Jim Lawrence passes away

One of the best-known names in American maritime passed away on Sunday. Jim Lawrence, the founder of Marine Money and MTI Network, succumbed to cancer at the age of 70. Lawrence was also the founder of the Connecticut Maritime Association’s annual conference, something that was sold to Informa seven years ago.

“Jim was always a consummate professional but to us he was always Jim – incredibly energetic, hugely good fun and incredibly knowledgeable about the shipping industry,” MTI, a crisis communications agency, stated in a social media posting.

Six years ago, the US Coast Guard gave Lawrence its distinguished public service award, saying: “He inclusively brought world-renowned leaders and experts from the maritime industry, as well as the regulatory and the financial sectors. Most importantly, he never lost sight of shipping’s most important resource, the mariners, as he diligently ensured their voices were included.”

Lawrence was also a board member at the Seamen’s Church Institute for the last 15 years.