Shanna News

Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) informs that its Chairman, Andres Alcantar, recently visited the San Jacinto College maritime training center to present a $368,173 Skills Development Fund grant for maritime job training. The TWC Skills Development Fund grant will fund training for 195 mariners from Buffalo Marine Services, G&H Towing Co., Higman Barge Lines Inc., and J.A.M. Distributing. Since the start of the San Jacinto College maritime program in 2010, approximately 2,500 U.S. Coast Guard certificates have been awarded to mariners. TWC explains that having a local maritime training center saves companies travel expenses. In the past, mariners were sent out of state for similar training.

Asian shipbuilder Strategic Marine launched the Shanna, the first of two 45-meter ro-pax catamarans to the National Ferries Company of Oman. The vessel is the first of its kind built by Strategic at its Vietnam shipyard, underscoring the operation's multi-markets shipbuilding capability. The sister vessel, the Jawharat, will deliver at the end of November. "The global ferry market is of significant importance to us and we have strong pedigree in building these and similar types of vessels in our other regional yards," said Reece Newbold, Group Business Development Manager.

On June 15, 2003, Lester Rosenblatt passed away at the age of 83. MR/EN remembers this industry icon, who through his ambition and wealth of industry knowledge founded what would become one of the world's most successful naval architecture and marine engineering firms. Lester Rosenblatt, (along with his father, Mandell) founded M. Rosenblatt & Son, Inc. in 1947, where he served as Chairman, CEO and Naval Architect. Through his unending drive, the company grew to be one of the world's largest private engineering firms specializing in naval architecture and marine engineering. Providing management and leadership to his company in the design and development of all types of naval and commercial ships…