Page 20: of Maritime Logistics Professional Magazine (Q3 2013)

CAPT. ERIC CLARKE, IMTECH MARINE USA INC. A Chat with Capt. Eric ClarkeIBy Gregory R. Trauthwein, Editorial Director Interview Last month Captain Eric Clarke took the helm as managing director of Imtech Marine USA, Inc. (Houston). Maritime Professional was af- forded the opportunity for an exclusive interview with Captain Clarke to garner his insights on the state of the industry at large, as well as Imtech?s potential in the near term.Captain Clarke, how did you come to a career in the maritime industry?I fell in love with the maritime industry as a kid, as I fondly remember my dad taking me to see what were then largest supertankers in the world ? at 500,000 DWT ? during their dry docks in my home town of Marseilles. After sailing competi- tively during my youth, I decided to become a professional of the sea, pursuing both unlimited Captain and Chief Engi-neer licenses, and then sailing in these senior capacities. After about 10 years at sea, I made the jump ashore to help start Euronav, now part of the Tankers International pool. Prior to joining Imtech, I held the position of Vice President Americas at RightShip (a specialized company offering the commercial shipping industry a Ship Vetting Information System), build- ing the company to be a leader in its  eld, performing more than 34,000 vets and more than 3,000 ship inspections. Imtech has been a global driver of consolidation in recent years. For MarPro readers not intimately familiar with the company and its offering, can you describe it in one or two sentences? Imtech Marine wants to be the best maritime service pro- vider for its customers. We operate as a full-service provider and system integrator of tailor-made, innovative and sustain- able technology solutions covering the whole ship. And most importantly, with our global service network we cover almost 100 locations along the major shipping routes. In 2012 we integrated the Radio Holland organization in the USA, its ex- pertise in navigation and communication systems strengthen- ing the global Imtech marine organization. Simply put, we are a strong international service provider and system integrator, with a varied range of innovative technology solutions, from engine room automation to propulsion and HVAC. What, speciÞ cally, attracted you to the position of Managing Direc- tor, Imtech Marine USA? Maritime is at the cornerstone of world trade, and Imtech, with its global network of strategically placed locations, is at the core of our industry. I found the opportunity to head the USA branch to be incredibly exciting, as helping our clients to operate their ships with minimum interruptions, maximum safety and utmost ef ciency is exactly the type of mission for which I have a passion. Additionally, I must admit that in my private life I am a bit of a geek, and some of the technology that Imtech Marine of-fers sits exactly at the intersection of my passion for the indus- try and my natural proclivity towards technical shipboard so- lutions. The idea of combining the two was just hard to resist. Coming into the position, what are your immediate near term (next 12 months) and longer term (next 5 years) goals, and how do you plan to achieve them? My short terms goals are to continue to sharpen the com-pany and shape it into a very customer-centric organization. I want to continue to strengthen and grow our service network. I want the talented Imtech crew to be part of our clients? crew; I want them to be our clients? shore side support team, helping them to keep their ships running safely and ef ciently. I don?t see us as repairing radars, as much as I see ourselves helping our clients keeping their ships running safely and ef-  ciently, without port delays or worse, detentions. I am there- fore refocusing the company?s energies toward this immediate goal and client need.Longer term, I want to ensure that we strengthen and grow the four cornerstones of Imtech Marine USA: Services are core to what we do and will continue to do. Wherever their ships go in the USA a quali ed local service team is never far away, and always ready to assist.  Service Projects: From delivering services, we naturally get asked to design, install and service NavComm equipment. By strengthening and growing our regional networks? ability to respond, we will continue to earn ship owners? trust with all their NavComm projects.  New builds and re ts: We have the strength of a large company to support large projects, yet the regional knowledge and skills to deliver locally.  OTC: Providing a one-stop-shop for all ?over-the-counter? equipment and parts, delivering what is needed, where it is needed, in a simple and cost-ef cient manner. 20 | Maritime Professional | 3Q 2013MP #3 18-33.indd 20MP #3 18-33.indd 209/10/2013 2:19:44 PM9/10/2013 2:19:44 PM