World's biggest manning conference opens

World's biggest manning conference opens
Yashika F. Torib November 12, 2024 https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/11/12/news/national/worlds-biggest-mann...

CREW Connect Global, the world's biggest seafaring conference, begins today in Metro Manila with hundreds of local and international crewing experts and professionals to discuss key trends impacting the global manning industry.

This year's Crew Connect Global is hosted by Seatrade Maritime at the Shangri-La The Fort, Taguig City, on Nov. 12-14.

The conference brings together the leaders and stakeholders of the manning industry.

Crew Connect Global 2024 will also bring suppliers from around the world to provide participants with a comprehensive selection of recruitment, training, wellbeing, technology, satellite, and onboard management solutions.

It is supported by maritime industry giants and prominent shipping brands such as Mintra, OSM Thome and Ocean Technologies Group, in addition to startups such as The Hood. Other established names like big yellowfish, Marine Benefits, Maersk Training, InterPort Crew Services and C Teleport have confirmed their participation in the Supplier Showcase, which will connect delegates with suppliers of recruitment, health and wellbeing, training, safety, and communication products and services.

The conference will be co-located with Seatrade Cruise Asia.

Attendees can expect to meet over 60 world-class suppliers and enjoy numerous organized networking events.

The Crew Connect Global Awards will also be held on Nov. 14 during the gala dinner.

Since 1999, Crew Connect Global has been renowned as the maritime's leading event for those involved in recruiting, managing, training and supporting seafarers.

The Philippines has been continuously hosting it, a testimony of the country's significance and status as the seafaring capital of the world.

It is organized by Informa Markets, a British group that creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow.

The Manila Times is among the major media partners of the Seatrade Maritime Crew Connect Global conference.

Speakers from the Philippines include Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Administrator Sonia Malaluan, PTC Group President and Filipino Shipowners Association Vice President Gerardo Borromeo, Magsaysay Maritime Corp. President Doris Magsaysay-Ho, and OSM Thome President Mailyn Borillo.

Leaders in the global maritime industry will also discuss the latest trends. They include International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Secretary General Guy Platten, Intertanko Managing Director Katharina Stanzel, International Maritime Employers Council (IMEC) Chairman Capt. Belal Ahmed, Bimco Manager for Maritime Safety and Security Capt. Ashok Srinivasan, and International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network (Iswan) Chief Executive Simon Grainge.

Other industry experts will also share recent developments and innovations, such as representatives from Ocean Technologies Group (OTG), SmartSea, Warstila Voyage, Mintra, Mission to Seafarers, The Nautical Institute, Lloyd's Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub, and Det Norske Veritas (DNV). Justyna Bartnicka, policy officer from the European Commission, will likewise present.

A lineup of maritime movers and shakers were identified as finalists for six industry categories, each focusing on specific elements of improving the lives and careers of seafarers.

The finalists are 1) Innovation and Adoption of Technology Award: 90POE, OSM Thome, Bigyellowfish Technologies, Bound4blue and MarinePALS; 2) Environmental Champion Award: V.ERDE and Berge Bulk; 3) Health and Wellbeing at Sea Award: IMEQ Center, 88 Aces, BW Group, Maritime and Healthcare Group, and MedSea; 4) Industry Partner Award: Ocean Technologies Group, OSM Thome, Philcamsat, Onboard Maritime, and V.Care; and 5) Training and Safety at Sea Award: Blue Orange Wave, Philcamsat, Berge Bulk, Vikand, and MarinePALS.

Four Filipinos made it to the finalists for the Seafarer of the Year Award. Informa Markets, organizer of Seatrade Maritime Crew Connect Global, announced the shortlist of finalists, which includes Capt. Ruben Magallanes, 2/O Abigal Chin-Sood, 3/O Majella Angelie Albances, and 3/E Ian John Obapial. The fifth finalist is Iranian 2/E Mahdi Pakzad.

"The judging panel had a tough task — the entries were all excellent — but through a transparent and robust evaluation process, we have found our six winners. While each category was different, each focused on specific elements of improving the lives and careers of seafarers — which is ultimately what these last few days have been about, to bring together the industry for common causes," Chris Morley, group director at Seatrade Maritime and organizer of Seatrade Maritime Crew Connect Global, said.

The finalists were chosen by a panel of international judges: Ben Bailey, director of program, The Mission to Seafarers; Fabrizio Barcellona, maritime coordinator, International Transport Workers' Federation, and executive board member, World Maritime University (WMU); Francesco Gargiulo, chief executive officer, IMEC; Simon Grainge, chief executive, International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network (Iswan); and Andreas Nordseth, director general, Danish Maritime Authority (DMA).

The overall winners will be announced on Nov. 14.