Spotlight On Holli B. Packer
HOW DID YOU GET INTO MARITIME LAW? I got into maritime law thanks to my time in the U. S. Coast Guard, where I built a solid foundation in maritime operations and law enforcement. I graduated from the Coast Guard Academy and subsequently served five years as an Officer in the active- duty U. S. Coast Guard. During my sea- going service, I served as a deck watch officer on a medium- endurance cutter conducting law enforcement on the east coast and in the Caribbean, and later as Second-in- Command of a sentinel- class cutter in Miami Beach, Florida.
HOLLI B. PACKER ASSOCIATE
After my time in the Coast Guard, I went to Tulane Law School where I was Editor in Chief of the Tulane Maritime Law Journal and a member of the John R. Brown Admiralty Moot Court Team. I ultimately got my J. D. and earned the Admiralty and Maritime Law Certificate. All of this set me up extremely well for a career in maritime law.
WHAT ARE THE KEY ISSUES IMPACTING PLAYERS IN THE MARITIME SPACE IN 2025?
• Carbon Emissions Regulations. Efforts to reduce carbon emissions will continue to impact players in the maritime industry. The results of the ongoing carbon emissions regulatory debate will influence future decisions on ship fuel orders and their timing. Immediate alternative fuel options continue to be commercially limited. New Emission Control Areas are planned for 2025 and 2026, further limiting the types of fuels available to be used in regions worldwide. Meanwhile, the Red Sea crisis, forcing ships to re-route around the Cape of Good Hope instead of the Suez Canal, is causing a significant increase in CO 2 emissions due to longer distances and potentially higher speeds, impacting both global trade and shipping emissions.
• Cybersecurity. Cybersecurity will continue to be an ongoing issue in 2025. The U. S. Coast Guard published a new rule at the start of the year addressing cybersecurity in the Marine Transportation System. Facilities subject to the Maritime Transportation Security Act should review their Facility Security Plans and ensure the required training is completed before January 1, 2026.
• Crew Shortages. The shipping industry is facing a global seafarer shortage, impacting safety, efficiency, and global trade, with rising vessel numbers and declining interest in seafaring careers contributing to the problem. International Chamber of Shipping experts expect a shortfall of 90,000 trained seafarers by 2026. The industry needs to develop a multi-faceted approach to improve recruitment, enhance working conditions, invest in training and education, and leverage technology to improve connectivity in hopes of increasing youth interest in going to sea.
HOW DOES THE GROUP WORK WITH BLANK ROME’ S OTHER SERVICE LINES?
I, along with other members of the Maritime group, are members of the Energy and Transportation industry teams. I’ ve found that participation in these industry groups allows for collaborative business development efforts that otherwise is not possible. The discussions and events planned by these industry groups allow us to better serve our clients through teamwork and the sharing of best practices. p – 2025 BLANK ROME LLP
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