People Company News

Manatee County Commissioner Mike Rahn has been elected chairman of the Manatee County Port Authority.“It is a privilege to chair SeaPort Manatee’s governing board as we continue to advance key infrastructure enhancements and hurricane recovery efforts while setting the course for even greater realization of the port’s role as a leading contributor to our region’s economy,” said Rahn, whose election was confirmed today [Dec. 19] at a meeting of the Manatee County Port Authority, following selection at the Dec.

Stephen Lyman named President and Captain Steve White transitions to Chairman.The Maritime Information Services of North America (MISNA), a leading association providing information, communications, and services to promote safe, secure, efficient and environmentally sound maritime operations, is proud to announce the appointment of Stephen Lyman, Executive Director of the Maritime Association of the Port of NY & NJ, as its new President. Lyman will succeed Captain Steve White…

VPS appointed Steve Laino to the role of Managing Director -Americas. Most recently, Laino was Global Head of Environmental Solutions with Poten & Partners/BGC. He has a strong background in shipping, having graduated fromthe US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, sailing as an officer in the US Merchant Marine as well as serving as Lieutenant Commander in the US Naval Reserve.

At a special meeting of the board, held on-line, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) have unanimously appointed Thomas A. Kazakos asits next Secretary General. Kazakos will replace Guy Platten who will be stepping down in June 2025.Kazakos has been the Director General of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, the representative National-Member Association of Cyprus at ICS, since 1995. Emanuele Grimaldi, Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping said: “After a thorough search and interview process my board is delighted to confirm the appointment of Thomas Kazakos to this important position for our industry. The coming decade will be pivotal for our industry…

Anemoi Marine Technologies has today announced that Clare Urmston has been appointed as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).After holding a number of executive and non-executive positions within the manufacturing, healthcare and fast-moving consumer goods sectors, Clare Urmston joined Anemoi in March 2020 as its Chief Financial Officer and, in May 2024, became Chief Operating Officer as part of the company’s growth into Asia.She replaces Kim Diederichsen who is stepping…

HII announced that Jennifer Childs has been named vice president of quality and engineering of the company’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division, effective Jan. 6, 2025.She succeeds Brian Blanchette, incoming vice president of HII and president of Ingalls Shipbuilding. Childs, a former Navy surface warfare officer (nuclear), has been with Ingalls for 17 years and previously served as director of technical & design engineering. She will now be responsible for the management and oversight of quality programs…

Crowley has been recognized as a Top Company for Women to Work For in Transportation by Women in Trucking Association’s official magazine, Redefining the Road, for the fourth consecutive year.This recognition underscores Crowley’s sustained commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace that empowers team members by offering competitive compensation and benefits and emphasizing professional development and career advancement opportunities. Through its employee-led business resource groups like Women Empowered…

Danfoss Drives’ Hannes Leichtfried has been elected to serve on the National Electrical Manufacturers Association’s (NEMA) Board of Governors.NEMA announced the election of three new board members and three new officers on November 13, following its 2024 Annual Meeting. Leichtfried, an industry veteran and current vice president of sales and marketing for Danfoss Drives in North America, brings nearly 30 years of experience in electrification to the position. He will serve a three-year term alongside executives from companies such as Cisco Systems…

Effective January 1, 2025, Jordan Pechie has been appointed President of Seaspan Marine Transportation, succeeding Derek Ollmann, who assumes a new role as Chief Executive Officer of Transportation with The Washington Companies, following the planned retirement of Frank Butzelaar, the former Chief Operating Officer. “Both Derek Ollmann and Jordan Pechie have demonstrated exceptional leadership in transforming and re-imagining the business at Seaspan Marine. We have full confidence…

Tributes have been paid to The Maritime Group (International) (TMG) founder Captain John M Cox III following his death at the age of 93.Capt Cox, known to his friends as Jack, died peacefully in Seattle on Thursday November 21 after a short illness.He recently retired as chairman and president of The Maritime Group (International), which included The Maritime Group, Inc. (Seattle), The Maritime Group (Pacific), The Maritime Group (Asia) and The Maritime Group (Europe) - recently…

International freight insurer, TT Club, announces the appointment of Kamel Tlili as Chief Executive of its Singapore branch as Yiah Soon Ng retires after leading Thomas Miller’s Singapore office since 2009.After five years as Chief Executive for TT Club and having led Thomas Miller’s Singapore operations for 15 years, Yiah Soon (YS) Ng has announced his retirement. He is succeeded as Chief Executive by Kamel Tlili, TT Club’s Regional General Manager Asia Pacific, who took over…

Chicago Propeller Club celebrated being named International Propeller Club of the Year at its latest event.Guests from across the Great Lakes and Mid West maritime industry gathered for the reception, a Chicago River cruise aboard club sponsor Wendella Cruises vessel the Iris.Club President Chris Carr, managing partner of SBSB Eastham law firm, said winning the title at the International Convention in Tampa, just a year after restarting the club, following a 15 year hiatus, is…

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) today announced its newly elected Board of Directors and officers who will serve for the 2024-2025 term. These port leaders, representing a diverse range of expertise and regions, are poised to guide AAPA’s efforts to advance the maritime and port industries. The elections occurred October 28 during AAPA’s 113th Annual Convention in Boston, MA, one of the largest gatherings of port professionals in the organization’s history, with over 800 attendees. The newly elected officials include: • Chair of the Board: Chett Chiasson, Executive Director, Greater Lafourche Port Commission (GLPC): Chiasson has 17 years of experience at GLPC…

California State University Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime) deck cadets Jake Jacobsen and Jan Johnson have been awarded Crowley’s Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarships.The scholarship recognizes the cadets' success and their dedication to a career in the maritime industry.Jacobsen, entering his final year at Cal Maritime, is studying marine engineering technology and thrives in working with engines and equipment. While at the academy, Jacobsen served as executive officer of the 3rd Engine Division…

Anne-Marie Mountifield, Chair of Maritime UK Solent, said: "Keith's proven track record and commitment to our regional maritime sector will be invaluable to Maritime UK Solent, particularly at this exciting time as we continue to showcase the world-class innovation and pioneering spirit, working collaboratively to support the region’s exceptional maritime sector”. Keith has recently retired from Wightlink after nine years as CEO. During this time, he was instrumental in establishing…

American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) named Peter Coxon as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Coxon brings more than 40 years of maritime industry experience to ACBL as both an operator and customer. Most recently, he served as CEO of Rand Logistics, leading a successful turnaround, driving improved performance and synergies following Rand’s acquisition of American Steamship Company.Coxon joined the ACBL Board of Directors earlier this year, bringing decades of experience leading multiple businesses and corporate functions in marine logistics and vessel construction…

The U.S. Department of Labor recovered more than $1.4 million for 36 Mexican engineers employed in San Diego by a subsidiary of General Dynamics Corp., one of the world’s largest defense contractors, that paid them in Mexican pesos below the federal minimum wage rate in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.The department’s Wage and Hour Division found National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. one of three shipyards in the Marine Systems group of General Dynamics that designs and builds auxiliary and support ships for the U.S.

SSI, a leader in software, services, and expertise for the business of shipbuilding, announced the establishment of a dedicated subsidiary to service a growing client base in the EMEA region. Based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, SSI EMEA will build on SSI’s 30-year presence in European shipbuilding markets and expand coverage for SSI’s ShipConstructor and ShipbuildingPLM solutions.The new entity will continue to be supported by long-standing partners NDAR, TECNOR, and SPI ShipConstructor with which SSI has worked to service ship designers and vessel constructors in Europe for over 30 years.

Campbell Transportation Company, Inc., named Kyle Buese as President & Chief Executive Officer. He joined Campbell in 2019, and since themn Buese has played a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth. Peter Stephaich, previously serving as CEO, will transition to Executive Chairman, where he will continue to support the company’s long-term vision and values.Under Buese’s leadership as President, the company has tripled in size and diversified its business.

ABS issued general design approval (GDA) to Samsung Heavy Industries Co., LTD. (SHI) for its detailed design of a liquefied hydrogen carrier, a 20,000 cbm vessel with Type C tanks.“Hydrogen is a key enabler of the clean energy economy. In decarbonizing different industry sectors, hydrogen plays critical roles as a fuel, feedstock, energy storage and load balancing. As the demand for hydrogen grows, vessels like the design from SHI will be critical for its transportation and development of the hydrogen value chain…

R.W. Fernstrum & Company, founded by Robert W. Fernstrum 75 years ago, is a quintessential U.S. manufacturing story. The company was born in the aftermath of WWII, founded on an invention developed during the war by Robert Fernstrum to help solve an engine overheating problem that was plaguing U.S. Navy landing craft. Family owned and operated from day one, today the company includes a fourth generation of family that aims to continue the legacy of its founder, a legacy built on effective…

The aim of the recently agreed cooperation between the two German technology companies AVAT and Kompressorenbau Bannewitz GmbH (KBB) is to make turbocharger technology for large combustion engines even more powerful and efficient through digitalization. The new hardware and software will be able to collect and analyze a wide range of operating data and metrics from the turbocharger, providing information about the current operating point and possible damage patterns. By analyzing the data…

Shaver Transportation (Portland, Oregon) reports that Peter Karneus, Vice President of Sales for the ship assist division, is retiring effective January 2025, succeeded by Bo McCall.Karneus is retiring after twenty-seven years during which he has been instrumental in ship assist sales, including building a new sales team, growing customer relationships, and navigating the changes in the tug and barge industry in the Pacific Northwest. He played a vital role in collaborating with the executive leadership on strategic initiatives.