Page 28 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΜΑΙΟΣ 2023

agenda: driving efficiency and improving oper- to develop new contracts as the industry’s needs
ations are important examples of the currently change and to review and update existing con-
available ready-to-go solutions that can help cut tracts.
our GHG emissions without delay. The Blue Visby
Solution, which BIMCO supports, challenging the ã What initiatives should the shipping
“sail fast then wait” approach and moving towards industry undertake for the reskilling/
Just-In-Time arrivals, are prime examples of solu- upskilling of young talent as the indus-
tions we as an industry can adopt and support try moves onward towards a greener
right now. Such initiatives also demonstrate to and more digital era?
the world outside of shipping that we are commit- Our industry is facing increased demand for the
ted to reducing our carbon footprint and taking diverse skills needed for a more sustainable and
already important steps towards decarbonising. digitally-connected future. Challenges include
updating skills in areas such as alternative fuels
â Charterers have openly expressed their and propulsion systems, circularity, leadership, a
opposition to the ΒΙΜCO CII clause. safe working environment, and seafarer welfare.
What are your thoughts on that? How The Seafarer Workforce Report published by
has the clause impacted the business BIMCO and the ICS in July last year warned
relations between ship owners and that we must significantly increase training and
charterers? recruitment levels if we are to avoid severe short-
When we published the CII Operations Clause ages in the total supply of officers by 2026. The
for Time Charter Parties at the end of last year, report indicated that demand for seafarers in
the regulation had yet to come into force. The 2021 had outpaced supply and predicted a need
clause serves as a starting point for negotiations for an additional 89,510 officers by 2026 to oper-
for owners and charters who have different roles ate the world merchant fleet. It is crucial that we
but must nonetheless share the task of reducing find solutions now, together with governments of
our industry’s carbon emissions. This task requires seafaring nations.
both parties to be committed and collaborate, There is a decline in the number of young people
and I believe both parties are working to do that. aiming for a career at sea, spending many months
As with all new regulations, the industry needs away from their families. Companies could look
some time to adapt, and the CII regulation is par- at options offering shorter contract periods for
ticularly challenging as many questions still need younger seafarers, better digital connectivity, and
addressing. better access to shore leaves, which would be
Our industry will no doubt be facing more regu- in cooperation with port authorities. In addition,
lations from the IMO and the EU, and the need training could be further developed to be more
for new contracts and clauses will continue to “hands-on” and include the latest technologies,
develop along with it. We will therefore continue such as simulators and Virtual Reality, although

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