US INDUSTRIES

MarAd’s Schubert: Building a Better U.S. Business

In part one of a two-part series, William G. Schubert, the new U.S. Maritime Administrator (MarAd) speaks with H. Clayton Cook, Jr. about the current standing and future direction of maritime activities in the United States. Mr. Administrator, this interview is being conducted for a piece that will be published in the August 2002 issue of Maritime Reporter and Engineering News, the largest magazine of general circulation in the maritime community. So, we have a good many readers who are interested in what you are doing. Your interview will be headlined on the magazine cover. And, we are very pleased that you have agreed to speak with us today. Cook: Would you tell our readers about yourself and life in Washington as the Maritime Administrator? Schubert: It is great to be in Washington, serving the President of the United States. It's a great honor and opportunity that I never imagined when I graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point) in 1974. After I left Kings Point, I went to sea for 12 years, sailing as an officer aboard U.S.-flag vessels. Also, I served 10 years as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy Reserve. I then worked at the Maritime Administration for nine years, spending four years in Washington (1986-1990) as an offshore industry expert advising the Maritime Administrator in policy development for the management, maintenance and liquidation of assets acquired through defaults under the Federal Ship Financing Program

GE US Equipment Financing Appoints New Marine Sales Leader

GE US Equipment Financing has appointed Steve Isaacson as National Sales Leader. Isaacson is a veteran of the commercial marine finance industry, joining GE in 2001 after a 15-year career managing SAFECO Credit’s national marine group in Seattle. Isaacson had served the past two years as the northwest regional sales manager for GE USEF. “Steve’s extensive industry expertise in Marine financing will help us provide our marine industry customers with a more customized set of solutions

Cabotage Off the Table in Trade Talks

The Jones Act will not be on the table when a new round of talks on international trade in services begins this fall, according to a draft document prepared by U.S. trade officials outlining U.S. objectives for the negotiations. The document outlines the Administration's broad goals and industry-specific negotiating objectives for the upcoming "Seattle Round" of services trade negotiations under the World Trade Organization

Swift Appointed Foundation GM

Captain Peter J. Swift has been appointed as the General Manager of the Maritime Industry Foundation. He takes up his new position with effect from June 2007. Before joining the Maritime Industry Foundation, Captain Swift spent forty eight years in the maritime industry. Twenty of those years were at sea, with command experience on LNG carriers, OBOs and aframax tankers. Shore experience included marine operations and technical management positions with P & O Bulk Shipping Division

KVH Industries Wins Patent Trial

A jury for the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota ruled that KVH Industries, Inc., is not liable for infringing King Controls' U.S. Patent 6,864,846. According to the verdict, the jury found that claim 5 of the patent, the only claim at issue, was in fact invalid due to the existence of prior art as well as the obviousness of the technology. King Controls said that KVH was liable for royalties and sought an injunction against selling certain products because satellite

US Boat Industry Business Improves, Statistics Show

National Marine Manufacturers Association annual statistical report shows improving U.S. recreational boating industry The NMMA’s annual Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract is the U.S. recreational boating industry’s most comprehensive compilation of statistics and research. The new data signals the beginning of a recovery for the U.S. recreational boating industry. The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) say that in 2011 U.S

Drilling Industry Stretched By High Demand

The lure of higher oil and gas prices has pushed the number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the United States to a 10-year high, stretching the drilling industry close to its limits. The domestic rig count reached 1,163 during the week ending March 23 - the highest number since December 10, 1990 - when 1,179 rigs were in use, according to oil services firm Baker Hughes Inc. Spurred by record gas prices and the biggest oil market boom for two decades, independent U.S

Careers in the U.S. $70 Billion Composites Industry

IYRS, a Rhode Island marine trades & technology school, to partner with Maine businesses to run 'Open House' prorgrams on careers & training opportunities in the composites industry. “Composites construction has a wide range of application in today’s industry—and many individuals may not realize that there are a wealth of career opportunities for those with the right level of interest, aptitude and skill,” said Clark Poston of IYRS

Challenges Facing U.S. Private Maritime Security Industry

US Congressman meets with Skye Maritime to learn of factors inhibiting US private maritime security businesses. Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA), a Marine combat veteran and member for the House Armed Services Committee, met with senior executives at Skye Maritime, a California based, veteran owned and operated private maritime security company today to discuss the challenges facing U.S maritime security firms. "Congressman Hunter is concerned about the rising threat of Somali piracy

Cruise Industry Adds to US Trade Defecit Declares Lobbyist

Executive claims 'Carnival Triumph', 'Carnival Splendor' & even 'Costa Condordia' are but the "Tip of the Iceberg". World City America Inc., president, Stephanie Gallagher asks when will U.S. politicians and reporters ask the right questions about this non-U.S. industry? An extract from her statement follows: American passengers account for over 90 percent of the revenues earned by over 150 foreign-flag cruise ships sailing out of U.S. ports