The Virginia Maritime Association announced the gathering of over 800 maritime professionals, industry partners and honoured guests at its 105th Annual Maritime Banquet held on October 16, 2025. Since its inception in 1920, the event has become one of the Commonwealth’s most respected traditions, recognising individuals whose leadership and service have strengthened Virginia’s ports and maritime industries.
At the banquet, the Association premiered two videos: Virginia’s Maritime Workforce: An Ocean of Opportunity, a tribute to the people powering the maritime economy, and 55-Foot Wider, Deeper, Safer, celebrating the milestone of the Wider, Deeper, Safer® 55-foot channel project—a major collaboration between the Association, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and The Port of Virginia that will deliver the deepest channels on the U.S. East Coast.
The Association also announced a partnership with the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore to support maritime community members affected by the recent shutdown. As part of the effort, the organisation committed to matching every donation dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000.
Awards presented during the ceremony included:
- The newly established Clifton Styles, Jr. Beacon Award, given posthumously to Clifton Styles Jr., for his legacy of mentorship, service and excellence.
- The Port Champion Award: presented to Capt. Peggy Britton of the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Virginia and W. Sheppard “Shep” Miller III, Virginia Secretary of Transportation, for their leadership in advancing port safety, security and access.
- The Distinguished Service Award: presented to George H. Brown for decades of service in maritime leadership, labour relations and port operations in Virginia.
David White, Executive Director of the Association, remarked that the banquet is “about more than recognition—it’s about connection,” underlining its role in bringing together people and partnerships that continue to move Virginia’s ports and the Commonwealth forward.
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Source: American Journal of Transportation
