- The ship management industry faces challenges in fostering collaboration for green shipping initiatives.
- While customers, such as carriers, have demonstrated a higher level of cooperation, ship management companies, characterized by major players and numerous stakeholders, have been more focused on intense competition than collaborative efforts for the common good.
OSM Thome’s Call for Cooperation
In an interview with ShippingWatch, Simona Toma, Managing Director at OSM Thome in Singapore, emphasizes the need for increased collaboration among ship management companies. OSM Thome, a result of a 2023 merger and now part of the global Top Five ship managers, aims to streamline operations for efficiency and cost reduction.
Areas for Collaboration
Simona Toma identifies several areas where collaboration can be beneficial, including sharing lessons learned, experiences, and trials, as well as collaborating on strategic projects to enhance workforce safety. The green transition, influenced by greenhouse gas emission rules from organizations like the IMO and EU, is a crucial area where joint efforts can make a significant impact.
Green Transition and New Skills
The industry is grappling with the green transition, requiring mastery of new skills in both technical and crew management. Initiatives exploring the shift to new fuels and building competencies for the future could be avenues for collaboration. Challenges such as the Carbon Intensity Index (CII), Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI), and the Emissions Trading System (ETS) add complexity.
Balancing Collaboration and Competition
Finding a balance between collaboration and healthy competition is acknowledged as a complex task by Simona Toma. While certain business areas, such as vessel pools and seafarers’ skills, are fundamental and may not be part of collaborative arrangements, the ship management industry sees the potential to contribute significantly to the green transition through effective collaboration.
Impact of Pandemic Realization
The realization during the pandemic that the industry is more effective when working together serves as a catalyst for initiating dialogues and joint initiatives. Key challenges like CII, EEXI, and ETS underscore the shared interests in navigating the evolving regulatory landscape.
Retraining Seafarers and Industry Innovation
The necessary retraining of seafarers to adapt to the green transition and handle new fuels poses a challenge. Simona Toma acknowledges the difficulty in operating vessels with diverse propulsion methods. While certain aspects remain areas of healthy competition, collaborative efforts are seen as essential for making significant contributions to the industry’s sustainability.
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Source: OSM Thome
