Hylant Plays Key Role in Bringing Marine Log Ship Repair USA Conference to Jacksonville

Toledo, OH May 19, 2026 — Jacksonville has been selected as the host location for the 2026 Marine Log’s Ship Repair USA Conference, reinforcing the city’s growing importance within America’s maritime industry and broader Maritime Industrial Base. The decision reflects months of industry collaboration, led in part by Hylant, with Managing Director of Marine, Sabrina Brigance, playing a central role in advocating for Jacksonville as a strategic host city. 

With renewed national focus on domestic shipbuilding, repair capacity, workforce development, and maritime readiness, Jacksonville offers a powerful setting to spotlight the people and infrastructure that keep U.S. fleets operational. The region’s strength in commercial and military marine operations, combined with its proximity to major maritime hubs, positions Jacksonville as a natural fit for a national ship repair forum.

Hylant supported bringing Marine Log’s Ship Repair USA Conference to Jacksonville based on several factors shaping the future of the maritime industry, including recent investments in ship repair infrastructure, the city’s strategic connection to Naval Station Mayport, growing commercial and defense-related maritime activity, and Florida’s expanding role within the nation’s maritime economy.

Through her leadership at Hylant and her longstanding relationships across the maritime sector, Brigance worked closely with Marine Log and industry stakeholders to demonstrate how hosting the conference in Jacksonville supports a broader coast-to-coast vision for the event and underscores the city’s growing importance within the maritime industry. Jacksonville offers a unique concentration of shipyards, a skilled maritime workforce, a robust JAXPort and ship repair infrastructure, and a direct role in national defense through its support of Naval Station Mayport.

“Ship repair is foundational to both our economy and our national security, yet it often operates behind the scenes,” Brigance said. “Bringing Marine Log’s Ship Repair USA Conference to Jacksonville puts that work, and the skilled workforce behind it, squarely in the spotlight at a time when both Florida and the nation are investing heavily in maritime infrastructure, domestic shipbuilding capacity, and long-term maritime workforce development.”

The conference will also highlight workforce development and career pathways in ship repair, recognizing welders, electricians, engineers, and other tradespeople who sustain the industry. An event aboard the historic USS Orleck will honor the legacy of American shipbuilders and repairers while reinforcing Jacksonville’s deep connection to naval service and maritime heritage.

By bringing Marine Log’s Ship Repair USA Conference to Jacksonville, Hylant continues its commitment to supporting the marine industry through advocacy, risk management, and strategic partnerships. The 2026 conference is expected to draw national attention to Jacksonville’s complete maritime ecosystem, where commercial industry, national defense, skilled labor, and infrastructure investment intersect to help shape the future of American ship repair.

About Hylant

Hylant is among the largest privately held insurance brokers in the United States, renowned for both expertise and high-touch service. Since 1935, Hylant has helped clients identify and address risk-related challenges before they become unmanageable by delivering solutions unique to their circumstances.

Hylant offers comprehensive risk management consultation, alternative risk financing services, business insurance brokerage, employee benefits brokerage and consultation, small business insurance and personal insurance services. Hylant provides solutions locally, nationally, and internationally.

About Marine Log

Marine Log, the leading B2B brand in the maritime industry, has been helping maritime professionals make informed decisions since 1878. Marine Log publishes a monthly magazine and five highly regarded newsletters, including the industry’s leading daily newsletter, Marine Log Daily News, a monthly podcast, three senior-level conferences serving the North American market – Ferries, Tugs, Towboats & Barges (TTB), and Ship Repair USA – as well as the annual Top Women in Maritime Celebration event.