Trauthwein, Greg
Editor-
15 Oct 2014
Bouchard Simulation Center Opens at SUNY Maritime
SEPTEMBER 15, 2014, New York, NY – Today in New York Morton S. Bouchard, III and many local maritime dignitaries officially opened The Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. Tug & Barge Simulation Center on the campus of the State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College. Captain Robert Glas, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at Bouchard Transportation made the traditional ribbon cut with the comically sized pair of scissors, as Morton S.
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29 Sep 2014
The New Pipeline
Competition in the maritime communications sector is fierce, and ship owners are the winners as service from land-to-sea is becoming faster and cheaper. MR spoke with KVH’s Jim Dodez in Athens at Posidonia for his insights on the present and future of connectivity at sea. More than ever ships at sea demand “land-like” connectivity to the internet. Whether the purpose is maritime business or a content crew…
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24 Sep 2014
Russian Class & Arctic Operations
When it comes to Arctic operations, the Russians arguably have more hands-on experience and investment than any other nation. With that in mind, Maritime Reporter spoke recently with Georgiy Bedrik, Head of the RS Business Development Division, for his input on RS and matters of the Arctic, maritime and offshore. Please give a brief description of the market you serve. In maritime, RS renders a full scope of classification services for ships including plan approval…
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22 Sep 2014
McAllister Towing Celebrates 150 in Style
McAllister Towing hosted a dual celebration in New York City on Friday, September 19, a gala in honor of the company’s 150th anniversary and a traditional christening of the Buckley McAllister, the latest high tech tractor tug added to the company’s fleet. Pier 60 at Chelsea piers was packed with a veritable “Who’s Who” in the maritime industry as Captain Brian A. McAllister, Chairman (4th generation)…
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09 Sep 2014
Vigor: Frank(ly) Speaking
Frank Foti of Vigor Industrial has steadily embarked on a consolidation of the Pacific Northwest ship construction and repair industry. Starting in Portland in 1995 with about 50 employees, the ubiquitous owner of Vigor has built his business today to more than 2,000 employees in an ever-widening industrial group. During a recent visit to Seattle, he shared insights on his company and the market. “Vigor is a diversified marine and industrial fabricator and it is a ship repair specialist…
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09 Sep 2014
Five Minutes with N-KOM CEO Abu Bakar Mohd Nor
In the Middle East there has been a level of shipbuilding infrastructure investment unmatched, with companies such as N-KOM in Qatar among the leaders. N-KOM CEO Abu Bakar Mohd Nor shares his insights on growth & opportunity in the Middle East. When you look at the expanse of your operations, what do you count as the primary strength of your company? One of the most important strengths N-KOM has apart from its strong parentage is being strategically located in Qatar…
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09 Sep 2014
Marorka’s Powerplay
As Ole Skatka Jensen settles into the CEO suite at Marorka, Maritime Reporter & Engineering News catches up with the industry veteran to discuss the future direction of this provider of online shipboard energy management systems. What attracted you to the top spot at Marorka? I have always be attracted to new technologies and being part of MDT development over the almost last 20 years gave me a great opportunity to be in the forefront of new technology development.
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09 Sep 2014
ZF Marine Makes a Strong Towboat Thrust
When German industrial manufacturing giant ZF bought Holland Rudder Propeller nearly five years ago, it was a strategic addition to its ZF Marine portfolio that is now reaping big rewards as it is enjoying strong penetration of its azimuth thruster systems in the U.S. towboat market. Maritime Reporter & Engineering News visited with Frank van der Vegt, Sales Manager, Commercial Craft Thruster Systems, at the ZF Marine Krimpen B.V. factory in The Netherlands for an update.
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27 Aug 2014
Editorial: software ... is it ‘evolution’ or ‘revolution’ ...
The August “Shipbuilding Annual” is one of my favorites to research and produce every year, but even more so when this edition coincides with the SMM exhibition in Hamburg, Germany, which is the largest, best shipbuilding fair in the world. Early next month more than 50,000 visitors from around the world will walk through the halls of the Hamburg Messe und Congress, for meetings, conferences and social occasions for sure…
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29 Jul 2014
Private Equity Drives New Ship Buys
Ship Registries are an excellent bellwether of industry health and trends, and when Maritime Reporter & Engineering News sought answers to some topical questions, it went to two of the top organizations in the world, speicifically Theo Xenakoudis, Worldwide Business Operations Officer, International Registries, Inc. & Christian Mollitor, Vice-President, Liberian Registry/LISCR, LLC. Give a brief description of the market you serve.
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28 Jul 2014
Interview: Roberto Cazzulo Talks Class Trends
As Roberto P. Cazzulo, RINA, steps down as the Chairman of the IACS Council, Maritime Reporter caught up with him to discuss the current state and future direction of global class. Given your experience, aside from the creation of IACS, what has been the most important change to the way in which “class” has conducted its business in the past 20 years? In my view, it is the Quality System Certification Scheme (QSCS) adopted by IACS in 1991. Quality is a pillar for IACS.
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22 Jul 2014
Editorial: Gas ... It's Both the Question & the Answer
When the time comes to pull an edition together, sometimes the content simply takes on a life of its own, as is the case with the July 2014 edition and the proliferation of ‘gas’ throughout. While the advent of gas and all that this little word encompasses is hardly breaking news, to put it in context we literally are in the infancy of a historic course correction that will last generations. Following up on last month’s interview with Edward Scott…
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24 Jun 2014
Marine Salvage Saves Time, Money, Lives & the Environment
Though maritime transportation is unequivocally proven as the safest and most environmentally benign means to move goods from ‘point A to point B,’ it is a given that accidents do happen. When they do, having a qualified, competent marine salvage company around can be the difference between minor incident and major tragedy. For insights on the maturation and future of marine salvage sector, MR reached out to the leadership of the American Salvage Association (ASA) for answers.
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20 Jun 2014
Excelerate Energy & the Year of LNG
This being the “Yearbook” edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News, it would be remiss to not have coverage of LNG, one of the hottest fueling trends in maritime circles, particularly in North America. For a unique insight on a rapidly evolving market, MR caught up with Edward Scott, COO, Excelerate Energy, which is making big strides in the LNG Regasification sector, and recently received on the of the world’s largest and most capable units…
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19 Jun 2014
Internet at Sea: Staying Connected
The maritime industry is at a crossroads, with a dearth of next-generation talent willing and available for a life at sea, yet increasing demands for efficiency and clarity of operations. At this crossroads lies modern communication technology, the connective tissue that can help to cure many of the industry’s ills, as Frank Coles, President of Inmarsat Maritime, contends. Commercial shipping will always remain a pivotal link in the global transport chain…
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19 Jun 2014
Maritime Communication: A Bold New Shape and Direction
Richard Simonian is the President of Maritime Solutions, a business unit within Harris CapRock Communications. MR picked his brain for insights on the shape and direction of maritime comms. We understand that you recently unveiled your Advanced VSAT solutions at Satellite 2014. Can you give us a brief on exactly what this is? The problem increasingly being faced by ship and rig operators is that their communication needs are dynamic, yet the traditional buying approach is static.
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17 Jun 2014
2014 . . . And the Story Continues
Having sat in this seat for more two decades I am sometimes asked if I’m tired of the job and ready to move along. (Thankfully, though, that question has never come from my boss.) Unequivocally the answer is “no.” While the maritime industry is often erroneously labeled as conservative and behind the technological times, it is in fact a vibrant and multi-faceted transport niche, a literal cast of characters with a liberal mix of international…
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19 May 2014
Interview: Rich Hobbie, Water Quality Insurance Syndicate (WQIS)
An interview with Rich Hobbie, the leader of the Water Quality Insurance Syndicate (WQIS), the largest underwriter of pollution liability insurance for marine vessels in the United States. Can you give our readers an overview of your business today. The Premium income and growth factors in the marine insurance industry are very stagnant right now. And competition is quite heavy in all areas. In the U.S. market and in the marine market in general, there are new players.
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16 May 2014
Classification Leaders Weigh in on Marine Propulsion
When talk turns to marine propulsion and the host of surrounding topics – emissions, efficiency, fuel consumption – we turn to class for answers. While there are just two questions, the ensuing answers from leaders at ABS, BV, ClassNK, DNV GL, LR and RINA are voluminous & enlightening. The stricter environmental regulations and rising fuel costs lead to technology development in design, size, propulsion and operations.
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15 May 2014
Experts Weigh Training Factor into Sewol Tragedy
While the investigation is still fresh regarding the sinking and the tragic loss of life of the South Korean ferry Sewol, early reports point to a multitude of potential problems, including a critical breakdown among the crew. As work continues to secure the ship and recover the remaining dead onboard, Maritime Reporter & Engineering News reached out to maritime training and education experts for insights on that sector’s role in helping to reduce the risk of disaster at sea.