TURTLE: Technology and data are crucial to achieve industry’s ESG targets

Isabelle stresses the importance of integrating ESG principles into corporate culture, emphasizing that this requires both time and effective change management. Moreover, she urges industry stakeholders to prioritize innovation, inclusion, and social responsibility to drive positive change in the shipping sector, particularly for future generations.

SAFETY4SEA: When it comes to ESG and sustainability, what are the key priorities on your agenda for the next five years?

Isabelle Rickmers: From TURTLE’s perspective, concentrating on the “social” aspect of ESG initiatives is crucial. This includes prioritizing the attraction of young talent and promoting diversity, including female seafarers and individuals from various nationalities – addressing the industry’s talent shortage head-on. Our commitment focuses on seafarers’ well-being and fair treatment, highlighting critical issues like employability and illegal recruitment fees, aiming for a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable maritime future.

S4S: How do you address the evolving needs and challenges faced by the maritime industry through your services?

I.R.: TURTLE has launched a global data-driven recruitment platform targeting the fragmented global crew market. By utilizing a digital tool and combining it with AI, the recruitment process is streamlined, increasing efficiency and objectivity. This approach enables companies to recruit on a broader geographic scale, mitigating risks from regional or global disruptions. TURTLE offers insights into recruitment performance, helping companies refine their hiring strategies.  Using a modern career tool gives seafarers self-determination and the comfort of knowing that their sensitive data is protected. Furthermore, it closes compliance gaps, lowers barriers to entry, and attracts diverse talent. The strategy aims to make recruitment more efficient, fair, and accessible for both seafarers and shipping companies.

S4S: Tell us a few words about the TURTLE Platform. How does your platform promote fair and self-determined recruitment processes for seafarers in terms of ESG principles?

I.R.: TURTLE’s platform is committed to transparency. We offer a tool to eliminate discrimination in recruitment and ensure equal opportunities for candidates. With access to more than 140 nationalities from around the world, companies can broaden their recruitment spectrum. Empowerment is central, offering seafarers all the information to make informed career decisions.  We also advocate against unethical practices, enhancing our impact by collaborating with the most relevant industry organizations alike MACN, GMF, IHRB, SSI, ISWAN conducting surveys, and participating in panels to raise awareness and we elevate the discourse around fair recruitment practices and employability.

S4S: Do you believe the maritime industry is moving in the right direction? What do you see as the defining ESG/sustainability trends driving maritime toward the future?

I.R.: The maritime industry is advancing in sustainability and ethics, guided by ESG principles, with an emphasis on environmental issues, the “E”. Here we see major moves into the right direction.  TURTLE, established 3 years ago, is a frontrunner in addressing the “S” aspect. We advocate for seafarer welfare, spur diversity, and create awareness about fraudulent or bogus malpractices in recruitment. Although the last two years have been characterized by initiatives around the “S”, challenges in supply chain transparency persist. Additionally, the industry faces tighter regulations and stresses collaboration for ESG achievements, marking a significant move towards a sustainable and ethical maritime future, aligning with broader sectoral standards.

S4S: How could industry stakeholders best collaborate in support of sustainable development? How is Turtle Maritime fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing?

I.R.: In the maritime industry, there’s a collaborative approach to enhancing sustainability and ethical practices. Stakeholders are coming together in alliances, conferences, and focus groups to share best practices and execute joint surveys. By setting up these surveys in partnership with large industry organizations, insights are being shared widely across the sector. Additionally, working groups are being established to tackle issues such as illegal recruitment fees, with organizations like AAA, IHRB, SSI, MACN, MtS and ISWAN playing key roles. In Spring 2023, IHRB/SSI published a briefing about Seafarers and Illegal Recruitment Fees based on a survey conducted across the TURTLE seafarer database. With almost 5000 surveyed seafarers, we were and are a major contributor to the awareness and misconduct in this field. TURTLE is a member of the All Aboard Alliance and is actively working on Diversity@Sea and Diversifying Maritime Leadership projects.

S4S: How can industry stakeholders bring ESG to life in their companies? What role does management play in this regard?

I.R.: To implement ESG principles effectively, industry players must integrate the respective values into their corporate culture, both on land and at sea. Leadership plays a key role in this process. Executives should support ESG initiatives by incorporating them into the company’s strategic goals as well as day-to-day operations. This process is change management, so it takes some time: not only to set goals but it takes time to raise awareness and to ensure clear dialogue and understanding about “why are we doing this”.

S4S: How do technology and data play key roles in helping the maritime industry comply with ESG/sustainability targets?

I.R.: Technology and data are crucial for the maritime industry to achieve ESG and sustainability targets. Advanced technologies such as AI and blockchain optimize operations, reduce emissions, and improve fuel efficiency. Data analytics support informed decisions for sustainable resource use and operational efficiency. In case of TURTLE, the technology enables both companies and seafarers to find each other globally which would not be possible offline to the same extent, considering that we give companies access to already >170,000 seafarers. Data analytics is then a cornerstone enabling a data-driven recruitment approach, making it possible to reach out to the right candidates based on objective criteria while giving room to set priorities like diversity. Such an objective and direct approach means at the same time a push for a cleaner and more transparent recruitment with no room for corruptive behaviour. Finally, by leveraging insights from comprehensive data analysis, TURTLE can identify trends, preferences, and needs in the recruitment landscape. Given the latest developments, AI will play an even more important role for TURTLE going forward.

S4S: In a report, BIMCO and ICS have warned that the industry must significantly increase training and recruitment levels to avoid a serious crew shortage. What is your feedback from the market? How concerning is the crew shortage, and where do ship operators need to focus their attention?

I.R.: Our feedback from the market reflects these concerns. The industry faces an urgent need to intensify its training and recruitment efforts to prevent a significant shortage of qualified crew members. We need to tap onto the full pool of talent – worldwide. Shipping companies need to broaden their recruitment approaches by hiring seafarers of different nationalities and investing in training programs that meet the increasing demand for new fuels, leadership in diverse teams, mental health and crew wellbeing – just to name a few. Rather than working with short-term tactics, companies should undertake strategic crew planning and create an inclusive, flexible, and visionary framework for recruitment and training to effectively combat the talent shortage and to retain them.  As an industry we should work on making maritime careers more attractive. This is a constant topic we hear and see as concern on conferences – that many seafarers chose this job mainly as of monetary incentives with missing alternatives in their home countries.

S4S: What actions should we take to collectively create an inclusive and attractive industry and improve the industry’s image for the younger generation?

I.R.:

• Modernize recruitment: streamline processes to attract digitally affine, young people.
• Promote diversity and inclusion: foster an environment of belonging, equality, and respect.
• Invest in education and training: equip young talent with relevant know-how and skills.
• Improve seafarers’ wellbeing: prioritize the wellbeing of the workforce.
• Leverage technology: introduce innovative technologies to appeal to tech enthusiasts.
• Provide career opportunities: provide clear pathways for career development.
• Commit to social responsibility: demonstrate commitment to positive global impact.

With these steps, the maritime industry is positioning itself as a future-oriented, technology-driven sector that reflects the values of young talent and makes a positive contribution to the global community. 

S4S: If you could change one thing in the industry to boost ESG awareness in the shipping industry from your perspective, what would it be and why?

I.R.:  The further roll-out of ESG-related loans by banks, that include performance indicators, could significantly increase ESG awareness and action in the maritime sector. The same applies for incentives from cargo owners – the consumer side. Shipping companies who meet certain environmental, social & governance criteria should be incentivized to adopt responsible practices that can be proven by data. Linking financial incentives to comprehensive ESG improvements promotes a holistic approach to positive change in the shipping industry. 

S4S: Do you have any new projects/plans that you would like to share with industry stakeholders?

I.R.:  We are on our way to developing the largest database in the maritime sector, providing shipping companies with unparalleled insight. We can provide vital data that benefits everyone, the shipping companies, the industry as a whole and therefore the welfare of seafarers, to make informed decisions and drive the industry forward sustainably and responsibly. As said before, AI will play a major role for us.

S4S: What is your key message to industry stakeholders regarding a more sustainable future for shipping?

I.R.:  Promote innovation and champion inclusion to lead the shipping industry into a future that is not only sustainable and efficient but also socially responsible, attracting the next generation of talent. For that, you need to rely on data when looking at your processes.

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.