Tony Munoz

Publisher / Editor in chief, The Maritime Executive

Tony Munoz is the President and Editor-in-Chief of The Maritime Executive magazine. He has over 30 years of experience in the maritime industry, which includes working for West Coast Steamship Lines and PR consulting for some of the industry's largest companies.

Grand Finale for Infamous Glomar Explorer - Part 1

By Tony Munoz 2019-07-10 15:19:00

[This article originally ran on the Maritime Executive website on June 16, 2015.] The story of the Glomar Explorer spans four decades and involves a Soviet nuclear missile submarine, the CIA and an eccentric billionaire. The tale is worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster, but the real-life story of the Glomar Explorer eclipses any fiction Tinsel Town could concoct. The vessel’s history is steeped in international intrigue. The $350-million drillship – an engineering marvel that...

Grand Finale for Infamous Glomar Explorer - Part 2

By Tony Munoz 2019-07-10 15:18:00

[This story originally appeared on the Maritime Executive site on June 17, 2015. To read Part 1, click here.] GSF Explorer: A Drilling Pioneer When the Glomar Explorer ended its military career in 1997 it headed to drydock for conversion into a dynamically positioned deepwater drillship. In this reincarnation, the vessel was capable of drilling in depths up to 11,500 feet (3,500 meters). At the time, this was 2,000 feet (610 meters) deeper than any...

Port Canaveral: The Sweet Spot of Florida

By Tony Munoz 2019-05-23 12:14:45

Port Canaveral is a cruise and industrial shipping powerhouse in the central region of Florida. In 2018, its cargo tonnage increased by seven percent and its passenger volume grew by nearly eight percent, making it the second largest cruise port in the world. “These are exciting times for Port Canaveral, which began as a small fishing port and has grown into an economic driver for the Central Florida region,” says Captain John Murray, Port Director and CEO. “We are continuing...

“Sea the World” – A Pathway to the Maritime Industry

By Tony Munoz 2019-05-11 19:35:18

When a young person gets to glimpse a possible future career, it can have a profound impact. But students can only dream about what they know, and most only know about mainstream careers in traditional professions like medicine, finance, law, teaching or science. The maritime industry is not even on their radar, and it faces a major challenge in attracting young students because most young people are completely unaware of its existence and the opportunities it offers, both at sea...

Interview: Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President & CEO, Celebrity Cruises

By Tony Munoz 2019-04-21 20:59:33

A champion of diversity and inclusion, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo is elevating not just the Celebrity brand but what it represents. Tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up? I’m a Boston girl and went to Bentley College. I like to say I grew up on the sea and now I make my living on the sea. How did that happen? I mean – how did you wind up in the cruise industry? It...

Fool on the Hill

By Tony Munoz 2019-03-15 11:58:03

Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) this month introduced the “Open America’s Water Act of 2019” to repeal the Jones Act, the latest in a series of broadsides over the years aimed at destroying America’s maritime independence. The bill would allow all qualified (foreign) vessels to engage in U.S. domestic trade. It also aims to ensure that Alaskans, Hawaiians and Puerto Ricans pay less for the goods they buy and be allowed to get rapid emergency help in the wake of natural...

Tribulations of the Ignorant

By Tony Munoz 2019-01-23 14:47:00

They come in all forms, the ignorant and misinformed, who attack the Jones Act because it’s perceived to be an easy target. And while it takes courage to enter the political arena, when an inexperienced commentator does so and then stumbles with the basics of her argument, it’s much like listening to a violinist screeching through a classic concerto. In “Defending Jones Act Is Path to Disaster” (https://bit.ly/2ASUAAi), Malia Hill, Policy...

SMM Draws Top Executives & Businesses to Hamburg

By Tony Munoz 2018-09-13 21:42:00

SMM 2018 was a huge success, and The Maritime Executive staff met with many high-profile exhibitors and executives during the four-day trade fair. This year's conference drew 50,000 visitors and around 2,300 exhibitors from 69 countries to Hamburg. With the industry in transition, the event was marked by discussion of new technological advances: high volumes of data streaming from ship to shore; the IMO 2020 low-sulfur mandate; and new alternative marine fuels and hybrid energy technologies. SMM was a high energy show, offering new...

The Benefits of Technology:?Nick Brown of Lloyd's Register

By Tony Munoz 2018-04-25 21:22:00

MarEx recently spoke with Nick Brown, the director of marine and offshore for Lloyd's Register (LR), to learn more about the state of the market for autonomous navigation and cruise ship construction. LR is working with CSSC, Carnival and Fincantieri as they build the first cruise ship ever made in China. MarEx: The industry is abuzz about autonomous ships and shipboard monitoring technologies. What is LR’s view on modern ships? Brown: LR has been working with OEMs, researchers and academia about the...

Smarter with Marlink

By Tony Munoz 2018-04-21 17:38:56

The annual Seatrade Convention in South Florida brings many business travelers from all parts of the globe. Tommy Dybvad, Director of Cruise and Ferry for Northern Europe, is a long-time veteran of the satellite communications scene for the cruise industry. So, let’s catch up with what is happening with onboard communications in those small villages also known as cruise ships. MarEx: What have been some of the most significant developments in satellite communications over the last year?