The Wakashio oil spill in Mauritius – what happened and lessons learnt
The MV Wakashio left China on 14 July, heading for Brazil. The vessel, owned by Nagashiki Shipping and operated by Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd, hit a coral reef, Pointe d’Esny, Mauritius on 25 July, 2020.
What is significant about this incident is that the vessel was carrying 4,000 tonnes of heavy oil, lubricants and diesel, a large amount of which was pumped out but a significant amount still entered into the Indian Ocean.
Here is an overview of what happened, the clean up measures and lessons learnt from this maritime disaster..
Are our seafarers happy? The Seafarers Happiness Index explains
– Seafarers are the backbone of the maritime industry
– Seafarers are the frontline warriors of global trade
– Seafarers are essential to shipping, essential to the world
These are some of the quotes that have been echoed by various people, organisations and companies around the world across the last few years and especially now due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
But are the seafarers really happy, content and do they feel valued?
Make your supply chains efficient and responsive during and after COVID-19
The sheer magnitude and unpredictable nature of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 has put even the best, most established businesses on shaky ground.
All the best laid plans have had to be revisited and brought back to the drawing board. Businesses have had to adopt a ‘reactive’ approach and go into fire-fighting mode to stay afloat.
There have been questions like “How can supply chain performance be improved in order to ensure that it is responsive and efficient in meeting the needs of final consumers during the pandemic“.
So, what are the lessons that have been learnt? Are we wiser from our experience of this kind of disruption and can we use these learnings to make our supply chains more resilient?
Suicides, assaults and pleas for help as crew change crisis worsens
It is alarming when news of suicide attempts, violence and desperation becomes commonplace.
This is, unfortunately, the state of affairs today with seafarers who are tired, on the brink of mental breakdowns (some have already gone over) and very desperate – this desperation is manifesting through various incidents.
Priyanka Ann Saini covers some of these points in this article.
India contemplates National Logistics Law to boost logistics sector
With a view to promoting the growth of the logistics sector in India, the commerce ministry is considering replacing the multimodal transportation of goods act with a full-fledged national logistics law.
The announcement was made during a webinar organised by industry chamber PHDCCI .
This move comes in the background of the fragmented nature of the sector, which has been an area of concern for a long time.
A Press Release dated July 4th stated, “Digitization of Logistic Sector will help bring efficiency and realize the vision of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India).”
Seafarers as Key Workers, but more importantly, Human Beings
On International Day of the Seafarer, while it is imperative to designate seafarers as key workers, it is equally, if not more important, to recognise them as human beings with real needs.
Here is a touching tribute to the trials and tribulations that the seafarers go through on a day to day basis..
Seafarers say enough is enough – ready to down tools
If getting seafarers off these ships causes chaos in supply chains, if ports back up from Singapore to San Francisco, and if this causes ship insurance providers to pull their coverage and global trade to grind to a halt; then that is on the heads of politicians, not the world’s seafarers.
This is the message from Steve Cotton General Secretary of ITF reiterating that Seafarers have done their part in this COVID-19 pandemic, and plenty more. Enough is enough, it is time to go home now.
Protocols for safe crew change and travel during COVID-19 released
We have read many articles, extolling the virtues of Seafarers who are considered the backbone of the shipping industry and how they are important to the industry etc etc.
However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, these Seafarers are facing significant challenges with extended service on board, unable to go ashore for a bit of fresh air after many months at sea, unable to be relieved of their duties and go home to be with their loved ones etc.
This is despite international maritime compliance regulations which require Seafarers to be changed on a regular basis from ships they work in to ensure safety, crew health, welfare, and the prevention of fatigue.
There have been calls from many quarters for appropriate action to be taken to address these issues faced by Seafarers.
It seems that these calls may have been heard.
Digitalising your shipping ecosystem – Executive Insights – Sri Himakuntala
Executive Insights is a series by Shipping and Freight Resource that provides ongoing insights and thoughtful analysis enriching the knowledge of the readers with what is happening in the shipping, freight, maritime, logistics, and supply chain industry..
Executive Insights is also a chance to pick the brains of industry veterans, leaders, and enablers..
In this edition of Executive Insights, we caught up with Sri Himakuntala, President & Chief Executive Officer of Intellect Technologies about digitalising the shipping ecosystem..