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SATELLITE COMMUNICATION REPORT Tug And Barge Industry Hits The Computer Age To Save Time And Money Transporting barges filled with petro- leum products does not traditionally conjure images of a high-tech, advanced industry. In fact, the conservative nature of the maritime market as a whole is par- ticularly true for the tug and barge seg- ment. This is changing, however, as econom- ics of the business have not only forced significant amounts of industry consoli- dation, they have also demanded that all companies embrace new and innovative products and systems designed to save time and money. Reinauer Transportation is a family owned and operated business which has operated in the New York and Boston Harbors, as well as along the Chesapeake for 75 years. The company has invested in satellite tracking and communication software, but to date, it had done little to automate its account- ing or scheduling systems. This changed in 1997, as the company worked toward improving its service to major oil companies as well as its small- er clients. The company hired Flash Creative Management to develop a provided by the operations centers back to the vessels. Stratos sells time on the MSAT satellite at a flat rate charge of about $1.19 per minute, enabling Algoma Central to more closely control costs. "As a multi-network operator, Stratos provides a suite of satellite services based on our customer's own unique requirements," Adey explains. "As a result, we're able to provide the right service at the most competitive price. For instance, Algoma needs a regional voice and data solution which is less expensive than our Inmarsat and Iridium global services." Wayne Smith, Vice President and General Manager of SSU, said they measure return on investment in the ves- sel traffic and scheduling system, and WAN in three ways: improved employ- ee productivity; enhanced business activities; and improved customer satis- faction. According to Smith, SSU is ahead on all three counts. "Staff levels have remained constant as growth of 25 per- cent was achieved during the last three years," Smith explains. "To put it all in perspective, SSU now averages gross revenue in excess of $10 million per employee." Marc Hausman is a writer based in Silver Spring, MD. March, 1999 user-friendly, state-of-the-art opera- tions/tracking transportation system dubbed TBSS, which stands for Tug Barge Scheduling System. While fears and resistance among clients and workers was a challenge, the resultant web-based operations/tracking system allows for: better time, coordi- nation and movement management of the fleet; secured customer access to account information; creation of consis- tent terminology throughout an account; improved billing accuracy and better document and information management. Circle 109 on Reader Service Card Circle 273 on Reader Service Card Sasakura developed new generation of Plate Type Fresh Water Generator. AQUARIO Capacity range: 3-40t/day No Front Cover!! The deletion of front cover provides:- * Easier disassembly and reassembly of Plate Heat Exchanger. *No corrosion of Frame, Guide bar, End cover and Bolts & Nuts because they do not contact with seawater. * Minimal installation and maintenance. J Sasakura provides Water Makers of the Submerged Tube Type, Multiple Effect Type, Two Stage & Mufti Stage FlashType, Reverse Osmosis Type and Vacuum Vapor Compression Type for various applications. Type:EX-2 ENGINEERING CO.,LTD. 7-32, Takejima 4-chome, Nishiyodogawa-ku,Osaka 555-0011, Japan Tel:+81 -6-6473-2134 Fax:+81 -6-6473-5540 U.S.A.: J.G.G.Services/Sasakura Tel:+1-610-430-6624 Fax:+1-610-565-9384 HONG KONG : Sasakura International (H.K.) Co.,Ltd. Tel:+852-2850-6139 Fax:+852-2850-5259 Circle 290 on Reader Service Card FN TAPE ANTI-SPLASHING TAPE FOR SHIP'S ENGINE ROOM Compliance with SOLAS Regulation n-2/15.2.11.(Effective July 1998) FN Tape can prevent outbreak of fire caused by a splash of flammable oil various kinds (fuel oil/lubricating oil) in ship's ___ engine room by just taping on pipes and joints. © INo.91 517-97HH1 I No.P-102791 NO.21806603A00 HI MANUFACTURE: TOKYO NISSHIN JABARA CO.,LTD TOKYO JAPAN DISTRIBUTOR: (SB) NISHIYAMA CORPORATION • ^"^TEL:516-466-7570,1-800-938-0700 FAX:516-466-75 i-7572 New York,U.S.A. TEL:0211 -329381 FAX:0211 -329398 Duesseldorf,Germany INo.96/00056 (E1)l Flame Retardant E56086 TO ^Patented by Japan, USA, EU and Taiwan. ClassNK lNo794 FV 905 B [N0.95-YQ35946-XI