Interview: Jennifer Carpenter, AWO
Jennifer Carpenter has been president and CEO of The American Waterways Operators (AWO) in January 2020, but her time with the national trade association representing the inland and coastal tugboat, towboat and barge industry dates back to 1990. This month, she weighs in on top challenges and opportunities currently present in the industry, from difficult regulatory changes to the uptake of cleaner vessel technologies.What are some of the biggest and most important issues facing the tug, towboat and barge industry?Big picture, I feel like our industry has never been more relevant.
Ship Insurers Seek More Assurances on Ukraine Grain Corridor
Insurers will only be willing to cover ships sailing through a proposed corridor to get Ukrainian grain out if there are arrangements for international navy escorts and a clear strategy to deal with sea mines, underwriters and brokers say.Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations are expected to sign a deal later this week aimed at resuming the shipping of grain from Ukraine across the Black Sea.Ukraine's ports have been closed since Russia's invasion in February, which Moscow calls a "special military operation"…
Tech File: Propelling into a Cleaner, Leaner Future
An upgrade by Kongsberg Maritime of the waterjets on a catamaran ferry operated by the family-run firm of AG EMS brings a new level of efficiency and environmental consideration to a route traversed by the company for 143 years.Claus Hirsch, the fleet manager with AG EMS, is a likable and personable individual. His easy demeanor suggests that he is contented with his lot in life, and no one would blame him for that. The company he works for is a family-run concern with a benevolent…
Terragon Awarded for Innovation
Terragon Environmental Technologies Inc. was the recipient of the Technical Innovation award at the 2014 Lloyd’s List North American Awards dinner held February 19 in Houston, Texas. The award celebrates the shipping industry’s ability to create and recognizes groundbreaking technology, design and service. Terragon earned the award for its novel technology, the Micro Auto Gasification (or simply, MAGS), an appliance designed to use shipboard solid waste and sludge oils as fuel to create useful energy that can be integrated back onboard the vessel.
Cummings, Landry Lead Effort to Save American Maritime Jobs
SEAS Act to Repeal Section 100124 of Highway Bill. U.S. Representatives Elijah E. Cummings (D, MD-07) and Jeff Landry (R, LA-03) today introduced the Saving Essential American Sailors (SEAS) Act, H.R. 6170, which would ensure American food aid is transported by American workers. The bill repeals Section 100124 of the highway bill, MAP-21. Additional original co-sponsors include Congress members Nick Rahall (D, WV-03), Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), Bennie Thompson (D, MS-02), Colleen Hanabusa (D…
Drydocks World Adjourns Decree 57 Directions Hearing
Following on from Drydocks World Dubai LLC and Drydocks World LLC (together the “Drydocks World - Dubai”) filing for Decree 57 on 1 April 2012, Drydocks World has confirmed that its restructuring remains on track and has the support of its lenders to its restructuring proposals by Q3 2012. Although Drydocks World Dubai today notified its Creditors and members that it has requested an adjournment of the Decree 57 Directions Hearing scheduled to take place in the DIFC on the 7th May 2012 the adjournment will only lead to a short delay in the process.
Mission Possible: Reinventing the Keel
When vessel owners and operators opt to bite the bullet and invest millions of dollars into a new workboat, it is reasonable to assume that they will start shopping with the expectation of procuring the most boat that their Limited money can buy. Capital investments of this magnitude are often justified solely upon the premise that a new custom-designed vessel will have more functionality and thus greater revenue generating capability. Why buy a workboat unless it can pay for itself?
