Business Management News

Reserve, La. based DSC Dredge announced it has appointed Rondi Carlos-Volpi as director of human resources (HR).Volpi brings to the role more than 25 years of experience in HR, including 17 years in engineering-related roles and 3 years in the construction-related industry. She is a graduate of the University of New Orleans with a bachelor's degree in business management, specializing in HR management.Doy Dugan, DSC Dredge's chief financial officer, said, "We are delighted to have Ms. Volpi join our team.

Colonna's Shipyard said Wednesday that its President & CEO, Tom Godfrey, would retire effective December 31, 2023. Randall Crutchfield has been named to replace Godfrey as the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Crutchfield is currently Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer (COO). Additionally, Jordan Webb, currently Executive Vice President of Shipyard Operations, will become President & General Manager. Both appointments are effective January 1, 2024.“Randall…

South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean is conducting a comprehensive cooperation project to train and recruit Vietnamese workers.Hanwha Ocean signed an MOU with the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam (MOIT) in Hanoi, Vietnam on July 22. The aim is to meet the recruitment needs of Hanwha Ocean in the future by supporting programs for strengthening the capabilities of vocational training institutions under the Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade. Through this, Hanwha Ocean expects to be able to establish a stable recruitment plan for skilled foreign technical personnel.

iconsys, a UK maritime automation solutions provider and systems integrator, announced the appointment of Jordan Tassell as its new Head of Marine and Ports.Tassell, who previously spent eight years at global OEM, ABB, within its marine and ports division, will be spearheading a number of initiatives at iconsys. These include developing key relationships with existing customers and platform partners, and working directly with OEMs and end-users with their decarbonization objectives.

International trade by sea has long been a key part of the world economy and approximately 90% of traded commodities is reliant on shipping. Once wind-propelled in the days of sail, the current generation of ships now heavily rely on fossil fuels. Fossil fuel propulsion contributes to global warming with carbon emissions approximating 940 MtCO2e per year and also has health implications for communities surrounding ports through the release of air pollutants. The environmental impact of fossil-fuelled engines is further compounded by their use in port infrastructure…

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson has selected Jackie Q. Carter to serve as Municipal Port Director. In this position, Carter will direct commercial and recreational operations at Port Milwaukee, oversee a staff of twenty people, and administer Foreign Trade Zone No. 41. The appointment is subject to Common Council approval.A lifelong resident of Milwaukee, Carter has worked in the local non-profit and public sector for more than 20 years. She most recently served as the Finance & Administration Officer for Port Milwaukee…

Norfolk, Va. ship repair yard Colonna’s Shipyard announced a series of senior management promotions along with a revised organizational structure effective July 2022.Jordan Webb, currently Vice President, Contracts, has been promoted to Vice President of Shipyard Operations. Randall Crutchfield, currently Colonna’s Chief Experience Officer and Executive Director of Steel America and Weld America, has been named Vice President of Industrial Operations and Facilities. Chris Marsh…

All-domain defense and technologies partner HII announced today that Stephen Fitts has been promoted to vice president of contracts and pricing at its Ingalls Shipbuilding division. Fitts succeeds Eric Crooker who assumed a new role in March as vice president of infrastructure and sustainability.Fitts will have overall responsibility for contracts, estimating and pricing, and export/import licensing and compliance for the Ingalls shipyard, and will report to Keith Munn, Ingalls’…

The Port of Corpus Christi Authority has named Marcelo “Yudi” Takizawa as its Director of Trade Development. Takizawa has more than 20 years of commercial business and market development leadership experience in the energy and marine transportation space. He comes to the Port of Corpus Christi from Vopak.In his new role, Takizawa will oversee all business and trade development initiatives for the Port of Corpus Christi, including market development, management of customer relationships…

Long-serving marine, energy and industrial market consultancies International Maritime Associates and World Energy Reports have merged to form Intelatus Global Partners.While Intelatus is a new name, its team of business consultants has nearly five decades of experience across the entire maritime supply chain, producing multi-client analytical studies for sectors including offshore oil and gas, renewables and the energy transition, ports and terminals, transport and logistics…

Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) announced that Matt Mulherin Jr. has been promoted to vice president of contracts at its Newport News Shipbuilding division. Mulherin succeeds Christie Thomas, who has been appointed corporate vice president, investor relations.Mulherin will have overall responsibility for contracts, pricing, and export/import licensing and compliance for Newport News. He will report to Don Godwin, Newport News vice president of business management and…

Eastern Shipbuilding Group is one of America’s leading shipbuilders. Perhaps best known for its history building tugs, towboats and offshore supply vessels, the company is today finding success in other markets, with notable build projects underway for the U.S. Coast Guard, Staten Island Ferry and dredging contractor Weeks Marine. Eastern’s president Joey D’Isernia weighs in on the yard’s current workload, market drivers and the challenges overcome and on the horizon.Where do you see the best opportunities for Eastern Shipbuilding Group today?We see a lot of opportunity in the defense sector…

America’s largest military shipbuilding company Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced that Ashutosh Gokhale has been appointed vice president, business management and chief financial officer for its Technical Solutions division.Gokhale will replace Billy Jahn upon his retirement on July 9 and will be responsible for all financial management and business management functions in Technical Solutions. Gokhale will be located at HII’s offices in Fairfax, Va., and will report to Andy Green…

As new chief commercial officer of Port Manatee, Charles D. Tillotson looks to bolster diverse cargo growth at the global gateway of Southwest and Central Florida.“Working with the Port Manatee team, my goal is to double the port’s volume of cargo activity over the coming 10 years,” said Tillotson, who brings nearly four decades of maritime industry experience to the position. “We are seeking to build upon Port Manatee’s current trend of record trade by advancing further diverse revenue streams.”Tillotson most recently served as senior vice president of business development for Altamont…

Naval architecture and marine engineering firm Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) said its board of directors has appointed Robert Ekse as president of the firm. Ekse will assume the position from current president and chief engineer, Brian King, who is retiring after 33 years of service. King will remain active in EBDG projects in a limited capacity, accepting the role as principal emeritus."Brian will be deeply missed, but his many accomplishments will be a reminder of his contributions to our industry…

NAVTOR launched NavFleet, touted by the company as a "breakthrough application" developed over the past two years in collaboration with shipowners designed to open up a new horizon of possibilities: enabling real-time operational insight, performance optimization and enhanced business decision making for fleet management.NAVTOR has made its name through the development of a suite of e-Navigation products, delivered, updated and connected through a cyber secure ecosystem that unites shoreside and vessel teams.

America's largest military shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries announced Friday that Keith Munn has been promoted to vice president, business management, and chief financial officer for its Ingalls Shipbuilding division in Pascagoula, Miss.Effective February 15, Munn will be responsible for all financial management, contract management and business management functions at Ingalls, reporting to Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias. Munn replaces Tom Stiehle, who has…

On 1 December 2020, Ingrid Uppelschoten Snelderwaard will take up the role as global COO of Svitzer A/S, reporting to CEO Kasper Friis Nilaus. She will be based in Copenhagen.Uppelschoten Snelderwaard joins Svitzer from her current position as Global Head of Equipment and VP at Maersk and takes over from Svitzer’s current COO, Leonardo Sonzio, who will be moving on to become Maersk's Head of Fleet Operations.Uppelschoten Snelderwaard holds a degree in Economics and Languages from Hogeschool Zeeland, and a degree in Business Management from Nyenrode University in the Netherlands.

Please describe your professional background and what attracted you to your current position.In June 2020, I was named president and chief executive officer of Halter Marine. I had been retired around six years. My wife and I bought a piece of property outside of Brookhaven, Miss., and we were enjoying retired life split between our country property and our home in Gautier, Miss. Earlier this year, I was asked if I would consider a consulting role for Halter Marine, which led…

Paul Cooke, President and CEO of Bosch Rexroth North America, based in Charlotte, NC, USA, will retire on December 31, 2020 after 38 years of service in various international positions within Bosch Rexroth. His successor as of December 1, 2020 will be Greg Gumbs, most recently Vice President & General Manager Electrical Automation Solutions at EATON Corporation. Gumbs will join Bosch Rexroth effective September 1, 2020 in preparation for his future responsibility and will be based at Bosch Rexroth North American headquarters in Charlotte…

ST Engineering North America, Inc. announced Monday that Robert "Bob" L. Merchent has been named President and CEO of VT Halter Marine, Inc. He replaces outgoing President and CEO, Ron Baczkowski.Much of Merchent's career was spent at Ingalls Shipbuilding, where he advanced through multiple positions of ever-increasing responsibility, leading programs critical to both the business and the U.S. Navy, culminating his career there as the Vice President, Surface Combatants, Fleet Services and U.S.

Crowley Maritime Corp. announced today that Ray Fitzgerald, who began his career with Crowley and most recently served as president and chief operating officer of Wallenius Wilhelmsen Solutions, and chairman of American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier (ARC), will rejoin the company March 1 as chief operating officer reporting to Tom Crowley, company chairman and CEO. He will be based at the company’s headquarters in Jacksonville, Fla.Fitzgerald will lead the team of Crowley’s four senior vice presidents and general managers: Rocky Smith…

Japanese shipping major Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has unveiled a number of new restructuring measures effective April 1, 2020.According to a press release, the  marine transportation provider intends to establish three new divisions and integrate its two tanker divisions to achieve synergy.MOL will establish the Offshore Gas Project Division as an organization focused on businesses related to the LNG field in energy value chains (FSRU projects, LNG bunker vessel project, etc.) to accelerate the enhancement of the offshore business, in which the company is concentrating the investment of management resources, as set out in Rolling Plan 2019.The Offshore Project Division shall have specific responsibilities in crude oil fields such as FPSO projects…