COMMENT BY WILLIAM A. O’NEIL, CMG CM FREng.
Former Secretary General of International Maritime Organization, President Videotel Marine International

Shipping is the most international industry in the world and is a vital component of world trade and development. Without ships, there would be no viable alternative means by which to move many cargoes world wide.

However, that world has become a different place, a more dangerous place, and one in which training, education and continual professional development play an increasingly important part. That is certainly the case in shipping, where the introduction of legislation and the roles played by Governments requires a better understanding by all those involved in the industry. Ships, seafarers, ports and all the associated components are facing increased challenges and need to be aware of current developments so that they can manage their benefits, risk and exposure effectively and efficiently. Specific new training developments, many in association with IMO, of interactive, computer-based training courses are designed to provide a complete training package. They are a fundamental element of the overall drive to improve safety awareness in shipping and have the backing of many organisations including the UK Department of Transport and are also endorsed by leading ship operators and liability underwriters.

It has been said that complacency kills. At sea, there is no room for complacency. Lives, and livelihoods, depend on attention to detail. The introduction of the ISPS Code has, predictably, not been without its problems. Those who are charged with ensuring that ISPS requirements are met know how difficult a job it is, both practically and administratively, but also know how important it is to the basic quality of life for seafarers.

All ships need competent crews, but this is especially true with respect to specialist ships such as gas and chemical carriers. The industry must work harder to attract and keep the quality people it needs while recognising that there are now more extraneous factors than ever before which could impact against a substantial growth in the core, seafaring workforce. The continued increase in national, regional and international laws and regulations affecting shipping and seafarers threatens to render shipping a less attractive vocation than at any time in the history of the industry. It is most important, therefore, that every effort should be put into ensuring that the quality of life for today’s seafarers is not inadvertently, and unnecessarily worsened in pursuit of making the maritime environment a safer place in which to operate. This is not what people go to sea for. Nor will it ever be. The industry must demonstrate that while embracing the new security culture demanded of it, the essential nature of seafaring which has traditionally made it such an attractive vocation for so many people over hundreds of years must be retained. The first step towards achieving that objective is to ensure that all seafarers are aware of their responsibilities, and are properly educated and trained in all aspects of their duties and responsibilities.

Too often, in the past, we have seen and heard instances of accidents and casualties at sea which have their root cause in human error. We can never eliminate that entirely. But shipping has to acknowledge that improvements can be achieved if proper training and education are provided. In today’s comparatively buoyant industry, it is an investment that shipping interests can afford to make. In wider terms - whether in respect of security, safety, or pure commercial efficiency - it is an investment which you simply cannot afford not to make.

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