Executive Council News

Seafarers International Union President Emeritus Michael Sacco died December 28, 2023, in St. Louis, surrounded by family members. He was 86 years old and passed away from natural causes.Mike was the longest-serving president in SIU history, having led the organization from 1988 until his retirement in February 2023, a period spanning nearly 35 years.The Seafarers International Union, Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters, AFL-CIO, represents professional United States merchant mariners sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels in the deep sea…

The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers has officially welcomed its new senior officers at a Controlling Council meeting held in Athens, Greece.Taking over from Glenn Murphy as International Chair of the Institute is Luis Bernat. Prior to his election as Chair, Bernat has held the position of Vice Chair since 2021. He brings to the role extensive experience gained over almost 50 years in the industry. This includes, most recently, his role as Chartering Manager for TSL Shipping & Trading.

Iran's offer to host a maritime event in October has been rejected after a proposal led by the U.S. to rescind the bid was approved in a vote at the UN shipping agency's Council, an agency spokesperson said on Thursday.The move is likely to further raise tensions between Washington and Iran after Tehran tried to seize the Richmond Voyager tanker, which was managed by U.S. oil major Chevron, earlier in July in international Gulf waters.Iran had proposed to host a shipping event in Tehran in late October this year in conjunction with an annual maritime day hosted by the UN's International Maritime Organization (IMO), which was accepted in 2015 by the IMO's executive Council.The U.S.…

Dutch marine services company Van Oord has appointed Meike Salvadό-de Reede to the position of Chief People Officer (CPO) in its Executive Committee as of November 1, 2022. "Van Oord’s people agenda is fundamental to its strategy and to building a high-performance organization," Van Oord, which provides dredging and offshore energy installation services,said.Meike Salvadό-de Reede has a Civil Engineering background and over 20 years of experience in commercial, strategy and HR roles, most recently as CPO in the executive council of Royal HaskoningDHV.

America's largest military shipbuilding company Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding division has been named a recipient of a 2019 CIO 100 Award for adopting business-aligned IT strategies during its integration of modern technologies into shipbuilding.The ongoing initiative, known as Integrated Digital Shipbuilding (iDS), is transforming the way ships are being designed and built, said a press release form the Fortune 500 shipbuilding company.The annual awards program, sponsored by IDG’s CIO magazine and the CIO Executive Council, celebrates organizations that are using IT in innovative ways to deliver business value…

CMA CGM Group announced that the CMA CGM Fort de France, the first vessel belonging to its new fleet dedicated to the French West Indies, was christened on April 4th, 2019 in Martinique by Mrs. Annick Girardin, French Minister for Overseas Territories.This inauguration took place in the presence of Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the CMA CGM Group, Tanya Saadé Zeenny, Executive Officer, Alfred Marie-Jeanne, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Martinique Regional Authority…

Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a member of Abu Dhabi's Executive Council and Supreme Petroleum Council and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport, inaugurated the latest addition to Adnoc Logistics & Services' shipping fleet.The Abu Dhabi-based provider of shipping, maritime, port, logistics and oil field services said that the acquisition of the 2,850 TEUs large feeder vessel, Al Reem 1, brings Adnoc L&S's fleet to 123 vessels.Adnoc L&S revealed its plan to acquire its first crude oil tankers, while expanding its gas and dry bulk fleet, by adding more than 25 vessels within the next five years.Zayed Al Nahyan updated on Adnoc L&S strategic growth plans, which will transform it into a global shipping champion.

In line with the recent approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA is set to acquire strategic maritime safety and security assets, which are also in line with the total spectrum of maritime security strategy. The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside who made this known in Lagos recently, also announced the establishment of a command and control center as part of the strategic initiative. “The four components of the initiative are situational awareness, response capability, law enforcement and local partnerships, and regional cooperation which are the fulcrum upon which tackling maritime crime will be built on”. Dr.

The Federal Executive Council of Nigeria approved the Suppression of Piracy and Maritime Offences Bill, reported TVC News. The approval was given at a meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The two bills will now be forwarded to the National Assembly for approval and passage. The bill is to ensure the protection of the maritime industry against Piracy. According to Business Day, the intention is to accord protection to the maritime industry against piracy and indeed come up with a comprehensive policy position incorporated into the bill which is intended to ensure that at the end of the day…

Senior representatives from Bahri recently joined members of a Saudi Arabia delegation for board meetings of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which took place at the agency’s headquarters in London. The meetings come as part of the Kingdom’s preparations to submit its candidacy for the membership of the IMO Council under Category (C). Senior Bahri officials who participated in the discussions included Wael Al-Sarhan, Senior Vice President – Marketing, and Abdulaziz Sabri, Vice President, Bahri Ship Management. As part of its efforts to showcase the progress made by Saudi Arabia in improving maritime safety and infrastructure…

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside has stressed the strategic importance of security agencies to the achievement of safe and secure shipping and a viable and vibrant maritime sector for the country’s benefits. The Director General who stated this while playing host to the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Peter John Dauke at the Agency’s Headquarters in Lagos said that as the Agency strives to achieve a secure maritime environment…

The Supervisory Board of Royal HaskoningDHV has appointed Nynke Dalstra as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Going forwards, the Executive Board consists of CEO Erik Oostwegel and Nynke Dalstra (47) as CFO, a role she has held on an interim basis since October following the departure of former CFO Jaska de Bakker. Joop van Oosten, Chairman of the Supervisory Board: “We conducted an internal and external search for a new CFO and have concluded Nynke is the best candidate. She is talented, knows our company and our markets and has excellent leadership skills. Nynke Dalstra joined the company in 2009 as group controller for Royal Haskoning and in 2011 became Finance Director. In 2012 she was appointed Corporate Director Finance for Royal HaskoningDHV.

As the region’s 2015/2016 cruise season has come to a close, Abu Dhabi Ports, the master developer, operator and manager of ports and the Khalifa Industrial Zone in the Emirate, has released its best ever Cruise Terminal performance figures. With an increase of 16 percent in passengers and 20 percent increase in vessel calls, the state-of-the-art Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal is playing a prominent role in expanding the emirate’s tourism industry and achieving its economic diversification goals.

Drydocks World and Maritime World have won the Excellence Award given by the International Maritime Club at the Golden Bells Awards 2015 - Middle East. Drydocks World Group has won the Best Maritime Conference Award in recognition of their successin organizing the “2nd Mare Forum Dubai 2015,” which held its second edition on the 21st of January 2015 under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdanbin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council. “The 2nd Mare Forum Dubai 2015” the Dubai Global Summit of Marine and Maritime Leaders provided an interactive platform to network and debate contemporary themes in the shipping, marine and maritime industries.

There are five applicants for Louisiana's 15th and final riverboat gaming license. Once the Louisiana State Police have finished the process of evaluating the applications for completeness, they will begin background investigations to determine the applicants' suitability. If the license is awarded, it will be against the current wishes of Governor Mike Foster. His executive council, Chaney Joseph, gave the gaming board a letter signed by the governor, asking the panel delay any final decision on the 15th license, to give the Louisiana Legislature a chance to repeal authorization for it next year.

NATO Secretary General Lord George Robertson said that Serbia could not expect help to clear the Danube waterway of Kosovo war debris as long as Slobodan Milosevic remains president of Yugoslavia. Western reconstruction aid is barred as long as Milosevic is in power. But the Danube blockage is becoming acute as winter nears, with the threat of an ice buildup and flooding upstream. NATO-member Hungary and other Danube shipping states want to ease the no-aid policy so the river can be cleared at Novi Sad, in northwestern Serbia, before winter sets in. As NATO figures privately admit Milosevic is still firmly implanted, the Serbian opposition is urging the West to drop the blunt instrument of sanctions and help some reconstruction. But Robertson gave no sign concessions were being mooted.

Two Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division employees were recognized recently at the CIO Leadership Event. Deborah Morewitz and Karen Ryan both received the annual 'Ones to Watch' Award that identifies rising stars in information technology (IT). The awards, sponsored by CIO magazine and the CIO Executive Council, recognize IT professionals who have demonstrated leadership, driven innovation and delivered value to their business. "Deborah and Karen have demonstrated exemplary leadership and technical abilities in their roles in IT…

Support for NEVA 2011, the international maritime conference and exhibition taking place in St. Petersburg between September 20th and 23rd this year, has gathered momentum both within Russia and internationally in recent weeks. The event, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, is increasingly being viewed within Russia as not simply a niche maritime exhibition, but as a global business-to-business event. As a result it is being backed by the domestic business community at the highest level.

Harris County Commissioners Court has appointed longtime labor leader Clyde Fitzgerald to serve as a member of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority. Fitzgerald's appointment fills the seat of former Port Commissioner Jim Fonteno, who submitted his resignation to Commissioners Court in April, indicating his desire to spend more time with his wife and two young daughters. Clyde Fitzgerald, who started his career at age 16 working on the wharves of the Houston Ship Channel, was sworn in Tuesday after Commissioners Court selected him to fill Fonteno's unexpired term.

AVEVA (LSE:AVV), a leader in engineering design and information management solutions for the plant, power and marine industries, announced the successful conclusion of its AVEVA World Summits. Organised for AVEVA customers and partners, the three regional Summits were held through October and November in Copenhagen, Rio de Janeiro and Singapore. The theme for the 2011 Summits and other AVEVA World events for the next year is “Joined up thinking”. Delegates from across the globe…

Impressive keynote speakers, informative customer presentations and exciting new technologies. AVEVA, an engineering design and information management solutions for the plant, power and marine industries, today announced the successful conclusion of its AVEVA World Summits. Organised for AVEVA customers and partners, the three regional Summits were held through October and November in Copenhagen, Rio de Janeiro and Singapore. The theme for the 2011 Summits and other AVEVA World events for the next year is “Joined up thinking”.

The Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) is proceeding with the implementation of its Maritime Safety Policy as part of the first-of-its-kind maritime sector strategy’s initiatives for developing, organizing and promoting Dubai’s maritime industry. The new policy reflects the commitment of local government authorities to providing all forms of support to consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global maritime hub. It will promote maritime development and safety by requiring higher levels of operational performance and advanced…

Jannis Kostoulas, President Mare Forum visited to Dubai to review and discuss preparations for the upcoming First Mare Forum, Global Leaders Maritime Summit, Dubai 2014 to be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai & Chairman of Dubai Executive Council. During his visit, Kostoulas inspected the venue and discussed topics relating to the logistics and other arrangements with Mare Forums partners in the Summit Drydocks World & Maritime World.