The 5th Capital Link Shipping & Offshore CSR Forum in London
Now, what an event that was earlier today! It wasn’t just the showcasing of the Best Industry practices leading to the operational excellence on shipping and all that surrounding CSR’s competitive advantage; it was more than that! It wasn’t the honouring of Nikolas P. Tsakos who made all stakeholders admire his success when he received the Maritime CSR 2015 Leadership Award! It was the very open debate and the participation of many from all sectors in the industry with questions, statements and positions, and had there was more time allocated in the Q&A’s of all sessions, it was going to be the best ever event of Shipping in the Square Mile!
Nicolas Bornozis and his team made the impossible to have senior executives from 23 shipping and offshore companies, as well as charterers and financiers to discuss how the implementation of Best Industry Practices translates into tangible commercial, operational and financial competitive advantages. The Forum explored the best Industry Practices across several areas such as fleet management, technological innovation – Dr. Abdul Rahim from ClassNK unique presentation, crewing, energy efficiency and the environment – a difficult task, but successfully performed by BV’s Dr. John Kokarakis for chairing same, safety & security – tough times for Richard Meade of Lloyd’s List but well “confronted”. It also discussed the demand for Best Industry Practices by charterers and the response and initiatives by shipping and offshore companies.
All the above issues took place in the presence of dozens of shipping people from all over Planet Ocean, including Rt.Radm (HCG) Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, Secretary-General Emeritus of the IMO, the Cypriot Shipping Minister Marios Demitriades, the Chairman of the GSCC Harry J. Fafalios – who also participated in the first panel, and more importantly from students!
Very touching for Professor Costas Th. Grammenos to present the Award to one of his most successful ever university students, very touching for the members of his companies present at the ceremony, the members of Intertanko that he currently chairs, the Greeks present and in particular those who also emanate from the Island of Chios, as well as the message he has passed for all intents and purposes!
We will update you on the deliberations of this event and upload the speeches of the speakers when same are available. Dr. Aleka Mandaraka-Sheppard, Dr. Nicolas Mikelis, Hans Christian Jensen, Bridget Hogan, Milton Gonzales and George A. Tsavliris where amongst those who made their presence felt vis-à-vis their questions and statements.
A down to earth George D. Gordomichalis with his charismatic speaking flair and David Scott from Lloyd’s Register also contributed to the event.
Despite being a man’s arena, women too had their say; Kate Willoughby from DP World delivered an excellent speech on supporting a global approach to community investment and measuring; Dee Taylor from Liskow and Lewis a great contributor in the first panel; the moderator from panel six, Maria Bruun Skipper from the Danish Shipowners Association. Even the absence of Angie Hartmann from Starbulk SA and WISTA-Hellas president due to a sudden bad cold, was discussed! Worth mentioning the many women present from all sectors and for the first time comprising the 25 centum of the participants/delegates in such a forum!
A great networking event in all three occasions – morning coffee break, luncheon and cocktail reception which lasted more in comparison with other Capital Link events; excellent!
Lastly, many congratulations to all the sponsors, supporters, partners and devotees who made possibe this event, needless to say a big thank you to all at Capital Link in presenting such an excellent programme with specialist themes, international speakers and participants.
We were very fortunate to interview live* Nicolas Bornozis at the end of a very special day for him which despite… the drillings, created the drill-issue** message for all on the CSR; log on herebelow to listen what he says:
* Video by Anny J. Zade
**Drill; one of the most important safety matters in shipping, onboard, ashore and …offshore. A successful drilling saves lives!!!!