Page 33: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (June 2015)

the Far East and South Asia. In addition shining star right now despite the low

What are the key drivers in this market today?

to the South Koreans, the Chinese and oil prices. So, the American market

The Final the Japanese, other new players are also It is driven by the energy sector; should only be doing even better than

Word.

likely to enter the highly sophisticated there’s no question about it. We have be- the international market; that’s what my

LNG shipbuilding market—a case in come a pivotal swing factor in the global numbers con? rm. The Saudi Arabian

Shashi N. Kumar’s thoughts on these point is the ongoing discussion between petroleum market. The drilling for shale squeeze play is not going to affect our ‘hot button’ topics.

shipyards in India and Korea to build oil and natural gas has created a variety maritime business although there will

LNG ships, supposedly to carry U.S. of opportunities. I am not talking about be some temporary disruptions. Case in • LNG as Maritime Fuel

LNG exports to India. just the transportation of those products point, a reduction in the number of rigs “Here to stay. LNG will get more and but also about the whole host of support in use. But then, recent ? gures indicate more widely used by ships, particularly

Let’s switch gears and industries that they have generated and that those numbers have bottomed out. on new construction. I’m not antici- look at the U.S. market, the associated project cargo movements. Overall, the U.S. production of oil has pating a big re? t business. With new which has been as vibrant

Then there are the investments in the not decreased despite the OPEC strat- construction at this time, if you’re not as I’ve ever seen in my petrochemical industry that has attract- egy. looking at LNG as an option, you’re 21 years in this posi- ed a signi? cant amount of foreign direct not reading the tea leaves.” tion. When you look at investment because of our low energy

When you look at U.S. the U.S. maritime indus- shipbuilding. Are there costs. Many of these activities are based • The Future of try today, what do you any speci? c drivers you in the south; in fact, my message to those see?

Slow Steaming see that will impact seeking maritime career opportunities

There is a lot of optimism and enthu- “I’m praying like hell for the shipowners the business in the near in the U.S. today is to “head south.” I siasm, something that has been missing believe our role as a key swing player to maintain their speed. Don’t raise your term?

for the last three or four decades. This in the energy market will last well into speed. They need to show discipline.”

I think the focus will remain on the is most visible in shipbuilding with vir- smaller ship sizes we discussed, with the next 20 to 30 years, which makes me tually all the U.S. yards staying busy, conclude that our maritime rejuvenation occasional orders for the bigger ones. • Maritime Piracy building vessels for the brown water and optimism is here for the long haul.

The smaller ship market is very attrac- “Piracy will go down. The Malaysia and the green water, and also some blue market is once again becoming a hot tive, and will remain so for the foresee- water ships. The recent delivery of the bed, but that’s more of the garden able future. That’s where the business is

But won’t the current low

TOTE container ship from NASSCO is snake variety, siphoning fuel and sell- right now, from the Coastal Fleet to the oil prices effectively certainly a phenomenal moment to cher- ing it off. That’s a nuisance factor, and

Offshore Supply Vessels and Drill Rigs. hurt the U.S. maritime it has to be controlled. At the same time ish. Overall, quite refreshing and long

As for construction of blue-water ships, business?

I’m concerned about unplanned disrup- overdue.

I do not believe that is the case. See it will be driven by the ? eet replacement tions to shipping through terrorism.” the world market for oil tankers; it is a strategy of our key Jones Act operators. www.marinelink.com 33

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