For years, US mariner credentialing relied on fragmented systems, inconsistent records, and limited transparency—leaving mariners, shipowners, and operators exposed to hidden risk.

That is about to change.

In Episode 44 of the ShorelineHudson Maritime Risk Podcast, Captain Thomas Brown is joined by US maritime attorney and former US Coast Guard lawyer Benjamin Robinson (Chalos & Co.) to unpack the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General’s findings into Coast Guard credentialing failures—and the sweeping reforms now underway.

We explore:

• Why thousands of drug, alcohol, and misconduct cases were never properly tracked
• How multiple Coast Guard databases failed to speak to each other
• What the new MEAM digital enforcement system means in practice
• Why mariners will now have direct online access to their own case files
• And how increased transparency will impact Port State Control, crew vetting, detentions, and legal exposure

This episode is essential listening for anyone operating vessels into US waters, or responsible for ensuring their crews are compliant, qualified, and defensible when the Coast Guard comes aboard.

Foreign-flagged vessels calling at U.S. ports now face a significant new operational challenge: the Department of Homeland Security has implemented a $1,000 immigration parole fee, effective 16 October 2025, for any non-exempt alien who is paroled into the United States. This includes vessel crew members requiring medical treatment under certain circumstances. In this episode, ShorelineHudson’s Global Policy Advisor Andrew Baskin sits down with our Head of Claims Deborah Stabile to unpack what the new fee means in practice, why parole is now being denied in some cases, and what shipowners must do to protect their crews, avoid unnecessary delays, and stay compliant when trading to the United States.

Confusion reigns in the wake of Washington’s last-minute amendments to the USTR Section 301 maritime measures.

In this episode, Captain Thomas Brown and Washington D.C.–based policy advisor Andrew Baskin break down what’s changed, who pays, and why these new U.S. port fees are about far more than economics.

From vessel classifications and deferral windows to Pay.gov payment challenges for foreign shipowners, the discussion separates fact from speculation. The episode also unveils how ShorelineHudson’s newly launched USTR Fee Clearing and Payment Service helps operators stay compliant, avoid port delays, and maintain good-faith standing with regulators and charterers alike.

If your fleet trades to the U.S., this is essential listening.

This week, the U.S. begins enforcing port fees on Chinese-built, flagged, or operated vessels under new Section 301 tariff measures.

These fees are assessed against the operator listed on the vessel’s COFR — a fact with far-reaching implications for shipowners, managers, and charterers.

In our latest Client Advisory and Podcast (Episode 41), we explain:

• Who’s now liable for these fees
• The risks of a cosmetic “operator” name change
• Contractual and operational steps to take immediately
• New guidance from CBP, USTR, and legal commentators
• What to watch for from Beijing in response

In this episode of the ShorelineHudson Maritime Risk Podcast, Captain Thomas Brown sits down with Hila Sasson, Director of Product Marketing at Windward, to discuss one of the most pressing and least understood risks facing global shipping today: GNSS jamming and AIS spoofing.

From phantom port calls and vessels “sailing on land” to entire fleets suddenly losing navigational capability in conflict zones, these invisible threats are already disrupting trade, complicating compliance, and raising the stakes for shipowners worldwide.

Listeners will gain:

• A clear understanding of the difference between GNSS manipulation, GPS jamming and AIS spoofing.
• Real-world insights into how spoofing patterns correlate with geopolitical tensions in hotspots like the Black Sea, Arabian Gulf, and Mediterranean.
• Practical steps shipowners and operators can take to protect their fleets and reputations.

Whether you’re a shipowner, broker, insurer, or maritime risk professional, this conversation will help you see through the fog of modern navigation risks.

In this episode of the ShorelineHudson Maritime Risk Podcast, we explore how the maritime sector is confronting the growing challenge of cyber risk with data-driven clarity. Our guests include Rob Vasquez, CEO of Beacon Technologies, Rick Siebenaler, CEO of the Maritime Cybersecurity Institute and academic sponsor of this fully funded research initiative, and Sean Jensen, ShorelineHudson’s cyber expert and program facilitator. Together, they discuss the Maritime Cybersecurity Institute’s vessel cyber risk analysis program powered by CYFAX+ and how it is transforming the way shipowners, operators, and regulators visualize, assess, and act on vessel-level cyber threat intelligence. If you're ready to understand what it truly means to "see the threat," this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Speakers:

Rob Vazquez – Beacon Technologies Rob Vazquez is the CEO of Beacon Technology Group and a pioneer in cybersecurity innovation with over 30 years of experience across global IT and data protection. He has led enterprise-scale deployments for multinational firms and is the inventor behind a patent-pending AI-based threat processing system. Rob’s work at Beacon focuses on developing accessible cybersecurity solutions, including the CYFAX+ platform, which supports advanced threat visibility and regulatory compliance.

Rick Siebenaler - Maritime Cybersecurity Institute Rick Siebenaler is the CEO of the Maritime Cybersecurity Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing cyber resilience in the commercial maritime sector. With a distinguished background at the NSA, CyberGuard, EY, and Deloitte—holding titles such as Chief Scientist and Global CISO, Rick brings strategic depth to maritime cybersecurity. His leadership is driving the sector toward a more mature, integrated approach to cyber risk management.

Sean Jensen - ShorelineHudson Sean Jensen is a cyber threat specialist at ShorelineHudson with a master’s in Homeland Security and expertise in maritime risk assessment. He leads the development and deployment of the AVRA platform, delivering intelligence-driven cyber and physical vulnerability assessments for global port and vessel operations. Certified as a Facility Security Officer and Business Continuity Professional, Sean supports compliance and resilience strategies across the maritime domain.

The countdown is on - in this critical episode, your host, Captain Thomas Brown sits down with ShorelineHudson’s cybersecurity lead Mike Malito to unpack the U.S. Coast Guard’s new Final Rule on Cybersecurity, a sweeping update to the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) that mandates a national baseline for cyber readiness across all regulated U.S. ports and terminals. With the July 2025 deadline fast approaching, this episode delivers a clear, actionable roadmap for compliant facilities. From identifying a cyber officer to rolling out mandatory staff training, conducting risk assessments, and drafting a compliant cyber plan, Mike breaks down exactly what’s required, and how ShorelineHudson’s PortLogix™ and Acrisure’s Cybersecurity Blanket can help facilities of all sizes comply without breaking the bank. Don’t miss this deep dive into one of the most significant regulatory shifts in U.S. port security.

In this follow-up episode of the ShorelineHudson Maritime Risk Podcast, Captain Thomas Brown is joined again by U.S. trade policy expert Andrew Baskin to unpack the now-finalized U.S. port fee regime targeting Chinese-linked vessels.

With tariffs topping $1 million per voyage in some cases, strategic exemptions, and geopolitical backlash brewing in Beijing, we explore how this policy is already reshaping vessel operations, trade alliances, asset values — and possibly the future of American shipbuilding.

From rerouted cargo to retaliatory threats, this episode dives deep into the policy’s impact and the unintended consequences for shippers, carriers, and global trade at large.