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80Maritime Reporter & Engineering News ROV-capable fleets in the world, in con- junction with its subsea affiliate, C-Inno- vation. Chouest acknowledged that three in the new class of eight PSVs are in the early stages of construction, as well. Our de- sign plans also take into account the po- tential of future modifications for deployment in the Arctic,? he also noted. ECO currently has under construction, attwo of its south Louisiana shipyards, the hull and superstructure for a 361 Arctic ice class anchor handling tug supply ves- sel, slated for delivery in early 2012 to Shell in Alaska. The newly announced group of eight vessels is in addition to a total of 25 other newbuilds ECO and its affiliates already have under construction at shipyards in the U.S., Brazil and Poland. Chouest an- ticipates the new group of vessels, under construction at Chouest affiliate ship- yards North American Shipbuilding (Larose, LA), La Ship (Houma, LA) andTampa Ship (Tampa, FL), will be deliv- ered within the next 12-36 months. ABS NS Grows in Egyptian Market ABS Nautical Systems was selected as the fleet management software provider for Arab Maritime Petroleum Transport Company (AMPTC). AMPTC owns and operates a fleet of LPG Carriers, CrudeOil Tankers and Product Carriers operat- ing in the spot market worldwide that was established by member counties of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Ex- porting countries. Berman Joins Holland and Knight Holland & Knight announced that Brad L. Berman joined the firm as Part- ner in the firm's New York City office. Berman served as Executive Director of the Liberian International Ship & Corpo- rate Registry (LISCR). ALBERT Wins Canal Contract Italian Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering firm Alberto ALBERT was awarded a project to develop for Italian Logistic firm MOVENDO International the transport of gravels for the concrete to be used during the extension of Panama Canal. The service began in Jan- uary and employs two 91.4 x 24.4 x 5.5m Chinese hopper barges conceived for the transport of basalt gravels in bulk on deck from Pacific Side to Atlantic Side of the Gatun lake. The system is composed by a standard tug pushing the barge stern by means of a connection properly designed,RINA classed and builded in Panama. Once loaded on board the gravels by GUPC crushing plant the barge is pushed to Atlantic side berth were the gravels ( 7800t each voyage ) are discharged by means of three conveyors, 700 t/h each, parked on board. MTU Detroit Diesel now named Tognum America MTU Detroit Diesel announceda name change to Tognum Amer- ica Inc., effective June 1, 2011. Tognum America, like MTU De- troit Diesel before, is a subsidiaryof the Germany-based Tognum Group and is responsible for thesales and service of MTU enginesand MTU Onsite Energy distrib- uted energy systems in North and Latin America. MTU Detroit Diesel evolved out of a partnership between MTU Friedrichshafen andDetroit Diesel to create one globalentity focused on the off-highway engine market. Today as Tognum America, the company continues to build on the strong foundation of these two engine manufacturing gi- ants to serve the needs of off-high- way customers throughout North and Latin America. MRG signs with HempelMarine Resources Group (MRG)signed a three-year exclusive agreement with Hempel USA formarine coatings for their fleet oftugs and barges. Under this agree- ment, Hempel will provide the fleet with coatings and technicalservices for dry dockings and ship-board maintenance worldwide. Marine Resources Group tug andbarge companies throughout the United States offer a broad range of marine services. The companies include Foss Maritime Company, based in Seattle, Washington, Oak- land-based AMNAV Maritime Services, and two companies based in Honolulu, Hawaii. NEWSPEOPLE & COMPANY NEWS The latest report by shipping industryrecruiters Faststream reveals that there is a rising global demand for ex-seafarers in shore based positions. In its Maritime Employment Review - Technical Ship- ping published May 20, 2011, Fast- stream revealed an upswing in candidate placements in 2010/11. Globally speak-ing, the average age of a technical ship- ping candidate in the past 12 months was 42 and the average salary $89K. Key findings of the report include: ?UK employers feeling impact of immigration cap?Growing demand for technical people from commodity houses?Classification societies hiring again ?Tech superintendent salaries firm ?Continued growth of Singapore as a ship management center?USA dominated by tanker hires The report also shows that the churn in the ship management sector has led tomore candidate movement in the past 12 months than in 2009 and that more thanever before is being asked of mid and senior level technical employees. There are more jobs out there andthere are good candidates too. We are not however seeing the speculative hires of the boom years, when companies weresnapping up experienced technical staff and then worrying about finding them something to do. Today the challenge for employers seeking to bring in new blood or expand their operations is persuading candidates to move job and possibly re- locate,? said Mark Charman, Fast- streams group managing director. At the best of times it can be a difficult task to ask a good candidate in employment to take the leap and join your company, but against a backdrop of a difficult hous- ing market, pessimism and uncertainty surrounding the general economy and ageneral sense of caution, employers searching for experienced and polished technical shipping people need to com-municate the strength of their companies and be prepared to be flexible.? www.faststream.com Faststream: Rising Demandfor Technical Shipping Candidates