Page 6: of Marine News Magazine (November 2015)

5 7

EDITOR’S NOTE ur Workboat Annual edition of MarineNews always gets me to thinking about many things, but two concepts always seem to wind up ? rst and foremost in my mind. First, we ? nd ourselves in an interesting period for the domestic workboat markets, one that is experienc-

O ing some big waves and, at the same time – some similarly deep troughs – all of which comes with a bit of chop and whitecaps. For any marine stakeholder on the domestic, commercial waterfront, that comes with the voyage plan. You plan for it, adjust course along the way, and sometimes, ? nd yourself riding out the bumpy storm.

Leaving the nautical metaphors and nomenclature aside for just a moment, the second part of the workboat equation brings an incredible variety of missions, vessel types and job descriptions. No [email protected] other sector can say that. And, for all the angst that perhaps the downturn in energy prices and the low water period being experienced by the bulk and coal sectors does bring, there are also bright spots. Boat builders for the workboat sector can take refuge in the fact that as one sector takes a (hopefully) momentary breather; another will heat up to take the slack out of that frayed lifeline.

Believe it or not, that’s exactly what is happening as we go to press.

This month, for example, we traveled to the Paci? c Northwest to take a focused look at the com- mercial ? shing markets, where – as it turns out – a robust recapitalization of seagoing assets is well underway. Hardly immune to the same market pressures facing every other workboat sector, com- mercial ? shing also has a different ? nancial model under which vessels can be replaced and/or refur- bished. West coast-based MarineNews contributor Kathy A. Smith’s take on this sector is therefore a breath of fresh air for anyone who thought shipyard backorder books might be looking a little thin.

Back in the heartland, St. Louis-base attorney James Kearns takes us along the (successful) journey of one port’s innovative quest to ? nance a remarkable stretch of intermodal infrastructure along the mighty Mississippi River. The new South Harbor of America’s Central Port, located just north of downtown St. Louis in southwestern Madison County, Illinois is arguably the new poster child for what can be accomplished in a climate where funding can otherwise be hard to come by. Believe it or not, the U.S. Maritime Administration is a big part of that story. They’re from the government – and they are here to help. Go ? gure. That story begins on page 44.

Almost 18 years after my entry into the world of maritime journalism, I’ve (? nally) learned that

I probably shouldn’t make predictions. That’s because this ‘workboat’ business has a tendency to surprise us all when we least expect it. The state of global energy in the 4th quarter of 2015 is an excellent case in point. Nevertheless, I ? nd myself tempted to dip my toes into the water by saying that 2016 will bring even more surprises. Yes, this time, I’m certain that I am right!

Download our Apps iPhone & Android

Joseph Keefe, Editor, [email protected]

SUBSCRIBE

Subscribe to the print or electronic edition of 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 speci? cation, delivered FREE directly to your e-mail. To subscribe visit http://maritimetoday.com/login.aspx

POST & SEARCH JOBS

Job listings are updated daily and help match employers with quali? 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

November 2015 6 MN

MN Nov15 Layout 1-17.indd 6 10/23/2015 1:59:22 PM