Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness is set to deliver the keynote address at the American Caribbean Maritime Foundation’s (ACMF) 9th Annual Anchor Awards, as the organisation continues its efforts to strengthen opportunities for Caribbean nationals pursuing careers in the maritime industry.
Holness has been named the event’s special guest and keynote speaker for the gala, scheduled for Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 6 p.m. in Hollywood, Florida.
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The annual Anchor Awards bring together maritime industry leaders, Caribbean professionals, policymakers and supporters to recognise individuals who have made significant contributions to the region’s maritime sector. This year’s event will be chaired by Greg Purdy, Senior Vice President of Royal Caribbean International.
Among the distinguished honourees are Richard Scheff, Esq., Senior Partner at Faegre Drinker, and Marie McKenzie, Senior Vice President of Government and Destination Affairs at Carnival Corporation & plc.
Holness’ participation is particularly significant given Jamaica’s longstanding connection to the maritime industry and the importance of shipping, logistics and cruise tourism to the Caribbean economy. Jamaica’s geographic position makes maritime transportation central to the movement of goods and people throughout the region, while the sector provides employment opportunities ranging from ship operations and engineering to logistics, port management and supply-chain services.
The ACMF was established as a U.S. nonprofit organisation dedicated to supporting Caribbean and CARICOM nationals pursuing maritime careers. Since launching its scholarship programme in 2018, the foundation says it has provided more than 600 tuition scholarships and grants valued at over US$3 million.
Its beneficiaries have come from countries including Jamaica, Guyana, The Bahamas, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, the Dominican Republic, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Suriname.
The foundation works with academic institutions across the Caribbean to prepare students for careers in navigation, marine engineering, logistics, supply-chain management, port administration, customs and immigration processing, cybersecurity and other specialised areas of the maritime industry.
The organisation’s work has also extended beyond traditional scholarships. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the ACMF provided laptops to students who needed assistance with remote learning and offered emergency grants to students whose families experienced financial hardship. It has also provided assistance to students affected by hurricanes and supported the development of educational infrastructure, including a 100-person lecture hall.
The Anchor Awards therefore serve a dual purpose: recognising established leaders in the maritime sector while raising support for the next generation of Caribbean professionals.
Proceeds from the November gala will go toward scholarships and grants for aspiring Caribbean maritime professionals, including future ship captains, marine engineers, logisticians and port managers.
One example of the programme’s impact is Nyshauna Strachan, who graduated from Caribbean Maritime University in 2024 as an ACMF scholar and is now a second officer with Royal Caribbean International. Her progression from scholarship recipient to maritime professional reflects the type of career development the foundation aims to encourage.
The ACMF also maintains an online employment platform designed to connect Caribbean maritime graduates with opportunities across the industry, while its regional Maritime Link-Up Webinar, organised in partnership with CARICOM, provides students with information about careers and professional development.
Holness’ appearance at the Anchor Awards comes as Caribbean governments continue to emphasise the importance of developing skilled workers who can take advantage of opportunities in shipping, logistics and other sectors connected to the region’s growing blue economy.
With maritime trade, cruise tourism and supply-chain operations remaining important contributors to Caribbean economies, initiatives such as those supported by the ACMF are aimed at ensuring that more Caribbean nationals have the training and qualifications required to participate in the industry’s future.
The November gala will bring together industry executives and Caribbean stakeholders to celebrate that progress while raising additional resources for students seeking to enter a sector that remains vital to the region’s economic development.
