Crew welfare – pay now or pay later? ...CrewConnect Global conference Nov 5-7, Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Manila

Crew welfare – pay now or pay later?
18/10/2018 https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/crew-welfare-pay-now-or-pay-later/

When it comes to the welfare of your crew do you pay now – with good conditions, facilities and support for seafarers – or pay later – through medical bills, lost working time and mistakes?

That’s a key question that delegates at this year’s Crew Connect Global in Manila will consider. Examining the Return on Investment (ROI) for seafarer wellness, attendees will be asked: “What’s your strategy?”

Seafarer health – both physical and mental – can be adversely impacted by issues such as inadequate staffing levels, fatigue, isolation, job insecurity, poor feedback channels, unconducive work environment, role conflict and ambiguity, and interpersonal relationship problems in the workplace. The conference will scrutinise the requirements of today’s seafarers and consider whether the conversation needs to change from seafarer welfare to an encompassing ‘wellness strategy’ in order to improve quality both for seafarers and for the operation of the vessel, maximising financial returns.

Leading this debate will be Dennis Svane Hansen, Vice President and Head of Global Manning for BW Fleet Management; Gisa Paredes, Therapist at Wellness Industry Conceptualized Health & Wellbeing; Allan Falkenberg, Group Managing Director of Crew Management at V.Group; and Adrian Stray, President at Marine Benefits.

CrewConnect Global conference takes place from November 5 to 7 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Manila, Philippines. This 20th anniversary running of the conference will also imagine the seafarer of the future, questioning what skills will they have and what roles they will occupy?

Industry heavyweights, including Andreas Nordseth, Director General of the Danish Maritime Authority, and Alexander Avanth, Director of Business Innovation at PTC Holdings, will paint a picture of the ‘seafarer of the future’ in terms of skills, abilities and competencies, and also provide a fresh perspective on education and training.

What does a digitally enhanced seafaring profession look like, and how do we reinvent the seafarer’s career for the future, attendees will be asked. Support for future seafarers will be investigated as the conference considers how best to reform the cadetship system to ensure sea-time for those embarking on their careers.
Delegates will be treated to a fascinating industry retrospective as Esben Poulsson Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and President of the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) recollects his 20-year career, aiming to inspire others to take to a life at sea.

Gender politics will come into focus as the conference considers diversity in shipping, examining the roles women are currently filling in the modern maritime sector and questioning how is the advent of technology, data analytics and the Internet of Things likely to change the employment of women onboard and at shore.

Speakers in this session include Imelda Barcelona, CEO and President of Agile Maritime Resources; Magali Bertolucci, Director of Crew Development & Strategy at MSC Cruises; Karen Walthan, Managing Director, HR Consulting at Spinnaker Global; Angie Hartmann, Executive Vice President – crew affairs at Starbulk SA; Joanna Sawh, crewing manager at K-Line Ing Shipping; Karen Avelino, Executive Director of Business Development with Philippine Transmarine Carriers Inc.

Joanna Crisan, Senior Conference Producer, said: “Over the past 20 years, CrewConnect Global has become the world’s largest and most influential event for the crewing industry, providing a gateway to solutions for recruitment, training, connectivity and welfare for seafarers in the digital age. With more than 600 attendees gathering annually from over 40 maritime nations, it is a truly global event.”

Following a successful launch last year, the CruiseConnect Summit will take place on 5 November and feature key industry professionals who will give delegates valuable insight into the most challenging issues for an industry that’s still experiencing accelerated growth.

To celebrate the talent and dedication in the industry, the CrewConnect Global Awards will be presented for the first time to some truly remarkable nominees during the dinner on 7 November.
Source: CrewConnect Global