InterManager Dispatch Issue 13 - May 2016
- 1. Page 1 May 2016 | Dispatch DISPATCH Just over a quarter of a century ago five shipmanagement companies got together to discuss the possibility of improving standards within the shipmanagement sector and in the shipping industry as a whole. Fast forward to 2016, where we are now celebrating an incredible 25 years as a global industry association. Through the years, InterManager has endeavoured to be at the forefront of efforts to raise operating standards; supporting seafarers’rights, as was the case with the Hebei Sprit disaster, during the Presidency of Roberto Giorgi, and promoting the importance of industry benchmarking and the notion of self- regulation, through the Shipping KPI Project spearheaded by Rajaish Bajpaee. In fact, over the last four years, the association has been driven by the changing tides of our industry to create new initiatives central to shipmanagement. At the core of current activities is the association’s work covering important elements such as: • fatigue research, productivity and the need to reduce administrative burdens on our crew, while looking at future technologies that may impact on the man–machine interface on board; • promoting health and safety, through industry best practices and the active support of the 2016 Maritime Labour Convention; • promoting the need for better connectivity for our crew, while highlighting the importance of discipline and awareness of the responsibilities associated with evolving social media trends; and • a whole host of continuing professional development initiatives aimed at enhancing the competency of our global maritime professionals – whom we consider the “heart and soul”of a ship. InterManager’s position within the industry would not be possible without the superb efforts of our Executive Committee, our Secretary-General, and his team and most importantly our members. As we look forward to another inspiring, challenging, thought-provoking and busy quarter of a century, let us continue to strive for ever greater cohesion with ship owners and other industry stakeholders to achieve mutually beneficial goals, while continuing to give ship management a bold and representative voice in the shipping industry. Onward and upward!!! Newsletter | Issue 13 | May 2016 A quarter of a century at the right hand of shipmanagement By Gerardo Borromeo
- 2. Page 2 May 2016 | Dispatch For a civilisation that depends on shipping in order to survive, training the next generation of seafarers is paramount. Training is more important than ever and we cannot only train to the basic level, we must nurture cadets into and through their seafaring careers. It’s 2016 and seafaring has never been more attractive to would-be seafarers, with a career at sea offering prospects for quick advancements up the job ladder and, indeed, a great deal of responsibility for seafarers at a young age. For all the advancement and excellence of technology, with training centres and simulators, nothing can equal the experience cadets receive when heading out onto the open waters. This lack of opportunity can be put down to a number of factors, whether they be an owner not wanting to build more cabins than are necessary or, even if cabin space is there, the additional cost of having a cadet onboard. This must be addressed soon in order to keep a pool of talented seafarers in surplus, to continue the strong maritime community that has existed for millennia. My concern is that we are seeing a lack of interest by a majority of shipowners who do not see the benefits of training cadets themselves. To add insult to injury, we are seeing owners poaching cadets, often Chief Officers and Second Engineers, once they have been trained. What can be done? The British system of cadets being employed first and then being sent through the education and training process is by far the most admirable. Giving young seafarers the confidence to build up their understanding and knowledge within the profession. Although this is a committed avenue of training, it could raise some eyebrows, especially when it comes to financing and tailoring the training. Another open possibility would be for owners/managers to link up with colleges/ universities, for example, InterManager member Videotel’s partnership with the Maritime Learning Alliance to offer degrees in association with Plymouth University, UK. This cost-effective initiative, which is slowly gaining gravitas, could prove to be a game changing in training fresh faces in the ever- changing seagoing industry. InterManager is at the forefront of promoting the best possible training for cadets, being a requirement of joining the association members have to have cadets onboard. This practical experience gives young cadets the confidence to build up their understanding under the patronage of highly experienced and qualified Officers/Masters. The T-word owners fear: training and why it’s a waiting explosion of uncertainty By Captain Kuba Szymanski, InterManager Secretary General
- 3. Page 3 May 2016 | Dispatch InterManager News After months of creative effort we are delighted that our revamped website – www.intermanager.org – is up and running, incorporating a new forum feature as well as being remotely available on smartphones and tablets, allowing interaction between the association and members at sea easier. The launch of the new website, which offers quick and easy access to essential information on InterManager and its projects, is part of the association’s on- going efforts to enhance the quality and availability of information to members and the international maritime community. The website boasts a modern, colourful design, with each page providing detailed information on all aspects of the association’s functions. InterManager Secretary General, Captain Kuba Szymanski, said:“InterManager is delighted to announce that it’s have revised its popular website to provide even more easy-to-access information for its members across the globe. In this age of fast-moving technology we believe it is important to move with the times and stay abreast of latest developments. We have incorporated some exciting new features to ensure our members can access information easily and quickly and the responsive nature of the new site makes it easier for members to access when they are travelling – which is essential given the global nature of the shipmanagement sector.” InterManager was flying the human element flag during The Connecticut Maritime Association’s Shipping 2016 Conference in March, commending seafarers as the“heart and soul”of the industry. Hoisting the flag, Gerardo Borromeo, President of InterManager, moderated a session entitled ‘How can crews stay connected?’, hearing passionately from ship managers and other industry stakeholders on how access to a good Internet connection has become a major concern of crews and, more widely, the shipping community. Speaking of the wider human element, Mr Borromeo said: “While shipping has been steeped in rich traditions of the past, the managers of the future have to be able to anticipate how they can manage their ships even better. InterManager is committed to the furtherance of best practice in the industry.” Continuing to wave the human element flag, InterManager Vice-President George Hoyt moderated a session on fatigue, an issue InterManager and its members feel strongly about. Mr Hoyt spoke of the importance of the human element during the session and said:“The human element is crucial to successful ship management and we must ensure we work together as an industry to raise standards and to encourage good staff – the best and the brightest – to enter and stay in shipping.” InterManager unveils slick new website Human Element: why risk losing talent?
- 4. Page 4 May 2016 | Dispatch IMO Report InterManager’s representative to the International Maritime Organisation, Capt. Paddy McKnight, reports on the latest meetings • Measures to enhance maritime security; • Passenger ship safety; • Safety standards for the carriage of more than 12 industrial personnel on board vessels engaged on international voyages; • Ship systems and equipment; • Carriage of cargoes and containers; • Human element, training and watchkeeping; • Urgent matters emanating from sub-committee NCSR3 on navigation, communications, search and rescue; • Formal safety assessment, including general cargo ship safety; • Piracy and armed robbery against ships • Unsafe mixed migration by sea; and, • Consideration of steering group recommendations for reducing administrative burdens in IMO instruments. Environment protecting and marine safety: come and join the IMO debate Following last month’s meeting of IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), reported separately and attended by over 900 delegates, the next major IMO meeting of interest to InterManager members will be that of the Marine Safety Committee (MSC) which will confront a similarly daunting agenda. It takes place at the IMO from Wednesday 11 to Friday 20 May, 2016. Following is a variety of the most relevant items to be discussed and if any of them really appeal, why not come and join the debate first-hand as a member of our IMO delegation by letting Kuba or myself know and we will make the necessary arrangements: Next month, the Legal committee meets for a few days during the week commencing 6 June (LEG 103), followed a month later by the IMO Council (C116) and both these meetings will be covered in greater detail in due course.
- 5. Page 5 May 2016 | Dispatch News from Members InterManager Member, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM), will be joining its parent company, Bernhard Schulte, to participate in this year’s 24 Peaks Challenge with an increased number of six teams, comprising a total of 30 participants from sea and shore-based personnel. This is the third consecutive year that the Schulte Group is participating in the Seafarers UK 24 Peaks Challenge. A wide mix of personnel from across all shipmanagement and crew service centres, including the Bernhard Schulte CEO, Mr Ian Beveridge, as well as seafarers across the BSM managed fleet will be part of this challenge. Speaking of the value the Schulte Group puts on charity work, Eva Rodriguez, Crew Manager at Bernhard Schulte said: “Bernhard Schulte and BSM are very supportive of this cause as it enables both sea and shore-based personnel to work closely together, challenging themselves as well as raising money for the important work Seafarers UK achieve for the welfare needs of seafarers, ex-seafarers and their dependants from all nationalities throughout the world.” To sponsor, please visit: https://www. justgiving.com/schulte-group- 24peaks/ InterManager is always delighted to hear from its members and their activities. April saw a number of charity events, including EurasiaTravel Network and CESG both taking part in the London Marathon. Congratulations to both EurasiaTravel Network, who had Jackie Campbell running the 26.2 mile course for the Sailors Society in 4 hours 25 minutes; and to CESG’s NathanWard who completed the historical course in 5 hours 20 minutes for Seafarers UK. BSM to tackle the peaks Spiriting for seafarers
- 6. Page 6 May 2016 | Dispatch Get in touch: Click below: Captain Kuba Szymanski InterManager Secretariat 12 Brisbane Street, Douglas, Isle of Man. IM1 3JJ Telephone: +44 7624 498 266 Email: kuba.szymanski@intermanager.org Skype: kubaiom InterManager Website InterManager on Facebook InterManager on Linkedin InterManager on Twitter SUPPORTED BY Just-in-time Crewing for the Energy Sector PETRO JOBS RECRUITMENT PETRO JOBS RECRUITMENT D-55 Ovidiu, Constanta 905 900, Romania. Mail: crewing@petrojobs.rec.ro Web: www.petrojobs.rec.ro Following the success from InterManager Associate Member SOFTimpact’s in the Cyprus Shipping Off-Road Rally who took first place in the 50-mile 2015 rally, the 2016 rally is gaining momentum for the off on the 11th June. As custom dictates, the previous year’s winner arranges the next year’s event and now SOFTimpact are inviting Cyprus’ shipping community to take part in the gruelling one day off-road rally. SOFTimpact has dedicated that this year’s race in aid of the seafarer’s charity, The Mission to Seafarers, who provide help and support to over 1.5 million seafarers. The decision to donate the left over money of the event to the charity came after SOFTimpact visited the charity’s premises at the Limassol Port, where they were met with the charity’s numerous needs. By way of charitable help, SOFTimpact supplied IT equipment to facilitate the communication between seafarers and their families. The rally, which will have up to 35 cars competing for the coveted trophy, will test even the hardiest of armature rally drivers; with obstacle courses and activities to complete along the way. Speaking of its support and sponsorships, InterManager Secretary-General Capt. Kuba Szymanski said:“We are so pleased to once again be sponsoring and supporting this exciting rally. Not only is this an exhilarating event but it is a fun way to raise money for a good cause. Good luck to all the competitors!” Follow all the build-up and the action on the day on the office website...and even register to come racing yourselves: http://cyprusshippingrally.com Shipping takes to the roads for 22nd Cyprus Shipping Off-Road Rally!