Page 27 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΜΑΙΟΣ 2023

The BIMCO President refers to the main topics the Round Table focuses on and shares her
views on how the shipping industry can improve its public image. Ms Chao also discusses
the BIMCO CII clause and the initiatives shipping should undertake to reskill/upskill
young talent.

SEAFARERS

AND THEIR SKILLS

ARE CRUCIAL

FOR THE FUTURE

OF SHIPPING

Sabrina Chao, Ö The Chairs of the Round Table met á How can the shipping industry
in discussion with recently in Athens for the first phys- improve its public image?
Giannis Theodoropoulos ical meeting since 2019. What were I believe we can increase our collective efforts
the main topics discussed? to inform the world outside of shipping about
When the Chairs of the Round Table met in all the initiatives and work being done to decar-
Athens in February, the first physical meeting bonise our industry. While some corners of the
since 2019 due to the pandemic, we discussed industry are already raising awareness, there is
and agreed to work together to prioritise sea- potential for more to be done. Some industries
farers. We unanimously agreed to emphasise are further ahead when it comes to commu-
the importance of our seafaring community to nicating their progress, whilst we still have a
prevent the criminalisation of seafarers, learn major task ahead of us to show the rest of the
lessons from the pandemic, and improve the world what we are doing.
attractiveness of seafaring careers to ensure We must continue to remind and inform policy-
the future availability of skilled mariners. Sea- makers, the public, consumers, and financiers
farers and their skills are crucial for the future of the crucial role that shipping plays in all our
of shipping and for a successful transition as we lives. This key message has still not landed con-
work towards decarbonisation. sistently everywhere. We saw examples of this
In addition, we debated members’ positions on during the pandemic when seafarers were not
key industry topics ranging from decarbonisa- granted key worker status by many countries.
tion and ship recycling to eliminating marine We are responsible for transporting about 90
pollution. As Round Table participants, we per cent of world trade. Doing this in an increas-
believe it is crucial that we work together on ingly sustainable manner is crucial, and inform-
issues where a combined effort can achieve ing the world outside shipping about it is very
more than individual efforts. Other current important.
issues requiring member coordination include At BIMCO, we have now launched three films:
piracy, MARPOL Annex VI, greenhouse gas “Ships Make the World Go”, “Seafarers Deserve
emissions from ships, reception facilities, bal- Support”, and “No Turning Back” with the aim
last water management, corruption and more. of raising awareness about our industry and the
challenges we face.
Much is being done on the digitalisation

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