Peter Shaerf News

Climate change advocates and seafarers recently gathered for a small conference at the Hudson Valley Maritime Museum in Kingston, N.Y., to discuss the shipping industry’s struggle to achieve sustainability and environmental compliance.The setting, the hamlet of Rondout, N.Y. (within Kingston), holds significance as it was, ironically, a Hudson River port once considered the largest coal port in the world (yes, the world). In 1828, the opening of the Delaware and Hudson Canal enabled coal to be delivered from Pennsylvania to New York City.

Clay Maitland to join Peter Shaerf as organization’s chief drivers. New York Maritime Inc. (NYMAR) Chairman, Peter Shaerf of AMA Capital Partners, has announced  that Clay Maitland will join him in heading this organization whose mission is to promote the New York maritime cluster effective immediately. NYMAR will be celebrating its tenth anniversary next year. Together they will serve as Co-Chairmen of the organization. “There are many strategic opportunities that are arising out of the current economic crises” stated Shaerf.

The Significant Economic Impact of the New York-New Jersey Port and Maritime Industry. More than 279,200 jobs generated by activity in the Port of New York and New Jersey, according to a study released today. The independent economic impact study of port operations, prepared by A. Strauss-Wieder Inc., of Westfield, New Jersey, showed that jobs directly associated with port activity increased by nearly 3.5 percent, despite turbulent economic conditions, since the last time a similar comprehensive economic impact analysis was conducted in 2008. The assessment also shows the significant economic value that the port and maritime industry has and continues to generate through investments in the Region’s maritime infrastructure and through the capital markets.

April 22, 2011—Statue Cruise’s M/V Respect will be the venue for a joint Propeller Club and NYMAR 2011 New York Harbor Cruise. Passengers will embark from Battery Park at 6:00 on May 4th for a close up of the spectacular Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Manhattan views, dinner and drinks. Proceeds from the event will go to relief in Japan after the recent earthquake and tsunami. “After a long, cold winter, the maritime community is ready to come out of hibernation and get back on the water,” stated Propeller Club Chapter President Carleen Lyden-Kluss.

Examining key industry drivers is the focus of the 17th annual Hellenic-American and Norwegian-American Chambers of Commerce annual conference, often called the New York Shipping Conference. Entitled “Challenges & Opportunities for the Shipping Industry: Is There a New Normal?” the conference will present the macro shipping and economic overview, the impact of increasing environmental regulation on the shipping market, the availability of capital and its many forms, the growing influence of China and India on Shipping, and shipowners’ points of view. The event will be held on Tuesday, February 8th at the Waldorf-Astoria (a new venue for this event) starting at 0815 with conference registration and coffee.

On Thursday evening, April 22, 2010, Seafarers & International House will hold its annual awards banquet, “Setting the Course,” at the New York Athletic Club for the purpose of honoring Donald Keefe, President of Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association, Philip J. Schapiro, President & CEO of Liberty Maritime Corporation and Joseph C. Sweeney, Distinguished Professor of Law at Fordham University School of Law. Seafarers & International House is a Lutheran mission serving seafarers and sojourners. Its 84-room guesthouse at 123 East 15th Street in Manhattan, once one of several seafarer hotels, is now utilized to accommodate a greater variety of travelers, including domestic violence victims, refugees, asylum seekers, as well as the reduced number of seafarers requiring accommodations.

WISTA (Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association) will be hosting the WISTA Annual Conference in . With a conference theme of “Raising the Profile- Reducing the Footprint”, the 2008 Conference will host over 200 international and national delegates with sessions covering the most pressing issues faced by the industry today. Featured speakers include a welcome to conference participants by Admiral Vivien Crea, Vice Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, Katharine Newman of ConocoPhillips speaking on Criminal Enforcement of Environmental Laws, United States Coast Guard Judge Advocate General Rear Admiral William Baumgartner addressing recent regulatory and legislative developments…

On Friday, May 30, New York Maritime Inc. president Peter Shaerf (center) opened the NASDAQ stock exchange in New York City, highlighting the growing importance of the marine industry in the equity markets globally. On NASDAQ alone there are 40 maritime companies listed. Shaerf, flanked by about 50 colleagues from the New York metro area, noted the importance of the timing of the occasion, prior to the opening of the Posidonia exhibition in Athens, Greece.

Peter Shaerf, a Managing Director of investment house AMA Capital Partners LLC, was recently elected the new Chairman of the Board of NYMAR (New York Maritime Inc.). He takes over the reins from Bill Honan of Holland and Knight. In his first week in office, Peter has stated his intent to better market New York as “The Capital for Shipping”. Peter joined AMA in 2002. He started in the industry over 30 years ago and worked for many years as a shipbroker for container and dry cargo vessels. Peter is also a Director of General Maritime Corp (NYSE), Seaspan Corporation (NYSE), and TBS International (NASDAQ).

A forum entitled “New York Maritime Matters: Capital Markets: Today and Tomorrow” will be held on September 20th at the Lincoln Center Campus of Fordham University School of Law. Sponsored by New York Maritime (NYMAR) and the Fordham University School of Law, the seminar will be held from 4-6pm, followed by a wine reception. This forum will explore the recent volatility in the capital markets and the impact on shipping, as well as examine capital requirements for port infrastructure. Led by AMA Capital Partners’ Managing Director Peter Shaerf, a panel of shipping experts including Sophocles Zoullas (CEO, Eagle Bulk), John Wobensmith (CFO, Genco Shipping & Trading) and Omar Nokta (Analyst, Dahlman Rose) will discuss the recent volatility in the shipping capital markets.