West Gulf Maritime Association News

Niels Aalund was elected President of the International Propeller Club at their 93rd International Convention and Conference. The prominent maritime industry stakeholder will serve a two-year term, commencing from October 17th. Aalund, a well-known maritime subject matter expert and executive, also serves as an Officer and as Senior Vice President of the West Gulf Maritime Association (WGMA). WGMA communicates and coordinates with various governmental entities throughout the West Gulf…

Niels Aalund was elected at the 93rd International Convention and Conference in New Orleans on October 17th.New Orleans, LA: Prominent maritime industry stakeholder Niels Aalund has been elected President of the International Propeller Club. Mr. Aalund will serve a two-year term, commencing from October 17th. Aalund, a well-known maritime subject matter expert and executive, currently serves as an Officer and as Senior Vice-President of the West Gulf Maritime Association (WGMA).

At its 91st annual convention last month, the International Propeller Club of the United States elected and installed its leaders for the coming year and beyond. Representatives of the Club’s more than 75 chapters from around the world elected Rear Admiral Joel Whitehead, US Coast Guard (retired) to a two-year term as International President. RADM Whitehead is a member of the Club’s Port of New Orleans chapter. Niels Aalund, a member of the Club’s Port of Houston and the Senior Vice President, Maritime Affairs, of the West Gulf Maritime Association, was elected First Vice President and Philippe de Gauw (Algeciras, Spain) was reelected as Second Vice President. Both will serve terms expiring in 2019.

On September 24, 2016 the Houston International Seafarers Centers will host their Annual Maritime Gala . Niels Aalund, Senior Vice President, West Gulf Maritime Association, will be honored as the " Bronze Anchor Award” recipient. Niels Aalund, serves as an Officer and as Senior Vice-President, West Gulf Maritime Association, with primary responsibility for advocating on behalf of member companies (steamship agents, vessel owners, and industry stakeholders) with local, state and federal agencies. From organizations such as Washington, D.C, based, National Maritime Association, to the commercial sector, Aalund has provided leadership for a variety of maritime related positions. He has extensive strategic planning experience in both operations and commercial maritime activities.

The West Gulf Maritime Association (WGMA) is urging its members with ships arriving at any port in the western US Gulf to participate in the Menhaden survey. The annual Menhaden spawn (typically April through October) has created challenges for ships transiting local waterways, namely a potentially dangerous loss of propulsion caused by engine overheating resulting from sea chest strainers being clogged by hundreds of these small fish. Numerous warnings have previously been broadcast by the Coast Guard's Captain of the Port and the Presiding Officer of the Houston Pilots about this natural phenomenon and these incidents, however they continue to occur…

WGMA says Lyngso’s retirement effective October 1, 2014. Born and raised in Denmark and finishing his shipping education including maritime law studies in 1972, Niels Lyngso has been a longtime stalwart for WGMA. Arriving in the United States in 1972 as a management trainee for Olsen & Ugelstad, he has since filled many roles along the collective, domestic waterfront. Lyngso’s maritime career has spanned many decades and still many more roles, including the management of bulk vessels and a long history in liner agency work.

The West Gulf Maritime Association (WGMA) has issued a reminder regarding lightering paroles for crewmembers joining vessels in the USA. There have been instances where crewmembers joining a lightering vessel have been denied parole when applying at the airport of arrival and admitted on their C1 transit visa. Efforts by agents to obtain corrections have been difficult in many cases and WGMA recommend the following steps be taken. During the inspection, if the crewmember believes that a misunderstanding has occurred they should request to speak with a CBP Chief, Supervisor, or a Passenger Service Manager. If the agent believes that an error has occurred…

After 20 days offshore, Colton Hendrick and Blake Snapp are back on land, preparing for their next journey out on the water as new maritime interns with Higman Marine Services. And they love it. "It can be tough work at times, but the beauty is seeing the sun rise and set each day," said Snapp. Plus, the money and job security are incentives as well. Both Snapp and Hendrick stand to earn approximately $100,000 by the fifth year of their first maritime job. Also, with many fellow mariners talking about upcoming retirement, the idea of becoming captains isn't far-fetched either, especially when they will hold associate degrees in maritime technology.

Acting Maritime Administrator, Paul “Chip” Jaenichen will open the “Winds of Change in Shipping” conference being hosted by NAMEPA (North American Marine Environment Protection Association) in Houston along with the WGMA (West Gulf Maritime Association) on February 19, 2014. The next day, February 20th, NAMEPA is partnering with NOIA (National Ocean Industries Association) to present the “Winds of Change in Offshore Oil and Gas”. Adding even more luster to this period is the inaugural Lloyd’s List North American Awards Dinner on February 19th, where winners of 17 categories will be presented.

The third annual Maritime Youth Expo will be held at the Port of Houston's Bayport Cruise Terminal, Saturday 6, April 2013. Hundreds of area high school maritime students and Sea Scouts will have the opportunity to hear mariners talk about opportunities on tow boats, harbor tugs and barges, learn about maritime salvage and see salvor equipment in action, and watch state-of-the-art Coast Guard helicopters and small boats perform on-water demonstrations. The Port Authority's M/V Sam Houston, fireboats and the Emergency Command Center will be on display. Representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard, Texas Parks & Wildlife, Texas General Land Office…

Jerry Nagel, Chairman of Rickmers-Linie (America), was presented with the 8th annual Lifetime Leadership and Achievement Award at a ceremony celebrating the opening of the 22nd annual Breakbulk Transportation Conference and Exhibition at the New Orleans Convention Center on 26 October. This is an event attended by more than 3,600 breakbulk and heavy-lift industry executives. Nagel, 62, has spent much of the past decade working as president and CEO at Rickmers-Linie (America) in Houston, where he oversaw the expansion of the German carrier's business in the Americas.

Jerry Nagel, chairman of the board at Rickmers-Linie (America) was the recipient of the 8th annual Lifetime Leadership and Achievement Award at the Wed., Oct. 26 kickoff of the 22nd annual Breakbulk Transportation Conference and Exhibition at the New Orleans Convention Center, attended by more than 3,600 breakbulk and heavy-lift industry executives. Nagel, 62, has spent much of the past decade working as president and CEO at Rickmers-Linie (America) in Houston, where he oversaw the expansion of the carrier's business in the Americas.

The Houston Maritime Museum (HMM) has elected new officers to its Board of Directors. Niels A. Aalund, Senior Vice President of Maritime Affairs for the West Gulf Maritime Association, (WGMA) will serve as Chairman to advocate on behalf of the WGMA members with local, state and federal agencies. Steve Stewart, President and Co-Founder of Gulf Winds International, Inc., will serve as Vice Chairman for the board, specializing in international logistics within the shipping industry. He is actively involved in numerous associations in and around Houston. Michelle C. Hundley, J.D., Manager of Community Relations at Port of Houston Authority, will serve as Secretary for the board. Hundley is responsible for advancing PHA’s corporate social responsibility initiatives.