Members of some of the New York-Metro area's most prominent maritime companies gathered this afternoon at the Port of New York Chapter of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Foundation. The meeting, which was highlighted by guest speaker, Ted Tregurtha, president of Moran Towing, Greenwich, Conn. Was held at the 3 West Club in Midtown Manhattan.
With members of New York’s other well-known tug boat family – McAllister Towing & Transportation – in attendance the event was well received by an industry that has faced its share of trials in the last few years.
According to Tregurtha though, this has not phased Moran in the least. He noted that while the company has undergone major changes and re-organization in the last five to 10 years, they have still managed to remain at the top of their game – specifically in the area of OPA 90 double hull barges. According to Tregurtha, almost half of Moran’s barges are already double-hulled, with the remainder to follow long before the actual mandated requirements.
He also touched on the company’s successful and ongoing quest for highly-skilled personnel and technologically advanced equipment. – including the company’s ability to withstand the layoffs that have been rampant in today’s workforce.
“For the past five years there have been no layoffs at Moran as a result of changes in demand,” Tregurtha said. “We would like to believe that this trend will continue.”
New challenges facing the marine industry were also discussed by Tregurtha who compared the state of the industry today as “radically different than it was 20 years ago.” However, he noted that Moran has been able to withstand the perils of the storm by rolling with the punches “gracefully.”
“We’re making small changes everyday, and will continue to develop a high level of training and service for the long term,” Tregurtha said.