Chief Counsel

Ostrom Appointed MARAD Chief Counsel

Maritime Administrator Captain William G. Schubert announced the appointment of Robert B. Ostrom to serve as Chief Counsel for the Maritime Administration. He will provide counsel and advice for handling all legal matters with the agency. "I'm pleased to welcome Bob to MARAD's leadership team," Schubert said. "His broad range of experience will greatly enhance our efforts to provide more effective advocacy for America's vital maritime industries and Marine Transportation System." Ostrom will supervise the activities of MARAD'S Office of Chief Counsel, which includes five divisions focusing on general and international law, maritime assistance programs, ship financing contracts, legislation, and litigation. Additionally, the Office of Chief Counsel drafts proposed maritime legislation, executive orders and reports to Congressional and administrative offices and committees. The chief counsel also assists the Justice Department in litigation involving the agency and, with the authorization of that department, represents MARAD before federal, state and local courts and before administrative agencies of the government. Ostrom has more than 30 years of experience as an attorney, having served as a senior and managing partner in Maryland law firms and as the county attorney for Prince George's County, MD. For several years, Ostrom was a member of the board of directors of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)

Kvaerner Masa-Yards Elects New Executives

Kvaerner Masa-Yards has announced the following management changes: Jouko Virta, CFO; Martin Landtman, senior vice president, Marketing and Sales; Thomas Foss, chief legal counsel; and Arto Hein, manager of Human Resources and Development - Turku New Shipyard.

Boudreaux Corporate VP for Litigation, Huntington Ingalls

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (NYSE: HII) announced that Chad N. Boudreaux has joined the company as corporate vice president for litigation, investigations and compliance. He will report to Bruce N. Hawthorne, corporate vice president, general counsel and secretary, and to George M. Simmerman Jr., corporate vice president and deputy general counsel. Boudreaux comes to HII from Baker Botts LLP, where he established the law firm's Global Security and Corporate Risk Counseling practice

Larson Appointed General Counsel of FMC

Chairman Steven R. Blust announced the appointment of Amy W. Larson as the General Counsel of the Federal Maritime Commission effective January 11, 2004. Mrs. Larson is currently an attorney in the agency's Office of the General Counsel. Mrs. Larson is originally from Milton, Mass., and is a graduate of Wheaton College in Norton, Mass., and Columbus School of Law, Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. Prior to coming to the Commission, Mrs

Hvide Marine Elects New General Counsel

Hvide Marine has appointed Alan R. Twaits as senior vice president, general counsel and secretary with responsibility for all legal activities of the company, its subsidiaries and affiliates. Twaits replaces Ronald J. Bjelland, who was appointed earlier this year and has since left the company due to health reasons. Prior to joining Hvide, Twaits was senior vice president, general counsel and secretary at Premier Cruise Lines. He has also held positions with Carnival Corp

MCA Counsels Against Use of Decca on GPS Displays

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) issued a Press Notice counseling fishermen and other mariners against using the Decca format on GPS receivers. Reporting the position of a vessel in Decca coordinates (lanes and positions) is not acceptable and may lead to confusion and possible delay in responding to an emergency. Source: HK Law

Maersk Legal Department Applies Lean Methodologies

IQPC Exchange interviewed the General Counsel of Maersk Line to find out how the legal department  has utilised lean methodologies IQPC Exchange interviewed the General Counsel of Maersk Line, Martin Clausen, to find out how the legal department of the largest container ship operator in the world has utilised lean methodologies, and what impact this is having on productivity. Martin's team has implemented a number of systems and methods and is planning to expand these in the future

New York Firm to Buy Maritrans

Overseas Shipholding Group Inc. has a definitive agreement to acquire Maritrans Inc., for $455 million. Terms call for New York-based Overseas Shipholding to acquire Maritrans in an all-cash transaction for $37.50 a share, a 47 percent premium over Maritrans' closing price of $25.50 on Sept. 22. OSG also will assume Maritrans' debt outstanding as of June 30, according to a release from the companies. OSG will finance the deal through a combination of available cash and borrowings under

Foss Unveils New Management Structure

The Foss Maritime Company has created three new management positions aimed at strengthening its safety, compliance and environmental programs. Frank Williamson has been promoted to vice president, safety, quality and general counsel. Formerly Foss’ general counsel, Williamson will take on new responsibilities in health, safety, compliance and quality assurance. He will oversee the team responsible for developing and implementing safety and environmental programs.

Tidewater Elects Day, Announces Sr. Hire

New Orleans-based Tidewater Inc. elected James C. Day to its Board of Directors and reported it has hired Bruce Lundstrom as senior vice president, general counsel and secretary. Day joins Tidewater’s Board with more than 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. He is the retired chairman and former CEO of Noble Corp., one of the world’s largest offshore drilling companies. Day serves on the Board of Directors of ONEOK Inc