Page 19 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - MARTIOS 2023

COLLECTIVE REPRESENTATION

The International Chamber of Shipping chairman has always expressed his views openly at
international fora, highlighting the critical challenges facing the shipping industry.
In this interview with Naftika Chronika, Mr Grimaldi discusses the vital role of sea-
farers in the supply chains. He also expresses his concern about the worldwide shortage
of seafarers, talks about the ICS’s proposals on the decarbonisation of shipping, and
speaks candidly about his investments in Greece.

SEAFARERS:

THE UNSUNG

HEROES

Emanuele Grimaldi’s Ö What are your top priorities as ICS became available, making it possible for the rest
interview with Chairman? of us to stay at home. Even though they kept the
Giannis Theodoropoulos The top priority for ICS is the safety and welfare global economy going during that period, they
and Manos Charitos
of seafarers. These critical challenges have inten- were treated harshly and denied hospitalisation
sified in recent years due to the pandemic and the and visas. They could not get back home because
war in Ukraine. Crews from Russia and Ukraine there were no flights, and some were trapped on
comprise 14% of the world’s seafarers. At the same vessels for more than one year.
time, shipping is facing a deficit of 300,000 sea- The pandemic made us realise just how criti-
farers. In addition, a recent EMSA audit found cal their contribution to the global economy is.
that the certifications of a vast number of Filipino Now, we must ensure that their contribution is
seafarers do not comply with STCW requirements. recognised worldwide. Designating seafarers as
That development will create a major problem for key workers is of utmost importance. Otherwise,
the Philippines as it is the country that provides people will stop pursuing careers at sea.
the highest number of seafarers worldwide. As a
matter of fact, the Philippines president Marcos á How realistic is the goal of decar-
came to Europe and met with the Commission bonising shipping, and what do you
in an effort to improve the training standards of think are the prerequisites towards
Filipino seafarers. ICS is part of the 'International this direction?
Advisory Committee Global on Global Maritime Decarbonisation is another key issue we need to
Affairs' created to address the major maritime tackle. The Secretary General of the International
issues impacting Filipino seafarers and is actively Chamber of Shipping (ICS) said today (9 Febru-
working to improve this situation. ary, Ed.) that we are in totally new territory with
Supporting seafarers around the globe must be a advancements in technology, fuels, and engines,
priority. The challenges they faced in the last few which provide several alternatives, some of them
years are unprecedented. They are the heroes who suitable for smaller vessels. Ammonia, hydrogen,
supported the global economy during the harsh nuclear, and carbon capture and storage tech-
pandemic years, delivering goods and everything nologies are some of them. So there are plenty of
needed during the worst period before vaccines options available, some of them brown and some

18 19