Maritime Recruitment Webinar: How Much Does "Connectivity" Matter
As the maritime industry globally seeks to attract and retain crews, onboard amenities including seamless connectivity for gains in importance.Sign up now to listen in on the webinar "Crewed Up or Crew Cut? Rethinking retention and recruitment at sea," with insights from three leading U.S. Shipowners -- Crowley Maritime, American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier (ARC) and Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG) -- discuss their experience with what works, what does not, plus the importance of 'land-like' connectivity -- in the quest to attract and retain the mariners they want and need to power their fleets.
Bergink Tapped to Head Alfa Laval Marine Division
Alfa Laval announced that Martijn Bergink has been appointed President of the Marine Division, effective September 1, 2025. This is in addition to his current roles as President of Business Unit Pumping Systems in the Marine Division and Managing Director of Framo, an Alfa Laval-owned company. Martijn Bergink joined Alfa Laval in 1998 and, since then, he has held multiple senior leadership positions within the company, mostly in the Marine Division. In his new role as president of the Marine Division he will join Group Management.
APC Names Liu Global Tech Services Manager
Advanced Polymer Coatings (APC), the Ohio, USA-based manufacturer of protective tank coatings for chemical and product tankers, appointed Daniel Liu as its new Global Technical Services Manager. Liu is an 18-year veteran with APC, most recently serving as the company’s Technical Services Manager for East Asia and Western Pacific Region.APC is on a strong growth trajectory, aiming to quadruple its manufacturing capacity with a new state-of-the-art automated manufacturing system.
The Caravel Group acquires India's International Maritime Institute
Dr. Harry S. Banga and Mr. Angad Banga of The Caravel Group announced their acquisition of the International Maritime Institute (IMI), a maritime academy. In addition to its commitment to future seafarers, the Group will leverage IMI’s capabilities to strengthen the training available to its 28,000-strong global workforce, ensuring that present officers, crew members and onshore professionals remain at the forefront of industry advancements. This will include advanced simulator training, as well as specialized courses in alternative fuels, emissions reduction, and digital navigation.
ICS Academy Provides E-learning for Shipping Companies
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Academy provides a platform to harness the collective experience of more than 80% of the world's shipping fleet. Developed by seafarers for seafarers, the Academy provides on-the-go access to practical e-learning that helps shipping companies ensure best practices and regulatory compliance on board.The Academy complements ICS Publications, giving crew access to onboard procedures and training that work together cohesively. The platform is designed to be globally applicable to all ship types and regularly updated to meet the industry's evolving needs…
Mintra Acquires Moxie Media
Mintra, a provider of digital learning and workforce management solutions for the maritime and energy industries, acquired Moxie Media, a U.S.-based specialist in training content and media production for safety-critical sectors. This s enhances Mintra’s presence in the North American market and expandes Moxie Media’s access to Mintra’s learning technologies and global reach.As part of Mintra, Moxie Media will continue to operate independently, maintaining its team.
Leveraging Human Factors for Safer Maritime Vessel Ops
A safety management system, while vital, can only take a company so far. The real change has to be cultural throughout an organization.Many maritime companies can operate effectively under the International Safety Management Code, which governs safety and pollution prevention for ships. Frameworks like these enable carriers to act compliant with basic safety standards, but there is a significant human element not quite covered by such standards. In 2012, Allianz looked at around a century of maritime incidents, estimating that 75% to 96% of marine accidents involved some human error.
ICS Launches eLearning Academy
The world of maritime education and training continues to evolove, with the announcement last month that Lloyd's Register had acquired Ocean Technologies Group, and the announcement today that the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) launches its ICS Academy to provide on-the-go access to practical e-learning to help shipping companies ensure best practices and regulatory compliance on board. The courses that will feature on the ICS Academy have been specifically designed to complement ICS Publications…
Kruger Named President of Austal USA
The Austal USA Board of Directors has elected Michelle Kruger as Austal USA President. She has been serving as interim president since August 2023.Kruger joined Austal USA in 2022 as the vice president of global services and support. In that role she led Austal USA’s ship repair and warranty efforts including the development of business strategy and strategic alliances. She also oversaw the stand up of Austal USA’s San Diego repair yard including the delivery of a purpose-built 9000-tonne capacity dry dock.
MRS '24 - Panel 5: Identifying Risk, Measuring Success in the "Gray Zone"
The Maritime Risk Symposium is an annual three-day conference in which government and maritime industry leaders, port representatives, researchers, and solution providers convene to examine current and emerging threats to maritime security. MRS2024 is scheduled to take place June 11-13 2024 at Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, CA.A look @ Panel 5: Facilitator: Eric “Coop” Cooper, CAPT, USCG (retired)This panel will inform participants and generate discussion to improve understanding of the risk of gray zone activities pose to the economy…
Ramping up Warship Production, Shipbuilder to Add 1000 Jobs
Babcock International Group (Babcock) is creating more than 1,000 new jobs at its large-scale, advanced manufacturing and shipbuilding facility in Rosyth.The new job opportunities will include 400 apprenticeships, 350 production support operatives, skilled engineers, tradespeople, and graduates to support programs like the Type 31 frigate design and build."Attracting and retaining talent is essential to the future success of our business and directly benefits the local communities in which we operate," said David Lockwood, Chief Executive, Babcock International Group.
Jozwiak Joins GLO Marine as Green Transition Lead
Maciej Jozwiak joined the GLO Marine team, with his experience expected to enhance the company's technical capacity to deliver high-end services to the retrofit and vessel upgrade market, with a focus on green technologies and decarbonization measures.Jozwiak brings more than six years of engineering project management at DAMEN and more than nine years as senior approval engineer at DNV’s Oslo Headquarters. His knowledge in structural engineering, adept project management, and…
Helsinghof to Take the Helm at Viking in June
Viking Life-Saving Equipment A/S appointed Henrik Helsinghof as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective from June 1, 2024.The appointment follows the death of former CEO Henrik Uhd Christensen in January following a short illness. Helsinghof had previously been identified by Christensen and the VIKING Board of Directors as a possible successor.Helsinghof began his career in VIKING in 2006 as student assistant and remained with the company for 14 years, holding various positions, including Managing Director of VIKING Nadiro.
Manta Marine Technologies Announces New Leadership
Manta Marine Technologies, formerly known as Yara Marine Technologies (YMT), unveiled its new brand and leadership team, following its recent acquisition by Geneva-based Okapi Supply Trading Advisory SA.The Manta Marine Technologies team will now be led by CEO Ina Reksten, who previously served as Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer. Outgoing CEO Dr Thomas Koniordos has been appointed as Chair of the Board, while former Chief Sales Officer, Aleksander Askeland will be the new CFO and Richard Engelhart Bjercke will be the new CCO.“I am confident that Manta Marine Technologies…
Bloem Appointed Group Director Corporate Affairs at Damen
Martin Bloem will start as Group Director Corporate Affairs at Damen Shipyards Group effective January 1, 2024 a new position at the largest shipbuilding concern in the Netherlands.Bloem was involved with the shipbuilding sector when working for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and he was later the general director of the industry association Netherlands Maritime Technology. After that, he took up a position as a partner at the strategic maritime consultancy Marstratand held public-private positions in the Rotterdam region.
Aker Arctic CEO Suojanen to Step Down
Aker Arctic’s CEO Reko-Antti Suojanen announced he will leave his position in the company, while he and the Board of Aker Arctic have agreed that he will continue in his position as CEO until of January 31, 2024.Suojanen has benn CEO of Aker Arctic for 10 years, and the Board has commenced the search process to hire his successor. “We have developed and designed worldclass icebreakers and other ice going vessels and reached a position as the leading company in this segment. The company’s financial situation is excellent…
Maersk to Cut at Least 10,000 Jobs as Shipping Boom Unravels
Shipping group A.P. Moller-Maersk reported a steep drop in third-quarter profit and revenue on Friday and said it would cut at least 10,000 jobs in the face of overcapacity, rising costs, and weaker prices.Maersk, which controls about one-sixth of global container trade, transporting goods for a host of major retailers and consumer goods companies such as Walmart and Nike, flagged a steeper downturn in demand than analysts and investors had expected."Our industry is facing a new normal with subdued demand…
Murdaugh Resigns as Austal USA President
Rusty Murdaugh has resigned as president of Austal USA effective August 30, 2023, the Mobile, Ala. based shipbuilder announced.Murdaugh was named president in September 2021 after serving as acting president since February 2021. During his tenure Austal USA completed the addition of steel shipbuilding capability to its Mobile shipyard, and opened a waterfront ship repair facility in San Diego.Michelle Kruger, Austal USA vice president of global services and support, has been named acting president until a successor is named.
ChatGPT & Maritime Training: Steps to Harness the Power
By now we have all heard about ChatGPT, an example of a “Large Language Model” technology which is remarkable in its ability to generate human-like responses to questions we ask of it. But is ChatGPT primarily a novelty, or can it provide real value in terms of its ability to create content? In my personal experience with ChatGPT, the answer is far closer to the latter than the former - but with some caveats. In this edition of Training Tips for Ships, we'll explore the steps required to harness the power of ChatGPT to generate engaging and effective maritime training materials.
Hiring Event in Norfolk for NOAA Research Ship Jobs
NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations will hold a hiring event in Norfolk, Virginia to recruit professional mariners to work aboard NOAA’s ocean research ships. The event will be held on Nov. 15 at the NOAA Marine Operations Center - Atlantic. NOAA operates a fleet of 15 hydrographic survey, oceanographic research and fisheries survey vessels. NOAA ships operate in the U.S. and around the world. The ships are run by a combination of NOAA commissioned officers and civilian professional mariners.
Savage Takes the CTO Seat at Silverstream
Silverstream Technologies appointed Catriona Savage into the newly created position of Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Savage will lead the continued development of the innovative Silverstream System and will further develop the technical centre-of-excellence built by Silverstream Technologies. The new role will lead on Product Development and Application Engineering and all aspects of product quality, safety and performance.Savage joins Silverstream following a career at BMT as Technical Assurance and Capability Director…
World Maritime University Graduates Class of '23
On 28 October, the maritime leaders of tomorrow - World Maritime University (WMU) class of 2023 - graduated. The WMU 2023 graduating class includes 283 graduates from 71 countries, including a record of 99 women graduates.WMU President, Professor Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr., delivered welcome remarks. As a WMU graduate himself, President Mejia reflected on the power of the WMU experience and how it affects the way one thinks, works, plans, and interacts. “You have acquired information that you did not possess before you enrolled here," he said.
Structural Safeguards in Coast Guard Suspension and Revocation Proceedings
This article examines 10 structural safeguards in Coast Guard Suspension and Revocation (S&R) Proceedings that ensure Coast Guard Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) decisional independence. These safeguards separate potential agency influences from the ALJ decision making process and are critical to mariner due process and fundamental fairness. We will start with an overview of Coast Guard S&R proceedings, followed by brief discussions of the Administrative Procedure Act, Administrative Law Judges, and U.S. Office of Personnel Management oversight.