Page 6: of Marine News Magazine (November 2013)

SUBSCRIBESubscribe to the print or electronic edition of MarineNews at www.marinelink.com/renewsubscr/Renew04/subscribe.html or e-mail Kathleen Hickey at [email protected] DAILY NEWS via E-MAIL Twice every business day we provide breaking news, tailored to your speciÞ cation, delivered FREE directly to your e-mail. To subscribe visit http://maritimetoday.com/login.aspx POST & SEARCH JOBSJob listings are updated daily and help match employers with qualiÞ ed employees. Post a position or keep abreast of new employment opportunities at http://www.maritimejobs.com ADVERTISE MN offers a number of print and electronic advertising packages. To see our editorial calendar and advertising rates, visit www.marinelink.com/AdvRates/Rates.asp Online Resources EDITOR?S NOTEOptimizing both a ß eet of workboats and the business model that makes all of that pos- sible is probably the highest priority item on your plate, every day. And, as you will soon discover within the pages of this edition of MarineNews , ß eet optimization can mean 10 different things to 10 different operators. The way forward for those that will survive this robust but equally difÞ cult business climate necessarily involves regulatory compliance, a weather eye on new rulemaking efforts that loom large in the center porthole, successfully navi- gating the need for the Holy Grail of fuel economy and reduced stack emissions and a dozen more goals. I donÕt have to list them all; you already know what you are up against. As complicated as it may seem, my take on ß eet optimization nevertheless says that it can be boiled down to the lowest common denominator of remote monitoring. ThatÕs right: remote monitoring. TodayÕs marine equipment, technology and sophisticated communications capabili- ties allow operators to see virtually every aspect of their far ß ung ß eets, in real time and down to the smallest of detail. What do you wish that you could see, right now? Chances are; you can do that. That high-tech window on your business world wonÕt be inexpensive but the future dividends promise a handsome return on that investment. The story starts on page 38. Optimizing a ß eet in 2013 and beyond will also involve compliance with a complicated regula- tory scheme that is still evolving. The United States Coast Guard, for example, alone has almost 70 new rulemaking proposals in play at this time, never mind anything individual states, the IMO and EPA can cook up on their own. I donÕt have a crystal ball to see what all of that is going to entail, when it will happen, and why. And, neither do you. Nevertheless, business decisions will have to be made today based on assumptions that may or may not represent the actual regulatory scheme(s) that come to pass. Hence, a large portion of this edition is also devoted to providing guidance and some clarity for marine operators who Þ nd themselves scratching their heads as to what to do next. The sobering truth for maritime stakeholders, especially those domestic operators right here at home, is that some aspects of business conditions will always be beyond their immediate control. You can ÒoptimizeÓ to prepare for all eventualities, but for things like port infrastruc- ture, locks and dams and even the bare bones luxury of minimum under keel clearance in our waterways, we need to hope that the government does their part, as well. Also within these pages, you will Þ nd out why this isnÕt always the case. As you go about your daily business, industry advocates, trade associations and stakeholders continue to beat the drum on your behalf. So, too, will MarineNews . ThatÕs because Ð unlike the trip that takes a vessel from point A to point B with your customerÕs cargo Ð there is simply no end to this particular voyage. [email protected] Keefe, Editor, [email protected] Download our AppsiPhone & Android6 MNNovember 2013MN November2013 Layout 1-17.indd 6MN November2013 Layout 1-17.indd 610/28/2013 3:11:38 PM10/28/2013 3:11:38 PM