The “Maritime Cyprus 2013” Conference, a Conference of a
worldwide range, organised for the thirteenth time since its inception
in 1989, continued Wednesday for the third day and has successfully
reached its completion. The large attendance proves once again its vast
importance and reputation as a global shipping Conference.Wednesday’s discussion was focused on the subject “Looking Ahead to
the Future” and was divided into two parts, the first one examining “The Human Element in Shipping: Anticipating New Challenges?” whereas the
second inquired into “Trends in Shipping”.The first discussion relating to “The Human Element in Shipping:
Anticipating New Challenges?” was moderated by Mr. Stephen Cotton,
General Secretary of the International Transport Workers’ Federation –
ITF. The group of panellists was consisted of: Mr. Hans Leo J. Cacdac,
Administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration –
POEA, Mr. Giampiero Soncini, Chief Executive Officer of SpecTec Group
and Mr. Constantinos S. Galanakis, Chief Executive Officer of ELVICTOR
Group. The discussion covered various aspects, such as perspectives
beyond the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006, seafarers (homo
maritimus) and Information Technology as well as new challenges in
shipping. Particular emphasis was granted to the increasing need/demand
for competent crew in view of the rapid expansion of the world fleet
(84,000 oceangoing vessels) and the shortage of seafarers at the same
time (by 2015 there will be a shortage of 60,000 officers/ competent
crew members). The need for investment in the human factor was stressed
out, since good seafaring competence can guarantee safe and profitable
operations, through communicating the multiple opportunities for
recruitment, the attractive salaries, as well as caring for appropriate
and innovative employment and living conditions. The need to establish,
beyond MLC, supplementary appropriate arrangements in order to remedy
the problem of the abandonment of seafarers in case of shipowner’s
insolvency, was expressed during this debate. The establishment of such
arrangements requires the cooperation of all stakeholders involved, such as Flag States, Port State Control Authorities, Trade Unions,
Shipowners, Bankers, Insurers. Furthermore, the discussions underlined
the necessity to promote the seafaring profession through appropriate
media campaigns.The second discussion inquired into “Trends in Shipping”. Moderator
of the discussion was Captain Eugen H. Adami, President of the Cyprus
Shipping Chamber. The group of panellists was consisted: of Dr. Martin
Stopford, Non Executive President of Clarksons Research Studies, London, Mr. Dagfinn Lunde, Member of the Board of Norddeutsche Landesbank
Girozentrale, and Mr. Thomas Rehder, President-Elect of the European
Community Shipowners’ Association – ECSA. The discussion was focused on
the forecasting statistics concerning the future developments in global
shipping, the new market trends as well as the future and emerging
opportunities. It was indicated that currently the market has built-up a sizable surplus of ships which may constitute 25% of the fleet. The
surplus is being absorbed by slow steaming which will need to be
realised before real market is re-established. Furthermore, it was
stressed that whereas new buildings offer technological solutions second hand ships are considered still young and worth improving and may be
upgraded in order to extent their life time. Concluding, it was
expressed that in the future shipping and the market will improve for
almost all types of freight with the exception of crude oil, the trade
of which is expected to improve in a much slower pace. With regard to
ship financing of, it was pointed out that it is anticipated that
opportunities will be available for credible shipowners through new
financing systems.
WORLD SHIPPING
10 October 2013 - 21:11
Maritime Cyprus 2013 Conference Reaches Conclusion
The “Maritime Cyprus 2013” Conference, a Conference of a worldwide range, organised for the thirteenth time since its inception in 1989, continued Wednesday for the third day and has successfully reached its completion.
WORLD SHIPPING
10 October 2013 - 21:11
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