Ellicott was one of only eight organizations across the country receiving this award from OPIC, the U.S. Government’s development finance institution. With the assistance of political risk insurance from OPIC, Ellicott was able to secure contracts in Iraq supplying dredges to de-silt hydroelectric dams as well as to improve flood control on the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers and to improve irrigation canals.

U.S. Congressman Mark Meadows (NC) joined Ms. Littlefield in making the presentation to Ellicott’s President and CEO Peter Bowe.

Congressman Meadows enthused about Ellicott:

“When Ellicott was founded in 1885, Grover Cleveland was president of the U.S. Since building all of the dredges used to construct the Panama Canal, Ellicott has performed projects and created jobs in almost every conceivable way: Small dredges, large dredges. Domestic sales. Exports. Long-term projects. Disaster response. Parts and maintenance. Design innovations. Patents. Factories in the US, factories abroad. Ellicott Dredges has built itself to become one of the oldest and most successful dredging equipment companies in the world. This is a durable and versatile company. It can handle the tough jobs.
Ellicott exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit—the optimism, the vision, and the tenacity of pioneers.”

Ellicott’s Peter Bowe noted that the Company was thrilled to receive this recognition from the U.S. Government, and pleased to be included amongst such a distinguished group of award recipients.

OPIC selected the Impact Award winners through a rigorous process including criteria of work sectors or regions, innovation in overcoming obstacles, risk mitigation practice, quality of results and development impact. In all, OPIC presented awards in six categories: U.S. Small Business, Renewable Resources, Development Impact, Critical Infrastructure, Private Equity and Access to Finance. The event was co-sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

OPIC mobilizes private capital to help solve critical development challenges and in doing so, advances U.S. foreign policy. Established as an agency of the U.S. Government in 1971, OPIC operates on a self-sustaining basis at no net cost to American taxpayers.

The International Port & Terminal Technology Conference and Exhibition is coming to Savannah, Georgia, May 20-21.  The Georgia Ports Authority and MCI Media will present the conference at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center. GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz will give the keynote address. He will talk about Emerging Port Industry Dynamics: the Need to Position Ports for Future Growth in a Changing Context.

“The maritime industry is in a time of transition as new dynamics emerge. These include network consolidation, Panama Canal expansion, and the need for greater landside scale, among many others. To address these and other issues, many ports around the world are on the move – modernizing, investing, and innovating. In the U.S., it is critical that we do the same to remain competitive and efficient.”

The U.S. Southeast has risen significantly in importance because it is the fastest growing region of the country; it has 35% of the U.S. population yet only 25% of U.S. container trade. Mr. Foltz will discuss new dynamics facing the port industry and the steps the Georgia Ports Authority is taking to invest and innovate so that the U.S. Southeast will remain well positioned for future trade in an increasingly competitive global environment.

“Savannah is the perfect location for this year’s event, as its container port serves as the major gateway for trade into the vibrant and growing Southeast U.S. region,” said Peter van Schie of the magazine World Port Development, which is organizing the event.

The Port & Terminal Technology Conference has taken place in Europe for nearly a decade and is now in its sixth year in the U.S.

“We’re excited to host this year’s event,” said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz. “The conference will feature an impressive selection of industry experts speaking on innovations that deliver improved port efficiency.”

PTT USA 2014 will explore the latest developments, trends and technology affecting global ports and terminals. This conference and exhibition specifically targets industry professionals such as port operations, maintenance and engineering, as well as terminal operators, consultancy firms, dredging contractors, maritime construction firms and suppliers of cargo handling and terminal equipment.

Port & Terminal Technology also features a technical exhibition, enabling companies to reach a target audience, showcase their products and network with potential, new and existing customers.

For full event details and to register for Port & Terminal Technology USA 2014, visit www.millenniumconferences.com. This site will be updated continually as specific conference information is confirmed. For information regarding exhibition booths or conference details, contact Claire Palmer at claire@mcimedia.com

The Port of Amsterdam sees LED lighting as a wonderful innovation for giving shape to sustainability targets, for the port as well as its customers. The energy savings amount to around 60% vis-à-vis existing lighting solutions, also thanks to the dimmable light fixtures. Moreover, the white light increases safety, which in turn improves working conditions. There is an environmental benefit too, as the light is less diffused.

Increasing sustainability

Using LED lighting is an excellent example of how to increase sustainability and fits in well with the ambitions of the Port of Amsterdam and its partners. Rietlanden Terminals was awarded a grant from the Port of Amsterdam Sustainability and Innovation Fund for the LED lighting installation. Port of Amsterdam’s CFO, Ed Nieuwenhuizen: “This is an excellent example of a sustainable application that not only saves energy but improves safety too.” Managing Director of Rietlanden Terminals, Karl Schot: “Our energy bill will drop and with this approach we’re also helping to increase sustainability in the port area.”

LED is sustainable

An LED is a semiconductor component which emits light when a current passes through it in the conducting direction. The abbreviation ‘LED’ stands for light-emitting diode.
An LED last much longer than a normal energy-saving lamp. It is also more economical in use and so more sustainable.

About Rietlanden Terminals BV

Rietlanden Terminals is an ambitious, high-quality company which carries out clean storage and transhipment operations while following safe working practices with respect for the applicable legislation and regulations. With its three large terminals (a total area of 60 hectares), five floating cranes and various kinds of on-shore equipment, Rietlanden Terminals takes care of the transit, storage and handling of dry bulk and scrap metal at the Port of Amsterdam. Rietlanden Terminals is capable of efficiently loading and unloading all types of ships from inland navigation vessels to cape-size vessels. The high-quality service is based on quality, flexibility and reliability. Rietlanden Terminals is characterised by its performance orientation, responsibility, initiative, respect for each other and transparency, as well as an awareness of its social responsibility.

It was well attended by 110 guests including Ichiro Maruyama, Minister-Counsellor/Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan, reaffirming MOL’s expansion plan in the containership business in Myanmar and its commitment in furthering the country’s economic development.

“It is my honor to visit Myanmar and I am deeply grateful to the Myanmar government, customers and partners for their continued support in MOL’s business development. Over the years, MOL has grown in tandem with Myanmar and we have long become one of the country’s closest partners,” said MOL President Muto. “As Myanmar continues to open up and expand, we see the country standing in front of a new world – a world of growing economic opportunities of trade/infrastructure development and regional strategic hub position for maritime transportation. MOL is pleased to work together with the country to seize the growth opportunities by further expanding our containership businesses in time.”

MOL’s presence in Myanmar dates back to 1898 when the first cargo ship Hikosan Maru called at the Port of Yangon. Since March 2012, direct service linking Singapore and Yangon has been established; the service provides scheduled sailing to Myanmar customers with assured transit time and connections to MOL’s global network.  In October 2012, MOL established MOL Myanmar Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of MOL. Apart from future expansion on the containership businesses in Myanmar, MOL may expand in time its other businesses to cover bulkers, tankers and car carriers. As a multi-modal transport group, MOL will continue to actively seize opportunities that contribute to global economic growth by constantly monitoring our performance and meeting customer needs.