UK Chamber President calls on government to do more to support maritime sector
Dr Grahaeme Henderson, President of the UK Chamber of Shipping has called on government, in Scotland and in Whitehall to provide further support to the UK maritime sector to ensure that jobs and businesses are able to face the challenges presented by current market conditions.
In a keynote speech to industry leaders and Scottish government representatives at the UK Chamber's inaugural Summer Lunch in Edinburgh, Dr Henderson said;
"The Scottish maritime industry contributes nearly £2 billion to the economy, and the productivity of the maritime workforce is 10% higher than the economy-wide average.
"However, we must be clear and honest as to the challenges the industry faces. Global market conditions have had a significant impact on jobs in the offshore sector - a sector that has helped drive prosperity, not just in Scotland but across the UK too.
"The industry has always had its ups and downs, but there is justifiable concern that the numbers of British seafarers based in Aberdeen and elsewhere are in decline.
"The skills required to work in the offshore sector are highly specialised, but with the right support they can be transferred into other areas of shipping; and government must act to provide support and funding to help seafarers re-skill and get back to sea."
Dr Henderson also added;
"Scotland is the home of world class maritime training facilities, which demonstrate the ambitions for its students, for the shipping industry, for its national economy, and its standing as a maritime world leader.
"The UK Government’s £15 million SMarT funding has helped to ensure that a new generation can go to sea. However we face international competition for seafarer training, often from countries who can do it far cheaper than we can.
"The UK Chamber is therefore calling on government to implement a SMarT Plus option and increase funding to incentivise companies to train more seafarers - who in return will commit to giving cadets their first job, ensuring the government sees a return on its investment."
Scotland's Minister for Transport and the Islands Mr Humza Yousaf MSP, who took up the position following the election in May, commented;
"The Scottish Government and the shipping industry can work together to increase efforts to promote the positive contribution the shipping sector makes to the wider economy - as a renowned centre of excellence in the shipping industry, Scotland is a great place to do business, and we should publicise that throughout Europe and beyond.
"The maritime sector is an absolutely crucial part of sustaining and creating new quality jobs in Scotland. Building on these partnerships and collaboration will help ensure maritime growth."
The UK Chamber's Inaugural Summer Lunch at Mansfield Traquair on 8th June was attended by over 150 industry leaders, Scottish Ministers and MSPs and key stakeholders. Humza Yousaf MSP, Minister for Transport and the Islands delivered a keynote address in addition to Dr Grahaeme Henderson, President, UK Chamber of Shipping.
The Summer Lunch was kindly sponsored by our Gold Sponsor Clyde Training Solutions, Champagne Reception Sponsor HBJ Gateley and silver sponsor Stena.
Source: UK Chamber of ShippingPosted On:10-Jun-2016
Credits: www.hellenicshippingnews.com |
1ST Young Executives Shipping Forum at Posidonia: Say YES to Shipping
We have the pleasure to announce the organization of the 1st Young Executives Shipping Forum (YES Forum) which will be held on Friday 10th June 2016 from 12.00 to 17.00 hrs during POSIDONIA 2016 at POSIDONIA Conference Hall, Metropolitan Expo.
It is the first time that a Forum for young people is being held under the Auspices of the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, the General Secretariat for Lifelong Learning of the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs and 4 Universities - University of Piraeus, University of Aegean, National & Technical University of Athens, the Athens University of Economics and Business and the European Law Students Association (ELSA Athens).
The 1st Young Executives Shipping Forum aims to serve as a forum of an open dialogue between students from Shipping studies and not only as well as to Shipping Industry principals and executives of the age 20-30 years old, enabling them to meet with the Decision Makers of the Shipping Community, exchanging views and understanding the philosophy and history of shipping with combination of the mentoring Program.
The participation in the YES Forum is free of charge and requires online registration through the YES Forum website www.yes-forum.com .
The Delegates will have the opportunity to submit questions towards the panellists through our website and through an application, before and during the YES Forum. The Panel moderators will make sure that all the questions are answered and an open dialogue will take place in Greek, apart from the session of Mrs. Violeta Bulc, European Commissioner for Mobility and Transport, which will be held in English. After her speech the Commissioner will reply to questions addressed by the participants.
The moderators of the Forum will be: Dr. Eleni Thanopoulou, Head of Department of Shipping, Trade and Transport, UNIVERSITY OF THE AEGEAN, Mrs. Fani Sakellariadou, Head of Department of Maritime Studies, UNIVERSITY OF PIRAEUS and Mr. George Xiradakis, Managing Director of XRTC BUSINESS CONSULTANTS LTD. and President of THE PROPELLER CLUB (PORT OF PIRAEUS).
The Speakers who will honor us with their Participation are:
Ioanna Procopiou - Managing Director, SEA TRADERS S.A., Michael Fostiropoulos - Director ALMI TANKERS S.A., Charalampos Simantonis - President, HELLENIC SHORTSEA SHIPOWNERS ASSOCIATION, Panos Vafias - Financial Manager, BRAVE MARITIME, Eirini Logotheti -Assistant Operations Manager, KARLOG SHIPPING, Evagelos Chatzis - CFO, DANAOS CORP., Jerry Kalogiratos - CEO & CFO, CAPITAL PRODUCT PARTNERS L.P./CFO, CAPITAL MARITIME & TRADING CORP., Capt. Tassos Kampas - Chief Operating Officer / DPA / HSQE / Vetting Manager, SEAVEN MANAGEMENT, Dimitris E. Patrikios - General Manager, SPRINGFIELD SHIPPING CO. PANAMA S.A., George Skrimizeas - General Manager, ALLSEAS MARINE S.A., Angie Hartmann - Crew Manager, STARBULK S.A., Manolis Atsipapas - DPA, SUPER ECO BULKERS MANAGEMENT, Dr. Panos Kapetanakis - Maritime Historian & Editorial Advisor, NAFTIKA CHRONIKA MAGAZINE, Athena Kanellatou - Managing Director, MACGREGOR GREECE, Maria Bertzeletou - Research Τeam Leader, IFCHOR GROUP, Georgios Teriakidis - Regional Business Development Manager, DNV GL MARITIME, Eva Tzima - Head of Research and Valuations Department, INTERMODAL SHIPBROKERS.
During the Forum the interested participants will have the opportunity to register either as Mentor or Mentee. A number of Mentor-Mentee sessions will take place before the 2nd Young Executives Shipping Forum in June 2017, where the results of these mentoring sessions will be presented.
We strongly believe that Posidonia 2016 is the most appropriate event for such initiative and we hope that even more people will be motivated to support our vision and our efforts in the future.
Until today, more than 200 Shipping Companies and students from approximately 30 Greek and International Universities have already confirmed their attendance including the ones from the Maritime Academies of Aspropyrgos, Hydra Island, Macedonia and Crete.
Additionally, we would like to thank our valuable Sponsors: POSIDONIA EXHIBITIONS SA, EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN MARITIME LIMITED, LATSCO, LIBRA GROUP, POLEMBROS SHIPPING LTD, SUPER ECO BULKERS MANAGEMENT, SUPER ECO TANKERS MANAGEMENT, ERMA FIRST, DNV GL, ANTIPOLLUTION, INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED SHIPBROKERS - GREEK BRANCH, ARKAS HELLAS S.A. SHIPPING AGENCY, MACGREGOR, ARIA, CONFERIENCE.
Changing the perception of the young generation about a career in shipping, both ashore and at sea, could also improve our very high rates of unemployment. We all understand that it is time to turn the crisis into opportunity for Greece and continue the long-lasting Greek Shipping history.
For additional information on the 1st YOUNG EXECUTIVES SHIPPING FORUM, please contact Danae Bezantakou, Managing Director, NAVIGATOR SHIPPING CONSULTANS LTD. or Katerina Stathopoulou, Executive Director, INVESTMENTS & FINANCE LTD., at +30 210 6232 106, +30 6945590030, Email: info@yes-forum.com . Website: www.yes-forum.com
Source: YES ForumPosted On:10-Jun-2016
Credits: www.hellenicshippingnews.com |
