Steps Down

China Rongsheng Chairman Quits

Chairman of China's largest private shipbuilder, Zhang Zhirong, steps down from China Rongsheng Heavy Industries Group. Determined to put scandal behind it, China’s largest private shipbuilder, China Rongsheng Heavy Industries Group, has said its chairman has stepped down. to be replaced by the yard’s CEO, Chen Qiang, reports SinoShip News. Rongsheng was hit by an insider dealing scandal involving a firm owned by Zhang ahead of the $15.1bn bid for Canadian oil firm Nexen Inc by China offshore oil and gas producer CNOOC. Rongsheng’s profits have slumped this year amid a barren time for Chinese yards and shares of the Hong Kong-listed entity have dropped 30%. Source: SinoShip News

Samsung Chairman to Step Down

's most powerful businessman said he is stepping down after 20 years at the helm of the Samsung group, following his indictment for tax evasion and breach of trust.   A sombre Lee Kun-Hee made the shock announcement at a press conference called to announce reforms to the scandal-tainted group, which employs 200,000 people and accounted for more than 20 percent of the nation's exports last year. Special prosecutors charged Lee last Thursday following a three-month investigation into

Adrion Appointed CEO of CP Ships

The board of CP Ships Limited has appointed Adolf Adrion new CEO effective 1st January 2006 following the completion of the acquisition of CP Ships by Hapag-Lloyd at the end of 2005 The new CFO will be Ulrich Kranich, effective 1st February 2006. Adrion, also executive board member of Hapag-Lloyd AG, is retaining his previous responsibilities and is taking over from former CP Ships CEO Ray Miles, who stepped down from his post on 31st December 2005.

Adm. Allen Rumored to Head CG

According to UPI, an administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity said that when the head of the U.S. Coast Guard steps down in May, the White House will be nominating Coast Guard chief of staff Vice Adm. Thad Allen to the position. Allen -- who burnished his reputation, and that of the agency, when he stepped in to take control of post-Katrina recovery operations from the disgraced and later fired head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency

Crescent Unifies Ownership

U.K. shipping and transport group Crescent has unified its ownership structure. As of June 28, 2002, Crescent is wholly owned by the Bahamas-based Clipper Group. "It has been a great challenge to work with Clipper to focus and develop Crescent after its separation from the Hays transport group. It is a good time now for me to move on to new entrepreneurial challenges, and for Crescent to benefit from the backing which only a major group like Clipper can provide," says Hutch Wright

New Chairman Announced at Intercargo

Intercargo the trade Association representing the interests of the bulk shipping industry, has announced the appointment of Mr John Platsidakis as Chairman. Mr Platsidakis is currently Managing Director of Piraeus-based Anangel Maritime Services Inc., a function that he will continue to perform alongside his role as Intercargo Chairman. The appointment was made at the Annual General Meeting of Intercargo in London on 9 October

Somerville Takes Over at ABS

Robert D. Somerville, has been elected Chairman of ABS. He replaces Frank J. Iarossi who has stepped down after 14 years at the head of the world’s third largest classification society. The previously announced and carefully planned transition took effect with the approval of Somerville in the post by the ABS Council following the Annual Meeting of the society in New York today. The Council is a 60 person body, representative of the maritime industry

Lund Named New Statoil CEO

At its meeting on March 7, 2004, Statoil's board of directors appointed Helge Lund (42) as new chief executive for the Statoil group. Mr Lund is currently chief executive of Aker Kværner ASA. "Helge Lund was the first choice of the board and we are very pleased that he has agreed to lead Statoil in the years ahead," said Statoil chair Jannik Lindbæk. Lund graduated as a business economist at the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administrationin Bergen

Hume New W&O CEO, Guidry Advances in Pon

W&O, supplier of marine valves, pipe, fittings, engineered products and valve automation systems, announced that Michael Hume has been appointed President and CEO of W&O. He has been serving as the company’s Chief Operating Officer since 2009.  Jack Guidry, former president and CEO of W&O, has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Pon and CEO of PVI, one of Pon’s American holding companies, which owns W&O, DMC-Carter Chambers and AT Controls

Global Energy Leaders to Appear at Gastech 2012

Leaders representing their governments and the international energy community will come together later this year to tackle key challenges and examine the role for gas in the future energy mix at Gastech 2012, to be held October 8-11, 2012, in London. The Gastech 2012 Conference Program will highlight the major issues defining what has been termed the ‘Golden Age for Gas,’ with key technical and commercial sessions.