GULFMARK AMERICAS

GulfMark Options to Build Second Aker Vessel

GulfMark Offshore, Inc. has exercised an option to build a second Aker PSV09 design vessel. This vessel, which will be an identical sister ship to the Aker PSV09 currently under construction in Norway, is a 4,850 deadweight ton, diesel electric powered platform supply vessel. The purchase price for this vessel is approximately $30 million, with delivery currently expected during the third quarter of 2007. GulfMark will be the majority investor in a joint venture for the construction of the vessel. GulfMark has elected to purchase 100 percent of the first Aker PSV09 and has the right to purchase this vessel upon pre-agreed terms. Including this vessel, the GulfMark currently has ten owned vessels under construction bringing the fleet of owned vessels to 58 in 2008 when the last vessel is delivered. Without additional changes, at the conclusion of this expansion the fleet would be comprised of 58 owned and 10 managed vessels.

GulfMark Offshore Announces Vessel Sales, Delivery and Acquisition

GulfMark Offshore, Inc. today announced the completion of the sale of the Highland Patriot, the Highland Sentinel, the delivery of the newbuild Sea Sovereign, and the acquisition of an option vessel, Hull 861B. The Highland Patriot, a 1982 built 233 ft. platform supply vessel operating in Southeast Asia and the Highland Sentinel, a 1979 built 266 ft. platform supply vessel operating in the North Sea were sold in September and October, respectively

New OSVs Bolster Operations

Two new 220 ft. OSVs, rigged for flexible, efficient operation, are beginning to pay off for Gulf Offshore Marine, an affiliate of GulfMark Offshore, Lafayette, La. The sister vessels, measuring 217.5 x 54 x 20 ft., with a 16.1 ft. loaded draft, were launched in late 1999 from Bender Shipyard, Mobile, Ala. Highland Scout entered service in Brazil in January and Highland Guide entered service in Borneo in February. Vessel conceptual design was a collaborative effort between Gulf Offshore and

Holland America Line Opens Rotterdam Office

From its start 134 years ago as a Rotterdam-based shipping firm, Holland America Line opened an office in Rotterdam. The Seattle-based cruise line returns by opening a sales and marketing office. Located in the Kop van Zuid section of Rotterdam on Wilhelmina Pier, the new office will eventually house approximately 30 Holland America Line staff members, responsible for shipboard hiring, purchasing, and sales and marketing

Bender Fights Bankruptcy

Bender Shipbuilding & Repair, based in Mobile, Alabama, said that a petition has been filed to put the company into involutary bankruptcy. The company had yet to be served, but it did say that it is in contractual disputes with two of the three creditors who filed the petition, including GulfMark Offshore Inc. Bender disputes GulfMark's claims and believes that the petition is invalid. "It is unfortunate that GulfMark has chosen to go this route," said Tom Bender

Gulf Offshore Selects CapRock VSAT

CapRock Communications announced a three-year contract with Gulf Offshore – a wholly owned subsidiary of GulfMark Offshore Inc. – to deploy its broadband maritime service, SeaAccess Communications, onboard its fleet operating in the North Sea and along the coast of Africa. SeaAccess’ VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) services will enable GulfMark to extend its corporate IT network and applications to its vessels and provide onboard crew morale services.

MTN to Provide WiFi Services to Holland America

Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN), of Miramar, Fla., has signed an agreement with Holland America Line to provide complete wireless technology to its existing fleet of eleven vessels and as well as Holland America’s newest vessel, the Oosterdam, which enters service in August. Under the agreement, MTN will provide wireless Internet capabilities in the public rooms surrounding the Internet Cafés of Holland America’s fleet

Griffin Marine Travel and Instone form Griffin Americas

Griffin Marine Travel and Instone International Americas announced that their U.S. operations will merge, creating the largest competitive provider of crew travel management services in North America. The merger makes strategic sense for both parties. The companies serve the same markets, share the same aspirations and are totally customer service driven. Griffin Marine Travel brings a global cohesive network of 21 offices; Instone International Americas contributes an exceptionally

Zarmati Named President & CEO of Costa Cruise Lines—North America

Maurice Zarmati has been named president and CEO of Costa Cruise Lines—North America. Zarmati, who is currently vice president of sales for Carnival Cruise Lines, will assume his new role beginning March 31, 2008. An accomplished sales executive, Zarmati has been with Carnival Cruise Lines since 1972, leading one of the largest and most successful sales teams in North America. In his new role as president and CEO of Costa Cruise Lines—North America

Ports America Appoints Tilden

Douglas Tilden has been named to the advisory board of Ports America Group. Tilden most recently served as chairman of Ports America Group, the largest stevedoring and terminal operating company in the Americas providing services at 97 terminals in 50 U.S. ports. Ports America Group (PAG) is an affiliated group of terminal operating companies owned by Highstar Capital, a leading infrastructure fund. Tilden’s career in the shipping industry began in 1969 with United States Lines