Transportation.com Names Skinner Chairman
Transportation.com, a start-up online transportation site for shippers, carriers and private fleet operators, has named former U.S. transportation secretary Samuel Skinner as chairman of the board. Transportation.com anticipates a second quarter launch and is currently testing the site. It is being funded by trucking company Yellow Corp. and two venture capital firms, TL Ventures and EnerTech Capital Partners. The site is targeted at small to medium-sized shippers in particular, he said. Services to be provided via the Web site include customs brokering, insurance, price and delivery data, analysis of systems and others.
Dot Com, Maritime Style
Much as has transpired in mainstream consumer markets, the dot com craze has recently enveloped the maritime world with promises of cost savings and operational efficiencies. While an attrition and natural process of consolidation can eventually be expected, the world of e-commerce solutions for the maritime market is definitely in its infancy. While it is impossible to judge the full working models in this report, the following text contains synopsis reports on some of the more noteworthy market entrants. Recently launched by Boston-based WebPark Corp., Boat-Park.com is an on-line virtual trade show, which seeks to bring together worldwide participants into its virtual trade show, which is open 24/7.
New Chair Selected for MTS National Advisory Council
John Gaughan, Vice President of the American Maritime Congress, has been selected as the new chairman of the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council (MTSNAC). Gaughan served in the White House as Deputy Assistant to the President and Director, White House Military Office, for Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush. He also served at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) as Maritime Administrator from 1985-1989 and as DOT Chief of Staff from 1989-1991. The MTSNAC is a chartered, non-federal body that advises the Secretary of Transportation on Marine Transportation System issues. The Council's membership is comprised of leaders from 30 commercial transportation firms…
