Marshall Islands achieves 100m gross tons
The Marshall Islands flag is commemorating the achievement of 100 million gross tons.
A release issued last Thursday, January 23, chronicled the twenty five year history of the registry's operations under the management of US-based International Registries, Inc. and reported, "Scorpio Group is one of the fastest growing shipowning companies in the Registry and it is anticipated that the registration of the sister ships STI DUCHESSA and STI OPERA will bring the Registry over the 100 million gross tons mark."
That evening, the registry celebrated its milestone with Marine Money at the closing reception of the firm's annual London Ship Finance Forum. Marine Money Chairman and Official Guide to Ship & Yacht Registries Founder Jim Lawrence toasted the flag's success with the following remarks:
The party this evening has prompted a reflection on Milestones. We all have personal ones, etched indelibly into our minds, but we also in an industry as tightly woven and special as ours share some momentous business highlights…some like the boom of 2005, 6 and 7 will be long remembered.
For me, just starting in my career, one special memory was the enthusiasm with which an early mentor, Marlene Daniels, spoke of a newly established ship registry – the Marshall Islands. I was publishing a title, then called the International Ship Registry Review, so the news was important, a new flag. That a special lady was involved in its formation added to the excitement – a personal connection with a new global business. But there were many who asked, “Another Flag, why?”
But, where would we be as a people, as a world if we didn’t continuously strive to build better products, foster and nurture new ideas?
Today, the Marshall Islands is celebrating the registration of 100 million gross tons. I tried to comprehend that measure…
Is it simply the passage of time?
It is much more than that. It is creating a product that meets the needs and the evolving needs of an industry. It is a business that hears of challenges and reacts with serious and professional dedication. It is about a business that joins in the industry’s most serious debates, whether they be about piracy, safety or the environment…and offers ideas and solutions.
But, it is about people, first and foremost. People who have cared enough to work on Christmas, birthdays, holidays and countless midnight closings to deliver special service to an industry they are passionate about and clients they are committed to. Before I finish I did want to quantify in another way what this milestone means...
100 million gross tons is enough space to fit the equivalent of:
- 46 English Channel Chunnels
- 969 Yankee Stadiums
- 32,698,877 elephants
-
9,113,466,577,683 golf balls
- It is a number that gives substance to the global village.
Bill, Laura, John, Theo, Tony, Lucy, John, Clay, Annie, Capt Kim and all of you here tonight, I would like to toast your success and your contribution to this great industry we are all a part of…The fleet is large enough to improve the course of human prospects, you and your clients should be deservedly proud.
And Bill, in case you thought I had forgotten you, 100 million gross tons would be approximately 5 billion Bill Gallaghers! – and with that talented army and your wonderful team, I expect we may be celebrating 200 million gross tons very soon!
To you all and the Marshall Island Registry.
The registry shared a video highlighting their achievements, which can be viewed following this post as well as on the OGSR Facebook page.
The OGSR shares in congratulating the flag on its continued success.
