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The Malaysian Shipowners
Association has expressed the need for the local
industry to prepare itself for the vast and
dramatic changes taking place in the shipping
regimes.
The Association chairman, Ir Nordin Mat Yusoff
said the industry faces tremendous challenge in
the changing operating environment.
“The fluidity or volatility of the bunker fuel
market, shortage of onboard crew and onshore
management expertise, rising operating/manning
costs are some of the profound challenges that
we are expected to face and cope with,” he said
in the latest issue of the Association’s
publication, ShipMonitor.
He said the demand for quality shipping is
expected to intensify in line with the rigourous
regimes that are being introduced.
Nordin felt a major outcome of the demand for
quality shipping is greater focus on training of
seafarers at all levels.
“In this regard, I would like the shipping
community at large to serious consider the need
to employ modern concepts and application
systems in training of seamen,” he said.
Nordin wanted the use of electronic simulators
be incorporated as part of training syllabus to
give those who are required to handle/navigate
ships a wider range of skills.
“This will also help shorten the learning curve
of the masters which now on account of the need
to fulfill specific sailing hours take a very
long time to qualify as full-fledge masters,” he
added.
MASA, he said would work together with the
Malaysian Marine Department and bring it to the
attention of the International Maritime
Organisation to look into incorporating
simulator training for seafarers.
The MASA chairman noted that developments in
global trade are increasing influenced by
geopolitical factors and these factors impact on
the nature and character of demand for shipping
services.
“We as shipowners must not only keep a close
watch on these developments but even perhaps
anticipate it,” he urged.
“Trade lanes, for instance are changing because
of geopolitical factors and this will influence
the demand for shipping,” he said.
Nordin also noted that the key functionalities
of transporting cargo from point to another is
changing to cover the entire transportation
pipeline, what has come to be known as the
logistics supply chain management. Shipping
lines are getting vertically and horizontally
integrated. |
