Law Firm Billing on Trial
By E. Richard Ogrodowski and Frederick B. This means the plaintiff's lawyer only gets paid if the plaintiff wins, either through a settlement or judgment. The attorney's fee will be a percentage, typically between 33 and 40% of the recovery. With the U.S. and the international economy in a recession though, and with attendant tight corporate budgets, even corporate clients accustomed to paying by the billable hour are exploring alternatives to the traditional hourly fee.
Analyst Cuts Oil Tankers
According to an analyst speaking with the Associated Press for a Feb. 9 report, a flood of new crude oil tankers being delivered this year will bring down vessel…
Maritime Research Project Complete
The European maritime research project on the significance of risk-based design and approval has been concluded after four years of intensive study. The multinational research project Safedor (Design, Operation and Regulation for Safety) was co-ordinated by ship classification society Germanischer Lloyd. 53 project partners from all sectors of the maritime industry were working on an innovative design approach to enhance safety at sea.
Viking Expands Facilities & Services
Viking Life-Saving Equipment announced its Seattle, Washington Service Station is moving to a larger, 6,000 sq ft facility on the Duwamish Waterway. The new location will open March 1st and ensure better access to the Ports of Tacoma and Seattle. Recently appointed, John Sanford will head the company's Seattle branch office and lead the West Coast sales division. Viking managing director of the Americas Al Osle made the announcement.
99% of Towing Operators Are Properly Licensed
The Eighth Coast Guard District recently completed Operation Big Tow, a three-month long effort designed as a result of a collision between a cargo vessel and a…
CG Reports No Pollution, Navy Ship Grounding
U.S. Coast Guard and State of Hawaii pollution investigators determined this morning there is no threat of marine pollution after a U.S. Navy ship was freed from a grounding site off Honolulu International Airport's reef runway. The USS Port Royal ran aground a half mile off the runway Feb. 5 and was pulled free by the Navy. A Coast Guard air crew aboard an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter was airborne for an investigation at sunrise.
Northern Lights Unveils Generator Design
Northern Lights, a manufacturer of marine diesel generator sets, introduced the M944T. Producing 38kW at 60Hz, or 32kW at 50Hz, the M944T is based on a heavy-duty…
Successful Makin Island Sea Trials
On Feb. 10, the Northrop Grumman Corporation-built (NYSE:NOC) amphibious assault ship Makin Island (LHD 8) returned from successful three-day builder's sea trials held in the Gulf of Mexico. The ship is the eighth USS Wasp (LHD 1)-class amphibious assault ship being built by the company at its Gulf Coast facilities in Pascagoula, Miss. "We worked collaboratively with the Navy to meet our program commitments, and complete this significant milestone," said Irwin F.
Panama Canal Locks Proposals Due in March
March 3rd will mark an important date in the Panama Canal Expansion Program. The four prequalified consortia – containing more than 30 companies – will submit their…
Pyrotek Distributes Centek Exhaust Systems
Centek Industries, manufacturer of fiberglass marine wet exhaust mufflers and systems, has appointed the Soundguard Division of Pyrotek to distribute the company’s products in the Pacific Rim.
Dockwise Sells Dock Express 10 and 12
Dockwise Ltd. announced the sale of two type IV vessels to focus the company's fleet on premium cargoes. Both Dock Express 10 and 12 have been sold to an undisclosed…
NOL posts 2008 Net Profit After Restructuring
On Feb. 6, global container shipping and logistics group, Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), reported a net profit for 2008 of $83m, 84% lower than 2007. The Group’s 2008…
SCI Celebrates 175th Anniversary
In 2009, the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) celebrates 175 years of service to the maritime community, assisting the world’s over 1 million mariners with programs and services.
Hamburg Port's Liner Network
Hamburg has one of the most comprehensive liner networks in Europe, which in turn means that it plays an important role as a transport hub for global cargo flows.
Panama Ratifies Maritime Labour Convention
The Ambassador of the Republic of Panama, HE Mr. Juan Alberto Castillero, on Feb. 6 deposited the instrument of ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006…
This Day in Naval History – Feb. 12
1945 - USS Batfish (SS-310) sinks second Japanese submarine within three days 1947 - First launching of guided missile (Loon) from a submarine, USS Cusk (Source: Navy News Service)
