CargoMetrics Founder and CEO Scott Borgerson Resigns

October 2, 2020 by Mike Schuler

Scott Borgerson has resigned from his role as CEO of CargoMetrics, the shipping data analytics company he founded in 2010, gCaptain has learned.

Tradewinds News broke the story today that Borgerson stepped down due to intense media interested surrounding his rumored links with Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

Privately-held CargoMetrics has confirmed that Borgerson did in fact resign as CEO and from company’s board in late July to “ensure his presence would not become a distraction from the work he believes in so deeply,” the company said in a statement to gCaptain.

CargoMetrics’ President and Chief Operating Officer Jes Scully has been appointed CEO of the company and he has also been named to the company’s Board, the company said.

Boston-based CargoMetrics Technologies was founded by Borgerson in 2010 as data-driven investment company that uses proprietary software to provide real-time insight into the global shipping industry. The company has long been considered a front-runner in the space of big data in shipping and has attracted investments from tech bigwigs such as Eric Schmidt, former CEO and executive chairman of Google, and hedge fund investor Paul Tudor Jones. In 2017, the company entered into an equity agreement with Maersk Tankers, giving the A.P. Moller-Maersk unit access to CargoMetrics’ data and software.

With Scully now at the helm, CargoMetrics says it is continuing its expansion in earnest.

“At CargoMetrics, we continue to be innovative leaders in tracking and analyzing global seaborne trade, providing valuable, predictive insight to those in the shipping and financial markets,” CargoMetrics’ statement said. “At this exciting time in our 12-year-old company’s evolution, long-time President and Chief Operating Officer Jes Scully has been appointed CEO and has been named to the CargoMetrics Board. There is no individual more qualified than Jes to lead our exceptional interdisciplinary team of software engineers, data scientists, mathematicians, and maritime experts as CargoMetrics realize its vast potential.”

https://gcaptain.com/cargometrics-founder-and-ceo-scott-borgerson-resigns/

Sea Machines to Develop Autonomous Refueling Barge for U.S. Military

October 5, 2020 by Mike Schuler

Boston-based autonomous marine navigation company Sea Machines says it has been awarded a U.S. Department of Defense contract to develop a prototype autonomous barge that will essentially serve as floating gas station for military aircraft.

The “Other Transaction” agreement was awarded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)’s Defense Innovation Unit. The goal is to produce a prototype that will enable commercial ocean-service barges as autonomous Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP) units for an Amphibious Maritime Projection Platform (AMPP).

Sea Machines will serve as the prime contractor in the multi-year contract and will work alongside maritime industry leaders including FOSS Maritime and Huntington Ingalls. Bell Flight, a producer of commercial and military, will also be part of the team.

Under the agreement, Sea Machines will engineer, build and demonstrate ready-to-deploy system kits to enable autonomous, self-propelled operation of available barges to land and replenish military aircraft. The remotely-commanded deck barge will be designed to land helicopters and host a scaled fueling station for aircraft, surface vessels and shore replenishment.

The kits will include Sea Machines’ SM300 autonomous-command and control systems, barge propulsion, sensing, positioning, communications and refueling equipment, as well as items required for global deployment. Each modular kit will meet U.S. Navy criteria and will be in compliance with classifications and regulations from the DOD’s aviation bodies.

The deal is the latest government contract for Sea Machines, building on a 2019 deal with U.S. Maritime Administration to test an autonomous oil skimming vessel and, more recently, a deal to develop an autonomous response boat for the U.S. Coast Guard.

“The AMPP autonomous replenishment systems will solve critical logistics challenges of expeditionary missions. We are pleased to enable this innovative capability, which will increase the effectiveness and flexibility for the U.S. military,” said Sea Machines’ Phil Bourque, director, sales. “With Sea Machines systems already working off the waters of four continents, this project is well suited for us and one that we look forward to delivering on for the U.S. Government.”

For Foss’s role, it will provide naval architecture, support engineering and operations management for the project.

“Foss is excited about this new opportunity with Sea Machines. This contract has led to discussions with Sea Machines in a number of other areas where their expertise can help Foss, including bringing more technology to our tug fleet. What they are doing in automation is very interesting and that technology could help our mariners and our vessels safety,” said Foss’ Will Roberts, chief operating officer.

https://gcaptain.com/sea-machines-to-develop-autonomous-refueling-barge-for-u-s-military/

Bain Capital is selling off ships?, wonder why?

Giuseppe Bottiglieri capesize bulker sold

Nicola Capuzzo October 6, 2020

The only capsize bulker in the fleet of Naples-based Giuseppe Bottiglieri Shipping Company, controlled by Bain Capital, has been sold to Zodiac Maritime according to multiple broker sources.

The 2010-built capesize bulk carrier Giuseppe Bottiglieri has been reported sold for a price of $15.7m. VesselsValue places the market value of the ship at $17.17m.

This latest deal follows the sale of four MR tankers earlier this year to Chinese buyers for some $28m. The Mariella Bottiglieri, Alessandra Bottiglieri and Manuela Bottiglieri have all been delivered, while Ghetty Bottiglieri is still to be delivered to the new owner.

Following the completion of the sales, Giuseppe Bottiglieri will have 10 post-panamax bulkers in its fleet.

https://splash247.com/giuseppe-bottiglieri-capesize-bulker-sold/