Seabulk International, Inc. announced the appointment of Kenneth M. Rogers as President of its Seabulk Towing subsidiary. He was also elected a corporate Senior Vice President, reporting directly to President and Chief Executive Officer Gerhard E. Kurz. Rogers, 46, joined Seabulk Towing in 2001 as Senior Vice President for Marketing. He will be based in Fort Lauderdale and succeeds William R. Ludt, who is retiring after 23 years with the Company.
"Kenny Rogers is a proven leader who is well-known within the maritime industry," commented Kurz. "We are extremely pleased that he is taking the helm of our Towing operation, which is one of the largest in the Southeast. Kenny is a strong believer in marine safety and customer-driven service -- qualities which, I'm proud to say, have distinguished Seabulk Towing from its inception. Towing is the Company's original business, dating back to 1958, and we take great pride in our long-standing customer relationships, our high standard of equipment and the quality of our people."
Rogers is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and began his maritime career as a Deck Officer with Texaco in 1978, moving up the corporate ranks to senior positions with tanker fleet owner/operator OMI Corporation, Southern Ship Management and, most recently, the world's largest cruise company, Carnival Corporation.
As Seabulk Towing's President, he will focus on business development strategy, strengthening the customer base and adding significant new sources of revenue. He will oversee all of Seabulk Towing's operations, including Port Everglades Towing,
Port Canaveral Towing, Tampa Bay Towing, Mobile Bay Towing, Seabulk Towing Services-
Port Arthur, and Seabulk Towing Services-Lake Charles, as well as the unit's offshore towing business in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic. Seabulk Towing operates a fleet of 31 tugs and had revenues last year of $33 million.