Overall Management News

Hornblower Group on Monday announced the promotions of several key members of its leadership team.“These changes within the leadership team represent a significant milestone for Hornblower Group as we forge ahead in working toward our company’s ambitions goals,” said Kevin Rabbitt, Chief Executive Officer for Hornblower Group. “I have full confidence that this group, with their impressive backgrounds and extensive industry knowledge, will significantly contribute to supporting our company's overall business strategy and lead us toward a successful future.

The d'Amico Group announced Cesare d'Amico has taken over as chief executive officer of the Italian shipowner's dry cargo business unit.Cesare d'Amico, who already serves as CEO of d'Amico Società di Navigazione SpA, has always been directly involved in the company's strategic decisions relating to the dry cargo business unit, which operates a core fleet of 50 vessels mainly in the Post Panamax/ Kamsarmax, Supramax and Handy segments. An additional 20 vessels are chartered in…

ZF Marine Propulsion Systems Miramar, LLC announced that Drew Orvieto has been promoted to the position of Senior Manager, Commercial Fast Craft and Engineering – North America. Orvieto, a 4+ year member of the ZF team first worked with the company as an intern in 2011.Orvieto returned to ZF in 2015 after completing a Master’s degree in engineering, followed by a period as a naval architect at a large American boat builder. Upon his return to ZF, Orvieto took a position as naval architect…

The Netherlands based Royal IHC said it has been awarded a contract to modify McDermott International Inc.’s pipelay and construction vessel Amazon. The scope includes the delivery of an innovative and complete J-lay system to the Houston based company.IHC will be responsible for the overall management of the modification project, from the design through to the integration of the new equipment. It includes the construction and installation of the IHC-designed and patented J-lay system…

On July 27 DAMEN SeaXplorer marked a milestone in the construction of the SeaXplorer 77 expedition yacht at a keel laying ceremony at Damen Shipyards Galati on the banks of the Danube. The owner attended the ceremony and welded the traditional coin on the keel. Following the hull building phase, the 77-meter luxury expedition yacht (253 ft) will arrive at Damen’s Vlissingen East yard in the Netherlands for completion and on-schedule delivery in Q4 2020.The SeaXplorer 77 is a customized design from the DAMEN SeaXplorer range.

Prospective maritime caterers can now be assured of quality training and additional funding, thanks to a new apprenticeship standard developed by the UK’s Maritime Trailblazer group, said UK Chamber of Shipping. The new Maritime Caterer apprenticeship has been designed to train people to organise a kitchen and cook meals across a number of shifts that span the cultural needs of multinational crews. The new standard, which has been approved by the UK’s Institute for Apprenticeships, covers cookery skills, stocktaking and kitchen management, and outlines the skills, understanding and behaviour expected of caterers onboard ships. As part of the apprenticeship…

Venkatraman Sheshashayee (Shesh), Chief Executive Officer of Miclyn Express Offshore (MEO), will relinquish his position at the end of March 2018. Shesh joined MEO in 2014. He was responsible for the promotion, development and extension of the business of the Group as well as the overall management of the Group’s operations. Shesh’s intention was to serve as CEO for three years and thereafter pursue non-business interests. In this regard, Shesh has confirmed that he will relinquish his position as CEO at the end of March 2018. The Board wishes to express its appreciation for the commendable leadership that Shesh has provided the Company during his tenure. The Board is actively seeking to appoint a successor.

Cruise ship marine operations expert John Schneider is joining the board of directors at FarSounder, Inc. Over the last 12 years, Schneider has worked in the cruise ship segment of the marine industry as fuel and energy optimization manager (Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises), superintendent engineer (Celebrity Cruises), and as vessel manager for ResidenSea’s residential passenger vessel The World. In this position, he was responsible for the overall management of the vessel within the marine operations department reporting to both WSM and to ResidenSea's Senior Management.

U.S. shipbuilder VT Halter Marine, Inc., a subsidiary of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), has appointed Robert A. Socha as Senior Vice President of Business Development and Estimating, effective January 30, 2017. In his role, Socha is responsible for overall management and leadership of the company’s business development and estimating departments. He will work closely with other corporate functions, including departments of engineering, production control, production…

Bruno Faure, Group Senior Vice President Subsea Projects and Operations at Technip  has taken over the role of President of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), the association representing the interests of more than 1,000 offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies in more than 60 countries. In addition to becoming President of IMCA, having served as Vice President of IMCA since September 2014, he also becomes Chairman of the association’s Overall Management Committee (OMC).

Tiny pieces of plastic or fibers, known as Micro-plastics, may act as a pathway for persistent, bio accumulating and toxic substances entering the food chain, and are increasingly being found in the oceans and may prove to be as harmful to marine life as more obvious, larger debris, such as plastic bags, according to a new report. The report, Sources, fates and effects of microplastics in the marine environment - a global assessment, has been published by the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP)…

Technip was awarded by Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (ADMA-OPCO) a contract for project management consultancy (PMC) services for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) works of the Nasr Phase II Full Field Development project – Packages 1, 2 & 3. The Nasr Phase II Full Field Development project serves ADMA-OPCO’s overall strategic objective for the midterm total sustainable production target. The Nasr field is being developed to secure an annual average production of 65Kb/d of crude oil by using offshore process facilities, wellheads, pipelines and facilities on Das Island. The scope of work covers the overall management of the EPC phases under execution in United Arab Emirates, Singapore and South Korea.

Customs brokerage and trade compliance advisors, Livingston, say that to better reflect the company’s integral role in regulatory affairs for its clients, Livingston has appointed Candace Sider to the newly created position of Vice President, Regulatory Affairs Canada. Sider will be responsible for developing and implementing government affairs strategy, as well as the overall management of Livingston’s political engagement with federal and provincial officials, regulatory agencies and key policymakers. She will be Livingston’s primary representative with the Canada Border Services Agency, focused on regulatory changes that impact global trade, compliance and risk management.

Richard A. Mueller named John P. Dooley President of Choice Ballast Solutions, LLC. Working in close cooperation with ballast water systems suppliers and vessel owners, Dooley will be responsible for the overall management of the Choice commercial marine business activities, providing ballast water treatment systems integration from survey to signoff. Choice services include surveys, engineering, drawings, project management, equipment commissioning and startup and service. He will be located in Cleveland, Ohio and report directly to Mueller, CEO of Choice.

Energy industry project & construction management firm Universal Pegasus International (UPI) appoint two senior vice-presidents. The company name Tom Davison as Senior Vice President of Onshore Operations and Martin Morrison as Senior Vice President of Offshore Operations. In his role, Davison is responsible for the overall management, performance and growth of business for Onshore Operations at Universal Pegasus International. Additionally, he will provide technical leadership in project development and execution including the development of best practices and improving project delivery.

Massimo Fontolan, of Saipem Ltd., takes on the role of President of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA). Mr. Fontolan is currently Vice President Commercial, North Atlantic and Arctic at Saipem Ltd. In addition to becoming President of IMCA, he also becomes Chairman of the association's Overall Management Committee (OMC), having served as Vice President of IMCA for the past two years. He is a Civil Engineer with a degree in hydromechanics and quick to point…

The Board and Management of Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M) wish to announce several new appointments as part of ongoing efforts to put in place a strong leadership team to continually reinforce the Group's growth strategy. Mr Michael Chia, 59, has been appointed Managing Director (Marine) of Keppel O&M and will oversee Keppel O&M's Marine Division which includes Keppel Shipyard, Keppel Singmarine and other marine-related overseas yards. Mr Chia will concurrently hold his appointments as Managing Director (Technology) of Keppel O&M and Managing Director of Keppel O&M Technology Centre. He will report directly to Mr Chow Yew Yuen, Chief Operating Officer of Keppel O&M.

Joe Rella, president and chief operating officer of Austal USA since 2007, has reportedly resigned from the company. Austal's board of directors has accepted his resignation. Brian Leathers, who had been serving as chief financial officer, will serve as interim president of Austal USA. Craig Perciavalle will serve as vice president of shipyard operations."This transition is a natural step," said Austal chief executive officer Andrew Bellamy. Austal has an active contract with the U.S. Navy to build nine Spearhead-class Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV) under a 10-ship, $1.6 billion contract. Beyond this, the company also has a contract to build up to 10 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). Austal is conducting a search for new leadership, according to the company.

The Chief Executive of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), Hugh Williams, 59, has announced his intention to stand down at the end of 2012 after 10 years in post. IMCA is the international trade association for offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies with about 850 members in over 60 countries all around the world. It focuses on offshore construction and marine operations mainly in support of offshore oil & gas, but also marine renewable energy, dredging and telecommunications cable laying.

Dr. John Barlow, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean at Maine Maritime Academy (MMA), announced the appointment of Captain Timothy N. Leach, of Castine, Maine, to the post of director of career services and cadet shipping at the Castine college. Leach, the immediate past waterfront operations manager at MMA, recently transitioned to the post, bringing with him more than 30 years of experience in maritime industry relations, vessel operations, and marina management. In his new position at Maine Maritime Academy, Leach will be responsible for the overall management of the college’s career services department which liaisons between current students and alumni, and the greater maritime industry to facilitate employment opportunities, networking, and industry relations.

BIMCO’s Grant Hunter joins Executive Committee of ESS Databridge Development Group. Addition of shipping documentation and contracts expert will bring further relevant expertise to ESS’s industry user group. Electronic Shipping Solutions announced the appointment of BIMCO’s Grant Hunter to the Executive Committee of the ESS-Databridge Development Group (DDG). An acknowledged expert on bills of lading, Grant is Chief Documentary Affairs Officer at BIMCO and is responsible for the development, revision and promotion of BIMCO’s wide range of standard contracts and clauses.

North P&I Club recently executed a round of staff promotions across it various operating departments that take effect tomorrow. Joint managing director Paul Jennings says, "We congratulate all 19 staff members on their excellent and well-deserved achievements. The most prestigious promotion is for Alan Lo, who becomes a director of club’s wholly owned management company, North Insurance Management Limited (NIML). Lo has managed North’s Hong Kong office since 1997 and became general manager Asia-Pacific when the club’s Singapore office opened in 2007.

Class society ABS achieved another record performance in fleet size during 2010, reported Chairman Robert D. Somerville at the annual meeting. An eight percent increase in gross tonnage from year-end 2009 resulted in the ABS-fleet reaching a new record of 173m gross tons (gt) representing 11,191 vessels. Somerville pointed out that ABS is in a strong position with regards to the world orderbook holding more than 20 percent of the newbuild market. With the ABS orderbook standing at 45.7m gt at the close of 2010, the backlog provides confidence that classification activity will remain solid for the foreseeable future. Attractive shipyard pricing led to a surprisingly robust flow of new orders to ABS class during the year, particularly for bulk carriers.