
MARITIME RISK SYMPOSIUM
Forging Maritime Readiness through U.S. Shipbuilding, Supply Chains, and Workforce
Session Abstract
Forging Maritime Readiness through U.S. Shipbuilding, Supply Chains, and Workforce Challenges. This session examines how new maritime markets—drawing on U.S. industry strengths—can enhance US commercial shipbuilding capacity, strengthen a fragile supplier base, and reverse the decline of a shrinking skilled workforce to improve U.S. maritime and national security. Panelists will discuss the technology, finance, and policy requirements necessary to develop new markets.
Session Takeaway
Attendees will draw lessons from research reports and industry analysis to show how a methodical, national-scale effort to catalyze new maritime markets can mitigate maritime risk and rebuild American shipbuilding strength across both defense and commercial fleets.
Session Speakers

Dr. Adam Routh - Moderator
Deloitte
Adam Routh is the national security research lead for Deloitte’s Center for Government Insights. He examines how technology and geopolitics shape markets, institutions, and national security decisions. He helps senior leaders understand complex global trends and translate them into practical action. Drawing on experience in special operations, policy research, and consulting, he brings a grounded perspective on the ways strategy, politics, and technology affect both companies and government agencies.
At Deloitte, Adam has helped shape research agendas for the firm’s national security and space practices. He translates technical topics, including defense challenges, cyber issues, and emerging space capabilities, into insights that support decision-making. He leads interdisciplinary teams, builds partnerships across government and industry, and turns research into workshops, briefings, and strategies for senior leaders. He has also written extensively on national security issues and regularly briefs leaders in both government and industry.
Before joining Deloitte, Adam worked in defense policy research at the Center for a New American Security and served in the U.S. Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment. He holds a PhD in Defence Studies from King’s College London.

Peter Heron
Deloitte

Dustin Walper
Valstad
Dustin Walper is the Founder and CEO of Valstad Shipworks. Valstad builds AI-enabled manufacturing systems for distributed ship production and repair. Dustin has spent nearly two decades as a leader of technology companies.

Marc Baliotti
Mare Liberum
Marc Baliotti is a General Partner at Mare Liberum. Prior to joining Mare Liberum, Marc was a Senior Managing Director at AE Industrial Partners, an Aerospace, Defense & Government Services-focused alternative asset manager. Marc was the portfolio manager for AEI's Structured Solutions Fund, which was a growth capital strategy. Prior to joining AE Industrial in 2018, Marc spent over 13 years at GSO Capital Partners where he was a Managing Director in the Performing Credit Group.

Kai Skvarla
Maritime Executive
Kai Skvarla is a maritime and defense executive and senior industry consultant. He’s held leadership positions, including CEO, at Gulf Copper, Davie Defense, Serco and other companies shaping the future of defense and maritime industries.
