SAFETY4SEA announced the winners of the 2024 SAFETY4SEA Virtual Awards on Wednesday, October 30th, celebrating the innovators in the maritime industry who are committed to safety and continuously strive to ensure it.
Maritime safety is more than just a term or a set of regulations for compliance—it’s a critical standard. Luckily, our industry has outstanding examples of organizations and individuals who make significant contributions to ensuring safety. The SAFETY4SEA awards aim to showcase their remarkable initiatives and raise awareness to inspire sector-wide change.
SAFETY4SEA Awards to return live in 2025
SAFETY4SEA is pleased to announce that, starting in 2025, the prestigious SAFETY4SEA Awards will once again take place live, providing attendees the opportunity to engage in person with industry leaders and experts.
We are excited to bring back the in-person experience, allowing for enhanced networking, knowledge sharing, and celebration of excellence within the maritime industry.
…commented Apo Belokas, Managing Editor, SAFETY4SEA.
Apo Belokas emphasized the importance of prioritizing safety amidst the many challenges facing the maritime industry: “Along the many challenges ahead, we must never forget that safety comes first on the agenda. It is up to all of us to enhance the industry’s performance, and that is the core purpose of our awards. We hope everyone can draw inspiration from these remarkable operators and organizations that continually strive for excellence.’’, he added.
The recipients of the 2024 SAFETY4SEA Awards are:
Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) received the 2024 SAFETY4SEA Dry Bulk Operator Award for addressing the shortage of skilled labor in the maritime sector with the Smart Academy initiative, targeting nautical, technical, and electrical undergraduates from participating maritime universities. Other short-listed nominees for this category were: Niovis Shipping Co S.A., OLDENDORFF CARRIERS, Star Bulk, V.Group, Wallem Group.
Accepting the award on behalf of the winner, Eva Rodriguez, Director, HR Marine, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, said:
The inspiration behind our small academy is to bridge the existing gap between educators and employers by sharing knowledge, experience, and skill needs between the industry and the educational sector. Through collaboration with partner universities worldwide, students of maritime studies undergo comprehensive training aligned with BSM standards. Emphasis is placed on developing behavioral and leadership competencies well before embarking on diverse vessels.
Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) has introduced a new educational program for future seafarers. The BSM Smart Academy is a collaboration with selected maritime universities worldwide, aimed at bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical training. The BSM Smart Academy focuses on nautical, technical, and electrical undergraduates from participating maritime universities. These undergraduates can join the Smart Academy as designated BSM cadets after completing their first year. They will receive academic education and practical training aligned with current industry requirements. The training adheres to BSM standards, ensuring a higher level of skills development, particularly in behavioral competencies, before they embark onboard. BSM actively invests in crew education, training, and development to address the crewing shortage over time while maintaining the industry’s safety standards and requirements. The BSM Smart Academy complements the existing postgraduate Cadet Programme, internal fleet transition program, and proactive recruitment initiatives.
OSM Thome received the 2024 SAFETY4SEA Tanker Operator Award for fostering a strong corporate culture by applying many initiatives that encourage employee participation, effective leadership, diversity and inclusion and subsequently resulting in high safety performance and operational excellence. Other short-listed nominees for this category were: Columbia Group, Synergy Marine Group, Teekay Tankers Ltd., TORM, Wilhelmsen.
Accepting the award on behalf of the winner, Lisa Holum, VP, Marine Quality Assurance, OSM Thome, said:
At OSM Thome, we pride ourselves on developing a strong company culture by using a series of different initiatives to encourage employee participation, build effective leadership skills, and promote diversity and inclusion. By doing so, we have found that our employees feel empowered and valued, which improves morale and creates a culture of trust. This builds a cohesive workforce where everyone looks out for one another. Essentially, it’s about creating a safety-first attitude that influences every task carried out onboard and in the office.’
OSM Thome believes that a safe working environment is the foundation of its success and the well-being of its team. As part of OSM Thome’s continuous efforts to promote a safer working environment, the company has introduced a series of programs and services to ensure heightened safety awareness and compliance. These initiatives include regular safety training, comprehensive safety audits, and the implementation of advanced safety technologies. The cornerstone of OSM Thome’s success is its competent seafarers. Through various leadership training programs, OSM Thome nurtures a culture that fosters a diverse and inclusive organization, driving excellence at sea. OSM Thome supports diversity and inclusion by applying policies and practices and leveraging partnerships. One example is the Women’s Desk at OSM Thome, a pivotal initiative designed to support and empower female seafarers in the maritime industry. OSM Thome employs around 29,000 seafarers from more than 70 nationalities and focuses on enhancing their competencies through its program called the OSM Thome Competence Management System (CMS).
The American Club received the 2024 SAFETY4SEA Sustainability Award for providing information and comprehensive guidance on SASH (sexual assault and sexual harassment) prevention for crew onboard, raising awareness within the industry through a series of animations and other resources. Other short-listed nominees for this category were: AET, Diversity Study Group, ReCAAP ISC, The International Group of P&I Clubs, World Shipping Council.
Accepting the award on behalf of the winner, Danielle Centeno, Loss Prevention Executive – V.P., The American Club, said:
Our hope is that our SASH scenarios and reference page serve as an accessible training tool for the global maritime industry in order to help promote and retain professional seafarers. We are also grateful to our independent maritime consultant for their professional collaboration on the animations.
In recent years, there has been increasing global awareness of violence and harassment occurring onboard ships, as highlighted by The American Club. In this regard, The American Club offers resources to raise awareness of sexual assault and sexual harassment (SASH) onboard. The Club provides several tools to help ensure a safe and healthy environment for all seafarers. As part of this initiative, the Club has released a series of educational videos. These videos aim to help individuals recognize the signs and signals of escalating workplace sexual harassment. The videos also mention examples of sexual harassment and explore ways to intervene. Anyone witnessing such a situation should take an active role in speaking up and taking action, as emphasized by The Club in a video from its SASH initiative. The American Club has compiled the industry’s best practice guidance into one library on how to prevent and combat violence and harassment in shipping.
Philippine Center for Advanced Maritime Simulation and Training, Inc. (PHILCAMSAT) received the 2024 SAFETY4SEA Training Award for offering Maritime Just Transition (MJT) training programs that aim to address current challenges by providing global maritime professional with a new set of skills and competencies. Other short-listed nominees for this category were: International Marine Contractors Association, Iridium Communications, Mintra and Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM), OneCare Group, VIKAND.
Accepting the award on behalf of the winner, Capt. Pol Winston G. Haboc, Head of PHILCAMSAT & The MAST, Philippine Center for Advanced Maritime Simulation and Training, Inc., said:
As a dedicated partner to PTC and all our principals PHILCAMSAT aims for continuous and transformative innovation in out training and education programs as we strive to deliver the highest standards of safety and quality in maritime education not just in the Philippines, but on a global scale. Advocating the IMO Net-Zero emissions 2050 strategy and the Maritime Just Transition, we drive towards sustainability through green skills training and knowledge sharing.
With over 30 years of training global maritime professionals, PHILCAMSAT offers training on the industry’s current and future requirements. In 2023, PHILCAMSAT stepped forward as the private sector partner of MARINA in leading the Maritime Just Transition (MJT) discussions and implementation in the Philippines. As an advocate of the IMO Net-Zero Emissions 2050 strategy, PHILCAMSAT leads the way in fostering sustainability through innovative training programs focused on green skills. PHILCAMSAT has identified the hurdles of industry’s green transition and provides training program to build the right skills set and competencies. In that regard, PHILCAMSAT initiated the idea of creating the “National Maritime Just Transition Skills Council” in 2022 and introduced the “Maritime Just Transition (MJT) Concept” to various Philippine maritime stakeholders. PHILCAMSAT also offers a breakthrough program called “Ship Handling and Bridge Watchkeeping on Vessels with Wind Assisted Propulsion” a first of its kind in the Philippines. The operation of mechanical sails introduces blind spots for the watchkeepers, and the training ensures the proper lookout, utilizing strategically placed cameras on the forward mast with real-time monitoring. The successful launch of the course late last year with over 50 participants to date and counting, is a testament to PHILCAMSAT’s vision of a more sustainable maritime future.
Cydome received the 2024 SAFETY4SEA Technology Award for providing a combination of holistic cyber protection. It covers all IT, connected OT, and communications assets on board the vessel with both real-time threat detection and proactive prevention, using a maritime-specific database of vulnerabilities that is fully automated on board the vessel. Other short-listed nominees for this category were: MariApps Marine Solutions, Marlink, MSC GROUP HOLDING and GSBN, NorthStandard, OneLink.
Accepting the award on behalf of the winner, Nir Ayalon, CEO, Cydome, said:
The maritime industry is undergoing a profound transformation. Digitalization is now an integral part of the daily operations of vessels, driven by advances in technology, Artificial Intelligence and hyperconnectivity. While this progress unlocks new possibilities, it also introduces new challenges and specifically, increased risk in cyber threats. At Cydome, we believe that every transformation requires a robust and secure foundation. Our mission is to provide that security.
Cydome, a pioneer in maritime-specific cybersecurity, provides a combination of holistic cyber protection with ease of use. It covers all IT, connected OT, and communications assets on board the vessel with both real-time threat detection for the known and unknown threats. Cydome’s solution offers proactive prevention with continuous vulnerability scanning using a maritime-specific database of vulnerabilities that is fully automated on board the vessel with minimal bandwidth consumption. The solution, which has been recently updated to include new features, provides improved security covering more devices and protocols. Cydome’s solution offers improved detection accuracy, utilization of AI that simplifies threat analysis and response and compliance automation for more regulations, among others. Cydome is also committed to improving cybersecurity knowledge and awareness in the industry, and it continuously publishes content to help shipping companies understand recent risks. Cydome has received prestigious endorsement certification from ClassNK and continues to strive to provide the highest cyber protection for maritime companies. Furthermore, Cydome invests a significant amount of its budget in maritime cyber R&D.
Britannia P&I Club received the 2024 SAFETY4SEA Initiative Award for creating a series of ‘loss prevention insight’ reports that offer an in-depth understanding of topical risk issues and are designed to enhance safety and sustainability within the maritime industry. Other short-listed nominees for this category were: I.M.E.Q. Center, International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN), Safetytech Accelerator, Windward Ltd.
Accepting the award on behalf of the winner, Jacob Damgaard, Head of Loss Prevention, Britania P&I Club, said:
The reason for the insight reports is the acknowledgment that the maritime world is becoming increasingly complex. Therefore, there is a greater need for expert advice for our members and shipowners around the world. These reports are developed by the loss prevention team, in collaboration with the applications team and external consultants, who provide their extensive knowledge on various topics related to safety, cargo, and operational matters.
The Britannia Group’s loss prevention team has created a series of ‘loss prevention insight’ reports that offer an in-depth understanding of topical risk issues. This series of comprehensive insight reports covers a wide range of critical topics in loss prevention. The reports provide shipowners and operators with essential knowledge and best practices to mitigate risks. Britannia’s loss prevention team ensures that each insight report is both informative and practical. Britannia P&I loss prevention insights address real-world challenges faced by the shipping community and feature diverse topics with expert collaboration. The insight reports delve into various pressing issues, such as electric vehicle fires, fumigation, and the carriage of rice. The insight reports are made readily accessible to the maritime community through Britannia’s website and social media channels. They are also translated into different languages.
Apart from the collective efforts of the industry, there are individuals who serve as shining examples of the kind of people that the industry should be made of. The last two awards recognize such individuals who, through their stance and professionalism, have contributed to shaping a brighter future.
Nicholas Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Lloyd’s Register, received the 2024 SAFETY4SEA Personality Award for his contribution to safer shipping through various roles. Since 1996, he has been working at Lloyd’s Register and was appointed CEO in January 2021. His focus as CEO is to deliver Lloyd’s Register’s vision of ‘working together for a safer world,’ improving performance and sustainability.
Accepting the award, Nicholas Brown stated:
Shipping inherently comes with risks, and classification societies play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of vessels, crews, cargo, and the environment. Safety must remain at the center of everything we do, every minute of every day. Furthermore, fostering gender equality and ensuring appropriate safety provisions, such as access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and facilities for all employees, remains a priority.
Throughout his extensive career at LR, Nicholas (Nick) Brown has worked as a ship surveyor in Bahrain, Dubai, Finland, and Germany, before moving to China, where he spent seven years leading LR’s activities in the country. Nick is a graduate of Nottingham University and a Chartered Mechanical Engineer. He is also a Member of both the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology. Nick also sits on the Supervisory Board of the UK Chamber of Shipping and the Advisory Council of the Global Maritime Forum. In July 2021, Nick served as the first elected Chair of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS).
Guy Platten, Secretary General, International Chamber of Shipping, received the 2024 SAFETY4SEA Leadership Award, sponsored by Fleet Management Limited, for demonstrating leadership in creating a safety culture within shipping and advocating for a change in mindset to embrace innovation and sustainability.
Since 2018, Guy Platten has served as Secretary General of ICS, having held numerous senior positions throughout his career. He recently announced his decision to step down as Secretary General of ICS in mid-2025, commenting that his work at ICS has been the highlight of his career and that he is proud of all the achievements.
Presenting the award on behalf of the sponsor, Mike Bradshaw, Director, Fleet Management Limited, said:
Our company strongly promotes a safety culture in the shipping industry and continuously advocates for embracing innovation and sustainability. With extensive experience both at sea and ashore, I know Guy Platon as the Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), who believes that success comes from the strength of effective individuals, teams, and teamwork.
Accepting the award, Guy Platten stated:
When I look back over the last two years, I see that the industry has faced many challenges. When I first joined the ICS in 2020, these issues were at the forefront of our minds. Since then, we have navigated the COVID-19 crisis, with over 800,000 seafarers stuck on board or ashore, unable to join or leave their ships. Additionally, decarbonization is another significant challenge, as we need to make a massive transition toward a net-zero future over the next 25 years. At the heart of all these challenges are the crew members; they are central to everything we do.
Guy has extensive experience in the maritime industry both at sea and ashore and is a qualified Master Mariner. He has held several senior positions, including Chief Executive of the UK Chamber of Shipping, Chief Executive of Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited, and Director of Marine Operations for the Northern Lighthouse Board. Guy’s career at sea began in 1982 with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service. He joined the RNLI in 1993 as an Inspector of Lifeboats, later serving as the Inspector for Scotland, training and overseeing lifeboat crews around the coast. Guy then worked with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) as a Salvage Officer, leading or contributing to several projects. Among these projects, he participated in the removal of oil from a sunken World War II battleship, the recovery of ditched aircraft, and the refloating of a grounded warship.
Explore more about the 2024 SAFETY4SEA Awards here
