According to a U.S. Department of Defense report, corrosion costs the U.S. military more than $22.5 billion annually. This weakens naval shipyards, degrades fleet reliability, and threatens the modernization of America’s maritime infrastructure.
As global adversaries ramp up naval investment, the U.S. should act now to protect its readiness. That starts with the materials that hold it all together.
With that in mind, the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) — the leading global authority in corrosion control and protective coatings — is convening experts, engineers, and industry leaders for AMPP Advocacy Day 2025.
Held in Washington, DC, from July 9-10, the two-day event is focused on advancing policy solutions that strengthen America’s maritime future through corrosion mitigation and innovation in coatings. Registration is now open.
Participants will meet with congressional offices and federal agencies to advocate for innovative, science-driven policies that support shipyard modernization, workforce development, and protective coating standards, thereby promoting long-term resilience.
“Corrosion isn’t just an industry problem—it’s a national readiness issue,” says Kern Williams, government relations manager at AMPP. “We’re bringing the voice of materials experts directly to policymakers, so corrosion prevention is embedded into shipbuilding legislation, funding, and infrastructure strategy, from the start.”
Key Issues on the Hill
According to AMPP, key issues are as follows:
- Maritime Security at Risk: Corrosion threatens the effectiveness and longevity of ships, shipyards and military platforms.
- Shipbuilding Bottlenecks: Without preventive coatings and trained specialists, modernization plans can fall short.
- Workforce Gaps: Aging infrastructure demands a new generation of skilled coatings professionals to keep pace with national defense goals.
- Standards Matter: A uniform application of proven, protective technologies ensures safety, performance, and cost efficiency.
Who Should Attend
Advocacy Day is open to AMPP members and partners in:
- Shipbuilding and naval logistics
- Protective coatings manufacturing and inspection
- Infrastructure engineering and quality assurance (QA)
- Government contracting and public policy
- Maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO)
Participation is free, though attendees are responsible for travel and accommodations. The deadline for the hotel group rate is Wednesday, June 18.
Podcast: Get an Inside Look
Ahead of Advocacy Day, hear directly from industry leaders in a special roundtable podcast. Kristin Leonard (Sherwin-Williams) and D. Terry Greenfield (CONSULEX) recently joined AMPP’s Williams and Ben DuBose to break down the top legislative priorities. These include coatings innovation, infrastructure investment, and the vital role of corrosion prevention in national security.
For more information or to register for Advocacy Day, visit the AMPP Advocacy Day web page.
Source: AMPP, www.ampp.org.
