Blank Rome partners Matthew J. Thomas and Dana S. Merkel will serve as panelists at the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and the North American Marine Environment Protection Association’s (“NAMEPA”) 5th Trading in U.S. Waters Seminar: U.S. and Greek Approaches to Today’s Maritime Challenges, being held Thursday, June 4, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., as part of Posidonia 2026 in Athens, Greece. The seminar is organized in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Athens. Blank Rome Maritime is pleased to be a Gold Sponsor of the Seminar.

About the Seminar

This is a high-level forum examining the evolving realities shaping global trade, maritime commerce, and strategic collaboration between the United States and the international shipping community. Held in Athens during one of the world’s largest maritime gatherings, this program will bring together senior government officials, shipowners, maritime executives, experienced legal professionals, innovators, and technology leaders for a day of discussions focused on compliance, competitiveness, maritime security, artificial intelligence, energy transition, and the future of shipping.

Matt and Dana’s session, “Trading Smart in U.S. Waters: Compliance, Cost, and Competitive Edge,” will take place from 11:20 to 11:45 a.m.

Panelists:

  • Matthew Thomas, Partner, International Trade and Maritime, Blank Rome LLP
  • Dana Merkel, Partner, Maritime, Blank Rome LLP
  • Sydney Plante, Acting Associate Administrator for Strategic Engagement at the Maritime Administration (“MARAD”), U.S. Department of Transportation
  • Aristidis Kourkoumelis, Assistant Secretary, Trade & Economic Security, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Other sessions include:

  • Safeguarding Global Trade Amid Geopolitical Risk
  • Navigating The Future: AI in Global Shipping
  • Optimizing Energy in Shipping: Technologies, Efficiency, and the Path Ahead
  • Strategic Collaboration Agreement
  • Shark Tank: A Competition of Innovative U.S. Maritime Technologies

For more information and to register, please visit the seminar website.

For more information about Posidonia 2026, please visit the event website.