This time of the year always gives a great opportunity to consider lessons learned and set new year’s resolutions for new beginnings. For that matter, Mrs. Johanna Kull, Loss Prevention Executive, ALANDIA, makes an assessment of 2021 and shares her message for the new year across the global maritime community.
SAFETY4SEA: How would you briefly describe 2021? What is your assessment?
Johanna Kull: Shifting focus. Learning from the pandemic, many of us seem to realize that there is more to shipping than moving goods and passengers.
We are shifting focus, not just in the maritime industry but more broadly, to see our industry from an economic, environmental, and socially sustainable perspective. We are paying more attention to the worldwide service and welfare that shipping provides.
The discussions, actions, and work with everything from Poseidon principles to the IMO’s strive towards common environmental goals and the awareness being raised surrounding the mental health of crew, are all connected to the shift in focus towards sustainability.
SAFETY4SEA: What were the lessons learned for the maritime industry in 2021 and what to keep for the new year moving forwards?
JK: The lessons learned are that some changes take no time at all, and some changes take forever (even if we know they are necessary). In such a global environment we depend on each other, therefore cooperation is vital for facilitating improvement in any kind.
During the last two years we have had to make many decisions that would have previously been seen as radical but are now perceived as necessary. We need to maintain that courage and continue making decisions and acting toward a modern industry that is beneficial to both humans and the environment.
SAFETY4SEA: Focusing on your area of expertise, what do you think that will be the biggest challenge(s) for the industry in 2022?
JK: We currently have a pandemic that is affecting everybody, and in a way, this makes it easier to share perspectives and support each other. During the pandemic we have seen abandoned crews, undermanned vessels, and problems with crew changes, but we have also seen proof of humane and kind actions to help. We are facing a huge challenge in helping our planet to recover from the consequences of the pandemic, but also from the consequences of how we have misused our planet’s resources for a long time. We need take our lessons learned from the pandemic, keep supporting each other and act bravely to make sustainable decisions.
SAFETY4SEA: What would be the new year’s resolutions for your organization?
JK: We are a relatively small company which is beneficial for getting to know each other well, even between our different offices. Once a year we usually meet for a workshop and have fun together, but during the pandemic we haven’t been able to do that. However, during 2022 we are hoping to meet colleagues and customers again. If 2022 turns into another year of social distancing, our resolution will be to put on our problem-solving hats and work out the best solutions for our customers given the circumstances we find ourselves in.
SAFETY4SEA: What are you looking forward to in 2022? What would you be most glad about seeing changing in the maritime industry next year?
JK: I believe that the digitalization of our industry will develop further in 2022, helping shipping companies achieve safer, smarter, and more reliable business. With the help of data, we can make more sustainable decisions on all levels in our industry.
What always makes me glad is seeing role models bravely choosing to stop following norms that don’t serve humanity or businesses anymore and pave a new path that others can follow. New ideas and innovation come from a creative space that is built on trust, diversity, and great team performance.
SAFETY4SEA: If you could make one wish for the maritime industry for the year to come, what would you ask for?
JK: My wish would be for practical regulations that really support the environment and crew well-being. This might seem like two wishes, but there are actions that could be taken to support both. This is not an easy goal to achieve, due to our industry’s lack of standardization and transparency, but it is a necessary change and requires transformation of old maritime cultures and changes the way we have operated. The pandemic has shown that with a sense of urgency and united efforts toward common goals, we are capable of creating great changes.
* * * New Year’s Resolutions for the Maritime Industry * * *
In 2022,
- We need to repeat... kind acts supporting others.
- We need to lose… stigmas and old norms that are not beneficial.
- We need to gain… trust in future and each other.
- We can succeed by… cooperation and clear goals.
The views presented are only those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only