Stephen M. Carmel | |
|---|---|
 Stephen Carmel | |
| 21st United States Maritime Administration Administrator | |
incumbent | |
| Assumed office December 19,[ citation needed ] 2025 | |
| President | Donald J. Trump |
| Preceded by | Ann C. Phillips |
| Personal details | |
| Spouse | Alison Carmel |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Old Dominion University |
Stephen M. Carmel is the administrator of the Maritime Administration (MARAD) at the U.S. Department of Transportation. [1]
Carmel is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (1979) and Old Dominion University with an M.A. in economics and an M.B.A. in international finance. [2]
He began his career sailing as a deck officer on tankers for the Maritime Overseas Corporation and the Military Sealift Command, [2] and has a Master's Unlimited license. He has held a variety of positions at U.S. Marine Management and Maersk Line,Limited. [3]
During his Senate hearing in October,Carmel repeated his support for the Jones Act and other crucial maritime laws and programs that support the U.S.-flag fleet. [3] "A strong maritime sector is not nostalgia –it's strategy. It means resilient supply chains we control;credible logistics for our joint forces;good jobs across our coasts,rivers,and Great Lakes;and the freedom to move what America needs,when and where America needs it –under our own flag," he said. [3]
The U.S. Senate confirmed Carmel on December 18,2025,by a 53–43 vote. [4] Carmel was nominated after President Trump withdrew the nomination of retired Navy submarine Captain Brent Sadler in May 2025. [5] He took over from Sang H. Yi,who was the acting administrator from June 2025.
Carmel has stated that he is committed to implementing President Donald Trump's Executive Order 14269 ("Restoring Maritime Dominance") and restoring U.S. shipbuilding [6] through the administration's Maritime Action Plan. [7] He also supports expanded Arctic exploration and shipping. [8] [9]
He was awarded the Navy Meritorious Public Service Award by the Chief of Naval Operations in 2017. [1]
Carmel is married to Alison Carmel,and they have two sons,John and Greg. [1] [10]