Page 6: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (April 1997)

EDITOR'S NOTE VIZ!

Vi s the offshore boom marches forward, it continues to create lucrative businek opportunities for hundreds of marine equipment suppliers ind boathuilders. However, with all of the revelry comes an air of\ % caution. Memories ofprofitable times gone awry are fresh in the mind of any business planner who has 'been in the maritime industry for an appreciable length of time. The notoriously cyclical maritime industry demands that companies capitalizing on lucrative markets today simultaneously conduct hard target searches for tomorrow's growth opportunities. One niche that will seemingly provide endless opportunities is the cruise ship market. Senior Editor Bridget Murphy was on-hand at the \ recent Cruise Shipping exhibition and conference in Miami to scope out the market movers' finan- cial predictions for 1997. Her report is filed orfpage 10.

Coverage of the still-burgeoning offshore industry starts on page 33. This month's offshore edito- rial focuses on drilling technology, which continues to -fee a major impetus for expansion. The

Hibernia project is the latest high-profile drilling wonder unmake the news, and an update on the project (which is also pictured on the cover) is offered in this section. The critical topsides mating process was completed in late February, and the unit is scheduledfor tow-out in May or fune. Next/ month's offshore oil exploration story will focus on activities in the North Sea.

Visiting the ASNE exhibition last month helped drive home the effects of the corporate consoli- dation binge, with Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and other defense technology giants issu- ing a dominating presence. One by one, major suppliers are being consumed by even larger com- panies, and it is rapidly changing the way in which products are developed, delivered and serviced in the maritime industry, including in the marine electronics and satellite communications sector, coverage of which starts on page 66. / /

Gregory R. Trauthwein, editorial director .; \ / Please contact me with any comments regarding the publication and!or news leads at:\ / tel: (212) 477-6700; fax: (212) 254-6271; or e-mail: [email protected]. /

COMING NEXT MONTH IN Maritime Reporter... > SCANDINAVIAN MARITIME REVIEW: In conjunction with the Nor-Shipping

Exhibition & Conference, a look at innovative Scandinavian marine builders and suppliers. / • OFFSHORE NORTH SEA: Focus on companies and technologies which have led rece'nt oil business upswing.

PROPULSION REPAIR, SERVICES & OVERHAUL GUIDE: Read about how top owners and suppliers protect one of their most , valuable assets, a vessel's propulsion equipment • MARINE FUELS, LUBES & ADDITIVES REVIEW

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