The winners of the 2023 SAFETY4SEA Awards announced

The world is placing greater emphasis on shipping’s global impact in every respect. No longer an invisible force, shipping is in the spotlight, and in that regard, industry stakeholders need to collaborate to ensure that standards across the board reflect the best of what our maritime sector can be. In that regard, the SAFETY4SEA Awards aim to shade light on successful initiatives, inspiring maritime stakeholders to learn from others’ achievements as they work to improve safety performance.

2023 SAFETY4SEA Awards honor best practices that can set the example for a more attractive, inclusive and sustainable shipping industry. In this context, we must ensure that safety comes first in industry’s agenda.

…commented Apo Belokas, Managing Editor, SAFETY4SEA.

”This is a high priority as it directly impacts the lives of seafarers and the environment. Only by prioritizing safety we can pave the way for a more sustainable shipping future. And of course, along with safety, many are the challenges ahead.  It is up to all of us to enhance industry’s performance and this is the scope of our set of awards.’’,  Apo Belokas added.

The winners of the 2023 SAFETY4SEA Awards are:

Wallem Group received the 2023 SAFETY4SEA Dry Bulk Operator Award for investing in human factor. The company employs 7,000 seafarers and has developed a network of training centers that ensures seafarers can perform their jobs to the highest of standards, focusing on continual appraisals, skill-gap analyses, and performance tracking. Other short-listed nominees for this category were: Berge Bulk, OSM Thome, Pacific Basin Shipping Limited, POLSKA ŻEGLUGA MORSKA, POLSTEAM, Star Bulk Management Inc.

Accepting the award on behalf of the winner, Ioannis Stefanou – Managing Director, Ship Management, Wallem Group, said:

This recognition is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire team. It is a sterility commitment to safety and operational excellence that has been rewarded here. In an industry with a lot of challenges, we have strived to live with innovation, responsibility, and transparency. Thank you to our clients, partners, and supporters.

Recognising that a competent crew is essential to safe and efficient vessel operations, Wallem takes training seriously. Wallem Group employs 7,000 seafarers and has developed a network of training centers that ensures seafarers can perform their jobs to the highest of standards. Wallem recruits seafarers from around the globe including from major crewing centres such as India, the Philippines and Ukraine. The company has invested in the development of its people, focusing on continual appraisals, skill-gap analyses, and performance tracking. Wallem’s network of training centres ensures crew are equipped with technical proficiency, understand the commercial realities of vessel operations, and stay focused on compliance and safety. Through a culture of empowerment built on engagement and responsibility, Wallem encourages seafarers to take ownership of – and pride in – their work. Wallem’s e-learning platform offers opportunities for ongoing self-improvement, which is accessible anywhere at any time. Wallem believes that diversity is a strength is embodied in its inclusive employment policy and commitment to equal opportunities. Wallem is one of the leading employers of women seafarers.

Eastern Pacific Shipping Pte. Ltd received the 2023 SAFETY4SEA Tanker Operator Award for supporting crew welfare. The company has shifted its culture from managing ships to leading people. Supporting this culture shift is the EPS Life at Sea Programme – a robust initiative designed to improve mental and physical wellbeing. Other short-listed nominees for this category were: Goodwood Ship Management Pte. Ltd., Synergy Group, Teekay Shipping (Singapore) Pte. Ltd, Thenamaris, Zodiac Maritime.

Accepting the award on behalf of the winner, Capt. Nadim Prasad, Fleet Director, EPS Singapore, said: “We have sifted our culture from managing ships to leading people. For us, crew welfare is a top priority. We established the life at sea program to anise the quality of life onboard.”

This program is designed to improve the long-term physical and mental well-being of seafarers, to benefits such as improve, cross cultural integration, to stay in touch with love ones etc. Our crew also has 24/7 access to professional mental health services.

EPS Life at Sea Programme is a robust initiative designed by the Eastern Pacific Shipping Pte. Ltd to improve mental and physical wellbeing of company’s 6,000 strong workforce. While the programme is intended to enhance the quality of life onboard today, it is also an investment for the next generation of seafarers. The programme plays a key role in supporting EPS’ rapid growth where attracting and retaining talent is a necessity. The EPS Life at Sea Programme includes a comprehensive set of benefits such as: Reimagined Accommodations; Increased Connectivity; State-of-the-Art Gymnasiums and Dedicated Physical Readiness Coaches. EPS has engaged a team of professional clinical psychologists, providing a 24/7 helpline and bespoke campaigns on specific issues such as coping with stress, depression, employee conflict, fears, and anxieties. The EPS program also focuses on uplifting topics such as gratitude, daily affirmations, positive communications, diversity, resilience, and compassion. EPS believes that proper mental hygiene is crucial for a safe, positive, and healthy life and working environment. With this project, EPS is once again at the forefront of innovation, having already garnered praise from around the world and multiple accolades for its Life at Sea Programme.

Isle of Man Ship Registry received the 2023 SAFETY4SEA Sustainability Award for being a leading flag state, committed to driving sustainability in the maritime sector. IOMSR represents a third of tonnage under the Red Ensign and focuses its sustainability support by adopting four UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Other short-listed nominees for this category were: ABS, Hafnia, Hoegh Autoliners Management AS, Odfjell SE, Sustainable Shipping Initiative.

Accepting the award on behalf of the winner, Toby Brooks, Deputy Director, IOMSR, said: “I would like to thank you for the sustainability award. We are proud and delighted to receive this award and to be recognized for the work we have put together as a business.”

We are finding ways to support investment in green tech and promote sustainability within the maritime sector. This award really gives us the boost to find new ways to promote sustainability and learn more.

The Isle of Man Ship Registry (IOMSR) is one of the world’s leading flag states, committed to driving sustainability in the maritime sector, by adopting four UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Today the IOMSR represents a third of tonnage under the Red Ensign, ranked 18th in the world by Clarksons. IOMSR management team, led by director Cameron Mitchell, supports numerous shipping line clients and help them meet the IMO 2030 and 2050 GHG targets. IOMSR has paved the way for VLGCs to be retrofitted to run on LPG, working with BW LPG, Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, MAN Energy Solutions and DNV. With the support of the Isle of Man Government, IOMSR aims to significantly reduce its carbon footprint thought its activities. IOMSR is also embracing technology with more remote surveys, using a global network of surveyors to undertake inspection work. IOMSR is the only flag state to join the Getting to Zero coalition the industry-led alliance working towards maritime decarbonization. To support sustainability and incentivize action, the IOMSR is one of the first flag states to reduce registration fees for ships deploying green technology.

International Maritime Employers Council (IMEC) received the 2023 SAFETY4SEA Training Award for its Philippines Cadet Programme with the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP). Over 1,700 graduates of this program, launched in 2008, are already employed as Deck and Engine Officers in the maritime sector. Other short-listed nominees for this category were: International Group of P&I Clubs, Ocean Technologies Group, OneLearn Global, The Nautical Institute Academy.

Accepting the award on behalf of the winner, Rob Gale, Head of Training, IMEC, said: “This award does really speak volumes of our work in the Philippines, to be recognized in this category among some other great training initiatives, with their great training provides.”

I would like to make a special mention for the IMEC staff in the Philippines and also in the UK, for the work that is done on the background. IMEC works, to ensure that future technologies such as alternative fuels, digitalization, is being covered so the future seafarers are prepared for the transition.

The International Maritime Employers Council (IMEC) receives the award for its Philippines Cadet Programme with the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP). IMEC has been active in the Cadet Recruitment since 2008. Over 1,700 graduates of this program are already employed as Deck and Engine Officers in the maritime sector. In addition to this highly successful cadet training programme, IMEC has also explored other potential locations for an IMEC Cadet Training Programme. IMEC is now pleased to announce the launch of a Pilot Cadet Training Programme in India and also in South Africa. According to research conducted in the past few years, these new places are demonstrating a high level of demand. With its cadet training initiatives, IMEC continues to assist industry with the seafarer shortage. IMEC continues to horizon scan future maritime labour alternatives to diversify the worlds shipping fleets with high quality officers for the maritime industry.

Survitec received the 2023 SAFETY4SEA Technology Award for its ‘SMARR-TI (Safety Management and Rapid Response – Technology Interface)’ monitoring technology for smarter safety management. It integrates fire detection and fire suppression systems within one easy-to-use solution with the aim to give early warnings in case of a fire incident onboard. Other short-listed nominees for this category were: Clever Point Marine, MariApps Marine Solutions, Mintra, ORBCOMM.

Accepting the award on behalf of the winner, Finn Lende-Harung, Director of Commercial Operations, Survitec, said: “The thing that makes me particularly proud of the team here at Survitec, is that this is the second year in a row that we are winning this technology award. Thank you for this great recognition.”

I’m so proud of the entire team that’s brought SMARR-TI to life. This is a good reminder of what we live for every day here at Survitec: to protect lives.

Survitec receives the award for its ‘SMARR-TI (Safety Management and Rapid Response – Technology Interface)’ monitoring technology. SMARR-TI is unique because it integrates fire detection and fire suppression systems within one easy-to-use solution. There is currently no other digitised safety monitoring solution like this. The aim is to give early warning of changes in a quick and effective way and then to enable swift action to prevent a fire from happening. SMARR-TI was developed in cooperation with the Tersan shipyard, Turkey, and Havila Voyages, Norway, and supplements SOLAS requirements for general arrangement plans to be permanently exhibited for the guidance of the ship’s officers and crew. The technology provides a digital interactive plan of the entire ship’s fire defence systems, encompassing fire prevention, fire detection, and fire suppression. SMARR-TI is supported by real-time status updates and notifications so the crew can receive early warning of changing conditions. By way of a 27-inch touchscreen monitor on the bridge and in the engine control room, the crew can monitor and operate the ship’s fire defences simply and easily. Real-time status indication is paired with alerts and notifications to warn of temperatures exceeding set limits or the presence of smoke or flame.

Hafnia received the 2023 SAFETY4SEA Initiative Award for implementing the ‘’Hafnia at Sea Maternity Overview’’ in 2022. This initiative supports female seafarers to repatriate in case of maternity, receive paid maternity leave and related compensation and return to work to continue their maritime career after childbirth. Other short-listed nominees for this category were: Green Marine, Greywing Pte Ltd., The Nautical Institute, VIKAND.

Accepting the award on behalf of the winner, Shivas Kapoor, GM, Head of Crewing, Hafnia, said: “Our journey towards achieving gender equality in the maritime sector is a long and challenging one, and it is far from getting over.”

Maternity leave for our female seafarers is not a given, and we want to change that. This is not a matter of policy or compliance, but it’s only the right that we provide all our seafarers with.

Hafnia implemented the ‘’Hafnia at Sea Maternity Overview’’ in 2022. This initiative supports female seafarers to repatriate in case of maternity, receive paid maternity leave and related compensation and return to work to continue their maritime career after childbirth. The initiative is in line with Hafnia’s ESG values, where the “People First” purpose is applied across all company’s social and sustainability initiatives. Hafnia has officially implemented this paid maternity leave within a policy that includes a safety approach to women who are pregnant whilst sailing. Hafnia believes that the women work with at sea are truly remarkable and should all feel valued and fairly treated especially when it comes to family planning. Empowering women is imperative for the industry to further enhance its ambitions of attracting and retaining top female talent onboard hence fostering a sustainable, diverse and inclusive culture. With this initiative, Hafnia supports women in pregnancy during the period of employment with clear maternity leave policy and criteria, supporting also the continuation of their maritime career after birth.

Karin Orsel, founder and CEO of MF Shipping Group, received the 2023 SAFETY4SEA Personality Award, , sponsored by MacGregor, for her significant efforts to improve Diversity & Inclusivity within the maritime industry, while placing a strong priority on raising awareness of mental health issues. Orsel currently serves as Vice Chair of ECSA, Board Member of the Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners, Board Member of ICS, Member of the ExCo of INTERTANKO, Trustee of ISWAN, on the Board of Directors of BIMCO and as Ambassador for WISTA International.

Accepting the award, Karin Orsel, CEO, MF Shipping Group said: “Without cooperations and involvement you cannot make steps, because the industry partners need the government, rules and regulations and vice versa.”

Only by doing things together we can make a change. Therefore, I think I really need to thank not only the organizations, but also the core people. The core people for me are seafarers and the people in the office. Not only at my office and our seafarers, but globally, because they make the difference.

Karin Orsel became a ship-owner and maritime entrepreneur at the age of 23 in the northern town of Delfzijl in the Netherlands. She has been CEO and majority shareholder of her ship management company MF Shipping Group since 2001. The Dutch-based ship management company now runs a fleet of approximately 60 modern and versatile vessels and employs approximately 1.250 seafarers and 70 office staff employees. In 2017, Karin received an Honorary Doctor of Public Administration Degree of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in recognition of her significant contributions to and impact on the maritime industry through her leadership, motivation and commitment to excellence as well as her active participation in numerous national and international organizations. She also received prestigious awards, among which the  “Industry Leader Award 2019” at the Tanker Shipping & Trade Conference in London and the “Personality of the Year 2019” at the WISTA International General Meeting. In 2021 Karin received the Seatrade Diversity & Equality Award. Besides her core business, MF Shipping Group, she is an independent board member of various other organizations both inside and outside the maritime sector. She also is involved as an investor and mentor for several start- and scale ups. She’s known as a strong advocate for the advancement of the Maritime Industry, Diversity & Inclusivity and developing Mental Health awareness is high on her agenda. Orsel currently serves as Vice Chair of ECSA, Board member (immediate past President) of KVNR, Board Member of ICS, Member of the Executive Committee of INTERTANKO and Chair of ISWAN.

Peter Swift, Chair of Trustees, The Sailors’ Society received the 2023 SAFETY4SEA Leadership Award, sponsored by MacGregor, for his overall contribution to maritime industry as he has demonstrated exceptional leadership in seafarer welfare, piracy and crisis response, maritime knowledge awareness, and the promotion of quality in ships and their management. He is currently Chairman of the Board at Sailor’s Society and has previously served as Head (either as Chairman or CEO) of several significant maritime organizations, including Intertanko, Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme, and a Trustee of ISWAN.

Accepting the award Peter Swift, Chair of Trustees, The Sailors’ Society, said:

Throughout my career I have benefited from, and I’m being extremely grateful, for the assistance of many colleagues and from whom I have learned an awful lot, which I wish to acknowledge today. I am therefore very privileged and grateful to receive this recognition and award. Thank you very much.

Peter Swift is a distinguished figure in the maritime industry with a rich and varied career spanning academia, business, and philanthropy. His unwavering dedication to the betterment of the maritime industry and the welfare of seafarers is a testament to his remarkable career and humanitarian spirit. Peter Swift’s career took a significant turn as he joined Shell in 1975, where he would leave an indelible mark over the next two and a half decades. During his tenure at Shell, Peter held various key positions. In 2001, Peter Swift transitioned to a leadership role at INTERTANKO, where he served as Managing Director until 2010. His extensive industry knowledge and leadership skills were pivotal in shaping the organization’s direction. Peter Swift continued to contribute to the maritime industry and various charitable causes. He served as a Non-Executive Director at Ardmore Shipping Corporation from 2013 to 2020. Additionally, Peter has been a Trustee of the Maritime Industry Foundation/Maritime Knowledge Centre since 2003, a Director and Council Member of the Green Award Foundation since 2003, and the Chairman of the Korean Register of Shipping European Committee since 2009. Peter Swift has been a Trustee of the Sailors’ Society since 2011, assuming the role of Chairman in 2019. He also chaired the Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme (MHRP) from 2011 to 2016 and served as a Trustee for the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) from 2011 to 2020. Today, although still active on several fronts, his principal activities are as a Trustee (Chair) of the Sailors’ Society and a Member of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) ‘s IMO Committee and Representative at the IMO.

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