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Those companies that belabor the arduous conditions prevalent in business today will literally be left on the docks when the pace picks up dur- ing the coming year. All signs seem to point towards the start of economic recov- ery in the U.S., though the ripple effects will take some time to filter through to maritime and offshore businesses. Despite a generally dour hangover from the past 12 months, business oppor- tunities are available to those who seek them. Politics and irrational bean counters aside, the U.S. Navy will present ample opportunities for companies selling into this market in the decades to come. The cacophony of individual interests making cases for increased dollars at budget time does a great dis- service to the causes that are truly needy. While the U.S. Navy and its supporters, particularly the American Shipbuilding Associ- ation, have added decibels to this homogenous voice, it is an inescapable fact that — to maintain its status as a world power for the coming decades — the U.S. must initiate an aggressive ship and boatbuilding program now to avoid future shortcomings. While the need for more money is clear and justified, the size and look of the Navy of tomorrow is a bit fuzzy. The tremendous military build-up during the Cold War centered on aircraft carrier battle groups, and the presence and reality of massive doses of lethal force. While carrier groups are indeed a cornerstone of the Navy of tomorrow, work currently underway under the steady guidance of Rear Admiral Robert G. Sprigg at the Navy Warfare Development Command seeks to assist in providing clarity, and is focused on smaller, faster vessels, and the role that they can play in facing future defense challenges. The Navy section begins on page 24. Opportunities of the non-lethal variety are presenting them- selves in the Offshore realm, as the ability to discover and recover energy products in increasingly deeper waters evolves rapidly. Three stories in this edition: Offshore Service Vessels on page 40; a Deepwater Offshore Market Projection from Quest Offshore on page 50; and a detailed analysis of LNG Ship Demand on page 74 help to adequately illustrate this point. MARITIME REPORTER AND ENGINEERING NEWS NEW YORK 118 E. 25th St., New York, NY 10010 Tel: (212) 477-6700; Fax: (212) 254-6271 e-mail: mren@marinelink.com • Internet: www.marinelink.com FLORIDA 215 NW 3rd St., Boynton Beach, FL 33435 EDITORIAL Managing Editor Regina P. Ciardiello • ciardiello@marinelink.com Assistant Editor Jennifer Rabulan • rabulan@marinelink.com Technical Editor David Tinsley Editorial Consultant James R. McCaul, president, International Maritime Associates MARKETING Marketing Manager Richard Grable • grable@marinelink.com Tel: (561) 732-1659; Fax: (561) 732-6984 ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Gregory R. Trauthwein • trauthwein@marinelink.com PRODUCTION Production Manager Michael Lowe • lowe@marinelink.com Asst. Production Manager Oksana Martemy • martemy@marinelink.com CIRCULATION Circulation Manager Dale L. Barnett • barrett@marinelink.com ADVERTISING SALES Vice President of Sales Lucia M. Annunziata • annunziata@marinelink.com National Sales Manager Rob Howard • howard@marinelink.com Tel: 941-949-5351; Fax: 941-949-5358 Chief Financial Officer Al Adinolfi North American Sales Manager Brett W. Keil • bkeil@marinelink.com Tel: (561) 732-1185; Fax: (561) 732-6984 Director, New Business Development Jean Vertucci • vertucci@marinelink.com Electronic Product Sales • @marinelink.com Tel: (561) 732-4368; Fax: (208) 575-3217 Assistant to the Vice President of Sales Tina Angelino • angelino@marinelink.com Accounting Manager Angelica Rivera • arivera@marinelink.com Classified Sales Tel: (212) 477-6700 PUBLISHER John E. 0'Malley John C. 0'Malley • jomalley@marinelink.com www.marinelink.com trauthwein @ marinelink.com to Data©!} S fetomfe tetate Electronic Products & Services www.maritimetoday.com Customized e-mail news service deliv- - ered twice a day, including the latest contracts, casualties, people & compa- ny reports. www.maritimejobs.com The marine industry's recruiting & employment resource. www.marinelink.com The Internet's largest marine website, recording more than 270,000 "hits" per month. Daily news, data & statis- tics, industry directories. MarineNews Published 18 times per year, MarineNews is the leading provider of information and analysis for the North Ameri- can inland/offshore shallow draft market. Looking for service reliability, we deliver it. ABB Turbochargers AM New York/NJ, Miami, Houston, Seattle/Tacoma, Los Angeles - email: turbochargers@us.abb.com 6 Circle 201 on Reader Service Card or visit www.maritimereporterinfo.com Maritime Reporter/Engineering News