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A s we enter the half-year mark, I sit back with amazement at how another beginning of a year is here and gone in the blink of an eye. In gathering information and setting the editorial line-up for this edition, it's quite intriguing how the more things change, the more they stay the same. For example, there is still a migration of commercial ship orders leaving European yards for the Far East, how- ever, today much attention is on China and the tremendous strides it has made in recent years against the traditional shipbuilding powers in Japan and Korea. Domestically, the U.S. Navy continues to downsize - a trend well-entrenched since the late 1980s and the abandonment of the 600-ship navy, with fewer deep-draft oceangoing ships despite an increased reliance on naval power to ful- fill war requirements around the globe. But there are numerous exciting and expansive projects within the U.S. military and government, with the building of the new Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class and the United States Coast Guard's Deepwater Project. Both of these projects are good examples of the migration toward marine technology rather than ship technology. There is an undeniable and unstoppable trend towards "network centric" warfare and defense, whereby ships and boats are an interchangeable cogs in the big picture, a picture which includes many sensors, data processors, aircraft, land based facil- ities and communication technology. For owners of all vessels in nearly every corner of the world, from tugboats to tankers, increased emphasis on maritime security and increasing reliance (and regulation) regarding new technology and maritime safety continues to add lay- ers of additional cost, further eroding already thin bottom lines. But these are technologies that undoubtedly add overall operation safety and efficiency, if properly employed. It is human nature, perhaps, to fear and fight change, perhaps preferring to rely on business models tried and true. It is the industry leaders, however, that embrace change for what it is, and continually search for a way to turn a poten- tial negative into commercial advantage. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be repro- duced or transmitted in any form or by any means mechani- cal, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publishers. Founder: John J. O’Malley 1905 - 1980 Charles P. O’Malley 1928 - 2000 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News is published monthly by Maritime Activity Reports, Inc. Mailed at Periodicals Postage Rates at Waterbury, CT 06701 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster send notification (Form 3579) regarding undeliverable magazines to Maritime Reporter/Engineering News, 118 East 25th Street, New York, NY 10010. Publications Mail Agreement No: 40024966 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to Circulation Dept. of DPGM 4960-2 Walker Road Windsor, ON N9A 6J3 Publishers are not responsible for the safekeeping or return of editorial material. ©2005 Maritime Activity Reports, Inc. 118 East 25th Street, New York, NY 10010 tel: (212) 477-6700; fax: (212) 254-6271 ISSN-0025-3448 USPS-016-750 No. 6 Vol. 67 Subscriptions: One full year (12 issues) $28.00 in U.S.; outside of U.S. $52.00 including postage and handling. For subscription information, call 212-477-6700; fax: (212) 254-6271; or e-mail: mrcirc@marinelink.com MARITIME REPORTER AND ENGINEERINGNEWS Member Business Publications Audit of Circulation, Inc. 57 Book Review: A Speck on the Sea 80 Editorial Index 85 Buyer’s Directory 88 Ad Index 89 Ship’s Store 90 Classifieds On the Cover: The Military Sealift Command (MSC) auxiliary dry cargo carri- er USNS Lewis and Clark, (T-AKE 1), is launched into San Diego Harbor after a christening ceremony held at the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, (NASS- CO) in San Diego, Calif. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Timothy F. Sosa) Editor’s Note www.marinelink.com trauthwein@marinelink.com On the Cover Circle on Reader Service Card Coming in Maritime Reporter & Engineering News July 2005 The SATCOM Edition Satellite Communications increasingly impact the bottom line. Read about the lead- ing companies. Maritime Security: Cameras, Night Vision & CCTV • U.S. Navy Report CAD/CAM 2004 Diesel Engine Buyer’s Guide August 2005 The Inland & Offshore Edition U.S. Maritime Reporter Maritime Communications Deck Machinery & Cargo Handling Equipment Repair & Conversion Facilities Finland www.marinelink.com 6 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News MR JUNE 2005 #1 (1-8).qxd 6/7/2005 8:58 AM Page 8
