US FMC Names Usman Chief Information Officer
growth in its technology. I welcome him to the Commission and am confident he will make many significant contributions to the effectiveness of the organization,” said FMC Chairman Daniel B. Maffei.Prior to joining the Federal Maritime Commission, Usman worked at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service, where he served as Chief Technology Officer. Prior to that, he worked at the U.S. Government Publishing Office.Usman earned a master’s degree in information technology from Kennesaw State University and a bachelor’s degree in computer science from The Islamia
Rambaud Named CEO of Bolloré Logistics Middle East
Jean-Baptiste Rambaud has been appointed as CEO of Bolloré Logistics Middle East.Based in Dubai, he will work toward the development of the region. He also aims to launch new projects to drive the company’s growth in several key sectors such as aerospace, healthcare, luxury goods and food and reefer.Rambaud joined the Bolloré Group in 2003, where he oversaw different operations and commercial departments across Africa (Kenya, DRC, Zambia, Mozambique, Nigeria). For the last three years, he held the position of sales and marketing director for Bolloré Logistics Middle East
Tentative US West Coast Port Contract Deal Reached
since July 1 and have been seeking a share of pandemic cargo surge profits and retroactive pay.The tentative deal comes as retailers like Walmart and Target are starting to land merchandise for the critical back-to-school, Halloween and Christmas retail shopping seasons. Manufacturers, automakers and food producers who import or export goods also rely on the Pacific Coast ports.West Coast port market share dipped after some customers shifted cargo to rival East Coast and Gulf Coast ports to avoid potential labor disruptions during the negotiations. It also comes as drought conditions affecting the
Time to Meet the US Mariner Shortage Head On
sustain – the entire Ready Reserve Force may be impossible. And yet, we are not seeing enough political action to address this critical shortage. Perhaps the threat remains too theoretical, but the vision of a deployed American armed forces member operating without a clear supply line to receive food, ammunition, and medical equipment should send shivers down the spine of any politician.The question becomes, how can the government support industry in addressing the critical shortage? The answer lies, for better or worse, with MARAD as the agency charged with ensuring that we have a merchant marine
Twin Brothers Appoints Theriot VP
Twin Brothers Marine (TB), which is in heavy steel fabrication for the oil & gas, infrastructure and renewables industries, appointed Wayne P. Theriot as vice president of finance.Theriot will be based in Louisiana and joins TB from TTMK Holdings, a family operated private equity company consisting of 17 separate companies in Louisiana and California, where he served as chief financial officer (CFO). During his 30-year career, he has held CFO and vice president roles in offshore rental and rigging and food distribution companies in the region.
More Needs to Be Done to Improve Gender Equality in the Maritime Sector
and making transport arrangements from the harbor to the airport for old and new crew. Other services include medical evacuation, arranging for technicians to undertake repairs or service on vessels at sea, assisting with onboarding of new crew and navigating language barrier issues, replenishing food and water supplies to ships at sea, and planning and doing recovery and clean-up operations.The maritime industry can learn important lessons from other sectors of the economy as it navigates its way to achieve gender inclusivity. The sector needs to realize that gender inclusivity cannot happen overnight
Seafarer Happiness on the Rise
contribute to overall improved seafarer wellbeing. There has been a focus on social events that boost morale – including weekly gatherings, quizzes, karaoke, sports, barbecues and movie nights, with increased backing and the support of leadership; there was also a jump in seafarer satisfaction with food on board. Changes to the MLC regarding connectivity have been met with cautious optimism by seafarers who are excited at the prospect of improved communication with loved ones, yet wary of the implications of cost and quality of service. The survey shows that efforts are being made to improve seafarers&rsq
Seafarer Shortage Stands in Way of Ukraine Grain Corridor
Finding enough seafarers willing to sail ships stuck inside Ukraine's ports is set to pose a major challenge to the proposed grains corridor designed to ease an international food crisis.Russia and Ukraine last week signed a deal to restart grain and fertilizer exports that have been blocked in the Black Sea and on Wednesday Turkey unveiled a center to coordinate the resumption of shipments.But some 80 ships remain blocked in Ukraine and the evacuation of most of their crew members means more mariners are needed in the region to get the cargoes moving.Henrik Jensen, managing director of Danica
Mike Rodriguez to Complete Tenure as Interim Director of MITAGS
;Working as I have with everyone at MITAGS has been a great experience for me,” Rodriguez said. “The MITAGS West team are innovative. Our conference team is smart and determined. Our operations folks just make it happen every day. Our instructors are knowledgeable and dedicated. The hotel and food service staff are good, hard-working folks who lay the foundation for everything we do here. It has been inspiring for me to be a part of it all."Rodriguez stepped into the role of Interim Director of MITAGS in February of this year, taking on the day-to-day administration of MITAGS’ academic
ASL Hires Chawarski as Biological Oceanographer
of Newfoundland where he is currently completing his doctorate in Fisheries Science.His work over the last several years has focused on a range of topics including mesopelagic and Arctic fisheries. Before joining ASL he’s worked with industry, government and non-profit groups such as the Fish, Food & Allied Workers Union, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), and the Greenland Institute for Natural Resources.His technical expertise in scientific echo sounders and passion for marine ecology has brought him to some of the far reaches of the ocean. From 2018-2020, Chawarski worked
UN Bodies Call for More Action to End Crew Change Crisis
of continuous service on board, as required by the Maritime Labor Convention of 2006.Over 80% of the volume of global trade in goods is carried by sea. And throughout the pandemic, the world’s 1.9 million seafarers have played a vital role in keeping ships moving and ensuring critical goods such as food, medical equipment and vaccines are delivered
Seably, ACREW Launch Superyacht Training Courses
through the Seably marketplace at all times,” said Abi McGrath, Superyacht Industry DirectorSafety Culture material, which is authored by Seably and approved by ISWAN. The material includes the free-to-access Onboard Work Environment, and Covid-19 Guidance and Response courses; as well as Safe Food Handling and Working at Height - which are both available for a single purchase price, or for free with a business subscription. Georgia Allen, ISWAN Project Manager, said “Our work promotes and supports the welfare of seafarers all over the world. We understand the unique high-pressure responsibilit
Bhatia Named Head of Maersk Global Service Centers
of Joint Managing Director, Maersk GSC, with responsibility for Finance before taking over the overall leadership including commercial and operations functions. An industry stalwart, Bhatia brings strong expertise of over 30 years in transforming and managing large companies across IT, banking and food & snacking sectors. Bhatia is an accomplished Chartered Accountant and finance professional who is skilled in CFO responsibilities, business processes, re-engineering, global delivery, shared services, and business transformations including successful implementations of technology platforms and
COVID-19 Vaccine Offered Free for Seafarers
, the Netherlands-based shipping crew transport services operator for Northern Europe.“We’ve seen with the crew change crisis the challenges shipping companies face in hiring seafarers for their vessels, creating a shortage of available mariners which in turn has led to rising prices for goods, food and petrol as demand outstrips supply.“For us, the most important thing is making sure crew members entering Belgian ports have access to free COVID-19 jabs. Protecting seafarers from the virus is paramount – and we have the means to help do that. The more mariners who have the vaccine
Profiles in Training: Dr. Michael Ekow MANUEL, Professor, World Maritime University
, for example with cloud-based simulation,” said Dr. Manuel. The Seafarer CrisisSeafarers, arguably, have shouldered as much if not more burden than any other profession (with the exception of health care workers). Tasked to deliver an estimated 90% of the world’s cargo – including food, healthcare materials and equipment, and energy, to name a few – many seafarers’ lives have been literally upended with the inability to effectively conduct routine crew changes, leaving hundreds of thousands stuck on ships, contracts expired, with no ability to return to families and
Port of Gulfport Names Nass CEO
develop Northern New England’s only container terminal and secured tens of millions of dollars in funding for port and rail infrastructure. He also led efforts on a public-private partnership to construct Maine’s only publicly available climate-controlled storage, supporting the state’s food and beverage industries.“I am thrilled to join the Port of Gulfport as its next CEO and executive director, leading what is an outstanding organization with an experienced board of commissioners, a dedicated team, modern infrastructure, and a diversified revenue base,” Nass said. &ldquo
New Book: Steaming to Djibouti…My First Hitch on an Underway Replenishment Ship
that were in no real order and bedraggled, sat a huge Cro-Magnon-like man. He had the head of a bulldog, with the jowls and frown lines to match, the little hair he possessed was gray and in a comb over, and he had the body of Jabba the Hutt from those Star Wars films. He wore a way too small dingy, food-stained, yellowed under-shirt with rips under his huge armpits. His immense fat rolls billowed out from under his t-shirt. But the worst was yet to see, for when he stood up, as I entered the office, he was not wearing pants; rather, he had on a pair of underwear, briefs at that, the old “tightie-whi
