislative, and regulatory actions needed to overcome such barriers and increase the use of Maryland's resources, workforce, and business entities.

Mechanisms to coordinate and strengthen State and federal advocacy efforts to advance Maryland's maritime interests, policies, programs, businesses, and partnerships, including international engagement, workforce training, federal grants and programs, and related opportunities will be recommended by the Task Force. In addition, the Task Force will study and make recommendations on business incentives, tax credits, or other economic development tools to expand and support Maryland maritime industries.

At least eighteen members constitute the Task Force. Eleven members are appointed by the Governor, who names the Chair and Co-Chair; and seven members serve ex officio. The Secretary of Commerce also may appoint additional members (Executive Order 01.01.2026.21).

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