The American Club’s main priorities for loss prevention over the next five years focus on wellness, mental health, anti-harassment measures, and mentorship programs to attract and retain skilled seafarers, key experts from the Club argue.
Overall, the shipping industry needs to promote its modern image through digital platforms, embrace innovation, and adopt inclusive practices to address workforce shortages and build a sustainable, diverse future.
SAFETY4SEA: What are your key priorities for the loss prevention agenda over the next five years?
Dr. William Moore: The American Club’s loss prevention focus will continue to focus on wellness related issues as that is a primary concern to attract and retain qualified seafarers. To date, the American Club does so through our guidance focused on subjects that include mental wellness, anti-harassment, anti-bullying, anti-sexual assault and sexual harassment, our Good Catch initiative focused on self-awareness to prevent incidents. We also look to assist our shipowner Members in their path to decarbonization, taking into account best safe practices for seafarers as the industry adapts to the use of alternative fuels. In summary, the American Club will adapt to the needs of shipowner Members as they seek to ensure and enhance safety and environmental protection with a particular focus on the needs and requirements of their seafarers.
SAFETY4SEA: Has the industry effectively addressed Human Factors and the needs of seafarers onboard? What changes are necessary to improve this area?
Danielle Centeno: The retention of good seafarers has long been a priority and challenge for the industry as there are both benefits and drawbacks to having a career at sea. The identification and development of soft skills that are imperative to modern seafaring is as important as development of hard skills. One particular concern has been for shipowners to consider the development and implementation of mentorship programs for young officers in particular. Such investments require a concerted effort and commitment from both shoreside staff and senior shipboard officers. The American Club does emphasize mental wellness and sees mentoring as a key component to ensuring seafarers maintain the mental fitness.
SAFETY4SEA: Despite various initiatives and collaborative efforts, are there crew welfare issues that still need to be addressed from a regulatory perspective?
Dr. William Moore: There is a significant lag time between amending and implementing the Standards for Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) to keep up with the modern requirements taking into account technological developments, handling and operating with alternative fuels and evolving soft skill requirements to address human element concerns. The American Club works with our industry partners (e.g., International Group of P&I Clubs, INTERTANKO, etc.) in identifying and putting into action relevant loss prevention initiatives that can be implemented in advance of forthcoming regulations.
SAFETY4SEA: The American Club places strong emphasis on safety, security, and sustainability. What trends do you foresee shaping the future of sustainable and safe shipping practices?
Danielle Centeno: The American Club’s culture has long been consistent with adapting to the industry’s challenges to provide guidance on safety to prevent incidents and financial security support our shipowner Members in their global trade and sustain those efforts since 1917. Alongside our Members we are there to assist and ensure that their efforts in meeting regulatory requirements and sustainability goals are supported. The most important challenge to the industry at this time is the road to decarbonization and the Club will be here in the quest for safety, environmental protection and financial security. We will continue to embrace innovation and technology advancements for a safer, more secure, and environmentally friendly maritime industry.
SAFETY4SEA: What changes are needed to enhance the industry’s profile and attract future talent?
Joanna Koukouli: Attracting and, of course, retaining talent is a major challenge for the shipping industry across its sectors. Shipowners and managers, port operators and other maritime service providers require skilled and committed seafarers and shore-based personnel, respectively, to function and grow in a successful and sustainable manner. Although the maritime industry has traditionally relied on more competitive salaries and benefits for talent sourcing, appealing to newer generations requires investing in deeper layers affecting job satisfaction. A company’s safety culture is the most apparent indicator of an employer’s commitment to its personnel, which is no longer limited to physical safety and health, but extends to mental wellness, thus setting a new measure of holistic employee well-being. This is greatly achieved by initiatives promoting work-life balance and healthy team bonding.
SAFETY4SEA: How does technology help the maritime industry address workforce shortages and enhance its overall performance?”
Joanna Koukouli: Technology, of course, is a major factor in safety enhancement and prevention or minimization of maritime accidents and casualties. In parallel, technological innovation simplifies procedures and seriously reduces times, naturally improving employee performance, whilst gaining a competitive advantage in attracting top talent. However, technological advancement is no longer viewed in isolation; it is invariably coupled with green practices and sustainability initiatives, which, again, attract high quality environmentally and generally risk-conscious candidates. Shipping, a traditionally male-dominated industry facing serious seagoing workforce shortage, is actually making great progress in adopting inclusive gender-equal practices and promoting diversity to secure a sustainable future. Undoubtedly, in a world dominated by digital marketing, the industry’s positive evolution must be highlighted and promoted through social media and platforms, with a view of improving the industry’s “old-fashioned” image whilst appealing to top talent of the new, tech-savvy generation.
The views presented are only those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
