A Date with Chennai - CEOs' Panel Discussion on "Vision of Shipping"

8th December 2008 was a date with Chennai for the shipping industry giants who had flown down from various parts of the world to participate at the CEOs' panel discussion on "Vision of Shipping" organized by AMET University, the country's first maritime university dedicated towards marine education. The mind blowing discussion organized at Hotel LE Royal Meridian, Chennai was well received by the industry and was moderated by none other than the University's Vice Chancellor Capt. S. Bhardwaj. The discussion was focused on the current economic slowdown and its impact on the shipping sector and the need to utilize the opportunity favoring our economy.

Addressing the gathering Dr. P. Misra, Principal Officer and Joint Director General (Technical), Mercantile Marine Department, Chennai insisted on quality education on marine oriented subjects as he says education brings awareness. He clarified that international organization IMO can make only 15 to 20 percent change over piracy with their rules where it is the prime duty and concern of the administrators to settle this issue of higher sensitivity. Praising over the contributions of the academic institutions in creating such awareness, he insisted that it is the need of the hour to create centre of excellence to update the mariners with knowledge over shipping related areas.

Sharing his views on third party management, Capt. Ib Fruergaurd expressed his agony over the global shortage of manpower, which has ultimately declined the competency level and also has raised the casualty and accidents, creating bad impact to our marine economy and environment. To bridge the gap between the demand and supply, it is our priority to concentrate on quality third party management, at the areas of vessel management, new building and project management, IT solutions etc, he said. Briefing over a business model to overcome the crisis, he insisted on empowered, self-designing and co-creating crews to deliver superior and sustainable performance to the customer. As a shipping company with international presence, Mr. Satoru Kuboshima, President K-Line, Japan ruled out the idea of third party management of the ships considering the safety and security of their clients. He mentioned that with the above principle, his organization has taken back to self maintenance of most of the ships owned by them which was earlier maintained by third parties. Mr. Paulio Biona, representative from Sonangol USA Company, Houston, Texas USA, while mentioning about finding the right people, shared the case study of Angola where he said that they provide all support to the deserving candidates in order to retain them with the service.

Capt. A.K. Bansal, Chairman, CMMI, Chennai strongly criticized the administrators for not falling in line with the maritime laws. "No such laws exist anywhere in the world apart from being in papers" he said. Expressing grievance over the shipping piracy at the international water, he insisted on regional laws at universal norms to bring down such crimes against the mariners.
Capt. G. Ramaswamy, Vice President, Wallem Ship Management (Hong Kong) Chennai, insisted on the budget component of ship management, where he said major expense is on crewing which has to be brought down with the down turn.
Mr. Bjarne Foldager, MD of AP Moller Singapore which is really the world leader and a barometer for the shipping industry outlined the robust fundamentals that a company like Maersk has to weather the downturn with ease.
Mr. K. Chidambaram, President Institute of Marine Engineers (India), Mr. Sudhir Rangnekar - MD and Group CEO of Sical Logistics Limited, Mr. Suresh Amirapu of PSA Sical, Mr. Shankar of India Cements, and various other dignitaries had shared their experience and views on utilizing this crisis as an opportunity to overcome the economical crisis of the nation.
Panelists who also are the members of Amet International Board of Advisors were felicitated by Mr. J. Ramachandran, the Chancellor, with mementos and shawls. This brain storming session which was well received by the audience was concluded with a tasty feast where the industry veterans and others felt it to be a get-together with food for thought and heart.