Lloyd’s Register’s (LR) Hellenic Advisory Committee met in Piraeus last week to discuss key industry issues with Lloyd’s Register’s senior management. Richard Sadler, CEO of Lloyd’s Register, said the industry needs a shared voice to be better represented at international level.
Sadler said: "It’s been said before that the industry needs one voice to stand up for shipping. This is a very high priority, what I am saying is not new and it’s not going to be easy, but we need to make this happen. Our vital industry needs to better protect and promote itself against repeated reactive, and increasingly regional, governance while still encouraging the innovation that we need."
Key Challenges
Following opening remarks by LR’s Chairman, David Moorhouse, the committee of leading Greek shipowners shared views on the current key challenges facing the industry. In a session led by LR’s Marine Director, Tom Boardley, and Apostolos Poulovassilis, Regional Marine Manager, Europe, Middle East and Africa, the environment and areas where the LR Group is supporting owners in facing the challenge of new regulations, such as the forthcoming ballast water convention, were at the top of the list.
Update on Newbuilding Developments
Luis Benito, the Group’s Marine Manager, Korea, provided an update on newbuilding developments and technology. Korean shipyards he said were making a big play on quality, technology and rapid turn-around time using in-house design teams. While Capt. Tony Field, the Group’s Marine Business Manager, SE Europe, updated members on the human element in shipping and urged the committee to further support the training of Greek and EU seafarers to provide the industry with necessary trained expertise. The Group is able to provide training and support to help with seafarer and management training and now has leading human element expertise relevant to design and operations in shipping.
2500th Anniversary of the Athens Classic Marathon
Connecting Greek shipping and culture, Apostolos Poulovassilis announced that LR’s support for the 2500th anniversary of the Athens Classic Marathon will raise funds for the Greek Merchant Marine Academies. Richard Sadler, CEO Lloyd’s Register will run the marathon with Group employees from several offices around the world.
Seafarers of the Future
The Committee’s Chairman, Capt. Panagiotis Tsakos, concluded the meeting talking about the importance of investing in the seafarers of the future, and the potential for young people, saying, ‘At a time of crisis, perhaps there are now some opportunities. There are fewer Greeks going to sea today – with fewer seafarers our technical and management skills will decline. At a time when the economic situation is so uncertain, the potential of careers at sea could be welcomed by the young today. Greece is a world leader in shipping and I hope that it can remain at the forefront of our vital industry. The next Committee meeting will be held in November. Picture: Left to right: Lloyd’s Register – Marine Director, Tom Boardley; , and Apostolos Poulovassilis, Regional Marine Manager, Europe Middle East and Africa; Hellenic Committee Chairman, Captain Panagiotis Tsakos.