Key topics will include digitisation and how new innovations are keeping seafarers safe and healthy
By
Rebecca Gibson |
CrewConnect Global, one of the world’s largest events for the marine human resources (HR) community, will celebrate its 20th anniversary when it takes place in Manila, Philippines from 5-7 November 2018.
This year, the event will bring together more than 600 crewing industry professionals from across the globe to find solutions for recruiting, training and protecting the welfare of seafarers in the digital age. Attendees will include high-level government representatives, associations, shipowners and crew management trainers.
“I like the idea of connecting with everybody involved,” said John Adams, conference chairman, managing director of Teekay Shipping, and chairman of the Bahamas Shipowners’ Association. “We have a link and a direct line of sight from board rooms to front line operations, to our seafarers, and of course, to our cadets coming into the industry.”
Industry experts and executives from companies like Holland America Group, MSC Cruises and Carnival Maritime (full list here) will speak about the key challenges and opportunities facing the cruise industry when it comes to recruiting and retaining high-quality and skilled employees for both their onshore and shipboard operations. They will also discuss how digital technologies are driving innovations in training methods, business operations and more.
“I am excited to learn more about the digitalisation process within the shipping industry, since this is a hot topic of the moment,” said Magali Bertolucci, director of Crew Development and Strategy at MSC Cruises. “I am also very interested in the mental health of seafarer and what we can do to facilitate this kind of specific care.”
One key topic will be virtual reality, which has been determined as an effective way to carry out seafarer training, competency development and different forms of therapies in several studies. Captain Pradeep Chawla, chairman of global maritime training and education association GlobalMET and managing director of QHSE & Training at Anglo-Eastern Ship Management, will present how VR has helped his seafarers at CrewConnect Global.
Other highlights will include an Operators’ Forum, which will feature Simon Frank, V. Ships’ director of Crew Operations; Alexander Tsitsonis, Starbulk’s crew director; Nico Corbijn, vice president of Crew Management at MSC Cruises; and Guy Platten, secretary general of the International Chamber of Shipping. All four will debate what the greatest challenges for maritime leadership will be over the next 25 years.
CrewConnect Global will also bring together a panel of women to talk about the advent of activism in the maritime industry and discuss how to drive further diversity.
“I profoundly believe in diversity and integration,” said Bertolucci. “Only with better diversity will we reach a complete success, not only for our diverse guests, but also for our people.”
CrewConnect Global will close with a gala dinner and a CrewConnect Industry Awards ceremony.