Industry News – Professional Mariner

12 Nov

ABS board appoints John McDonald as chairman, CEO

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry NewsRegulation, shipping

(NEW YORK) — The American Bureau of Shipping's board of directors appointed John McDonald as the new chairman and chief executive officer of ABS at a meeting on Tuesday. In the culmination of a well-planned succession process, McDonald, the serving ABS president and chief operating officer (COO), will take over on Jan. 1, 2026, when present ABS Chairman and CEO…

11 Nov

Maritime Partners pushboat repowered with Mitsubishi engines

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry Newsbrownwater, propulsion, Tugboats and towing

(HARVEY, La.) — Maritime Partners has repowered the pushboat John Austin, replacing Cummins QSK38 engines (1,300 hp at 1,800 rpm) with Mitsubishi S12R-Y3 engines rated at 1,260 hp at 1,600 rpm. After 28,000 hours on the previous platform, the decision to repower was driven by the need for reliability, reduced downtime, and a smarter long-term investment. “At 28,000 hours, it…

04 Nov

New presidents named at Great Lakes Towing, Great Lakes Shipyard

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry Newsshipbuilding, Tugboats and towing

(CLEVELAND) — The Great Lakes Towing Company and Great Lakes Shipyard have announced the promotions of Gregg Thauvette and Thomas Rigolo, two longtime leaders whose commitment and expertise have been key to the companies' continued success. Thauvette has been promoted from executive vice president to president of The Great Lakes Towing Company, where he will continue to oversee all harbor…

29 Oct

Barrere, Hanley, Marino receive Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry Newsshipping

(NEW YORK) — The United Seamen’s Service (USS) presented its 56th Annual Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards (AOTOS) to three maritime leaders whose commitment, leadership and service embody the spirit of the American maritime tradition. Capt.Willie Barrere, national president, American Maritime Officers; Edward Hanley, chief operating officer, Maersk Line Ltd.; and Vincent Marino, chief executive officer, The Marino Group,…

27 Oct

Webb Institute honors Dr. James Chao for maritime leadership

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry NewsLicensing and training, shipping

(GLEN COVE, N.Y.) — Webb Institute has awarded Dr. James S.C. Chao, founder and chairman of Foremost Group, an honorary doctor of science degree in recognition of his visionary leadership in the global maritime industry and his profound commitment to education, philanthropy and sustainability. The ceremony was held on Webb’s Glen Cove campus before the board of trustees, students, and…

21 Oct

St. Johns Ship Building uses MarAd grant to add new crane

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry NewsMarAd, shipbuilding

(PALATKA, Fla.) — St. Johns Ship Building, a subsidiary of Americraft Marine Group, has announced the receipt and commissioning of a new 100-ton Link-Belt rough terrain crane, acquired through funding provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MarAd) Small Shipyard Grant Program. The Link-Belt 100|RT is fabricated and assembled in Lexington, Ky., and represents a significant step in…

03 Oct

Cordero to step down as CEO of Port of Long Beach

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry NewsPorts, shipping

(LONG BEACH, Calif.) — Longtime Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero – who led the port through an era of rapid cargo growth, a global pandemic and major modernization – announced this week he will retire at the end of 2025, capping a varied career that included eight and a half years as port CEO, seven years on the…

29 Sep

Schottel expands with new subsidiary in United Kingdom

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry Newspropulsion, shipbuilding

(SPAY, Germany) — The German propulsion company Schottel is further expanding its international network with the opening of a new subsidiary in the United Kingdom. With this strategic move, the company is strengthening its market presence in the U.K. and Ireland and laying the foundation for closer collaboration with local costumers. Schottel U.K. will primarily focus on newbuild and retrofit…

20 Sep

Laborde adds N.J. dealer, expanding parts support in mid-Atlantic

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry NewsTugboats and towing

(WILLIAMSTOWN, N.J.) — Laborde Products has added Davis Marine of Williamstown, N.J., to its dealer network, expanding parts, service and sales coverage in the mid-Atlantic. Davis Marine will now carry Mitsubishi marine engines and Laborde Power Products, giving commercial operators in New Jersey faster access to local support. “For us, partnering with Laborde is about meeting the demand we already…

19 Sep

Wiernicki, Crowley, Maine Maritime among NAMEPA award winners

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry NewsEnvironment, Licensing and training

(NEW YORK) — The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) has announced the recipients of the 2025 Marine Environment Protection (MEP) Awards, honoring individuals and organizations that are advancing maritime sustainability through leadership, innovation and dedicated service. For nearly two decades, NAMEPA’s MEP Awards have recognized model individuals and organizations dedicated to protecting the marine environment. This year’s winners…