8th SAFETY4SEA Virtual Awards
The winners of this year’s SAFETY4SEA Awards were announced at a special virtual ceremony which took place on Wednesday 18th of October, 2023. The awards focus exclusively on initiatives and individuals who foster Safety Excellence & Sustainable Shipping, following a combination of open nomination and vote from audience and the industry panel of experts.
SAFETY4SEA Dry Bulk Operator Award
Winner
Wallem Group
For investing in human factor. The company employs 7,000 seafarers and has developed a network of training centers that ensures seafarers can perform their jobs to the highest of standards, focusing on continual appraisals, skill-gap analyses, and performance tracking.
Mr. Ioannis Stefanou, Managing Director, Ship Management, Wallem Group:
This recognition is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire team. It is a sterility commitment to safety and operational excellence that has been rewarded here. In an industry with a lot of challenges, we have strived to live with innovation, responsibility, and transparency. Thank you to our clients, partners, and supporters.
SAFETY4SEA Tanker Operator Award
Winner
Eastern Pacific Shipping Pte. Ltd.
For supporting crew welfare. The company has shifted its culture from managing ships to leading people. Supporting this culture shift is the EPS Life at Sea Programme – a robust initiative designed to improve mental and physical wellbeing.
Capt. Nadim Prasad, Fleet Director, EPS Singapore:
We have sifted our culture from managing ships to leading people. For us, crew welfare is a top priority. We established the life at sea program to anise the quality of life onboard. This program is designed to improve the long-term physical and mental well-being of seafarers, to benefits such as improve, cross cultural integration, to stay in touch with love ones etc. Our crew also has 24/7 access to professional mental health services.
SAFETY4SEA Sustainability Award
Winner
Isle of Man Ship Registry
For being a leading flag state, committed to driving sustainability in the maritime sector. IOMSR represents a third of tonnage under the Red Ensign and focuses its sustainability support by adopting four UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mr. Toby Brooks, Deputy Director, IOMSR:
I would like to thank you for the sustainability award. We are proud and delighted to receive this award and to be recognized for the work we have put together as a business. We are finding ways to support investment in green tech and promote sustainability within the maritime sector. This award really gives us the boost to find new ways to promote sustainability and learn more.
SAFETY4SEA Training Award
Winner
International Maritime Employers Council (IMEC)
For ts Philippines Cadet Programme with the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP). Over 1,700 graduates of this program, launched in 2008, are already employed as Deck and Engine Officers in the maritime sector.
Mr. Rob Gale, Head of Training, IMEC:
This award does really speak volumes of our work in the Philippines, to be recognized in this category among some other great training initiatives, with their great training provides. I would like to make a special mention for the IMEC staff in the Philippines and also in the UK, for the work that is done on the background. IMEC works, to ensure that future technologies such as alternative fuels, digitalization, is being covered so the future seafarers are prepared for the transition.
SAFETY4SEA Technology Award
Winner
Survitec
For its ‘SMARR-TI (Safety Management and Rapid Response – Technology Interface)’ monitoring technology for smarter safety management. It integrates fire detection and fire suppression systems within one easy-to-use solution with the aim to give early warnings in case of a fire incident onboard.
Mr. Finn Lende-Harung, Director of Commercial Operations, Survitec:
The thing that makes me particularly proud of the team here at Survitec, is that this is the second year in a row that we are winning this technology award. Thank you for this great recognition. I’m so proud of the entire team that’s brought SMARR-TI to life. This is a good reminder of what we live for every day here at Survitec: to protect lives.
SAFETY4SEA Initiative Award
Winner
Hafnia
For implementing the ‘’Hafnia at Sea Maternity Overview’’ in 2022. This initiative supports female seafarers to repatriate in case of maternity, receive paid maternity leave and related compensation and return to work to continue their maritime career after childbirth.
Mr. Shivas Kapoor, General Manager, Head of Crewing, Hafnia:
Our journey towards achieving gender equality in the maritime sector is a long and challenging one, and it is far from getting over. Maternity leave for our female seafarers is not a given, and we want to change that. This is not a matter of policy or compliance, but it’s only the right that we provide all our seafarers with.
SAFETY4SEA Personality Award
Winner
Mrs. Karin Orsel
For her significant efforts to improve Diversity & Inclusivity within the maritime industry, while placing a strong priority on raising awareness of mental health issues. Orsel currently serves as Vice Chair of ECSA, Board Member of the Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners, Board Member of ICS, Member of the ExCo of INTERTANKO, Trustee of ISWAN, on the Board of Directors of BIMCO and as Ambassador for WISTA International.
Mrs. Karin Orsel, CEO, MF Shipping Group:
Without cooperations and involvement you cannot make steps, because the industry partners need the government, rules and regulations and vice versa. Only by doing things together we can make a change. Therefore, I think I really need to thank not only the organizations, but also the core people. The core people for me are seafarers and the people in the office. Not only at my office and our seafarers, but globally, because they make the difference.
SAFETY4SEA Leadership Award
Winner
Mr. Peter Swift
For his overall contribution to maritime industry as he has demonstrated exceptional leadership in seafarer welfare, piracy and crisis response, maritime knowledge awareness, and the promotion of quality in ships and their management. He is currently Chairman of the Board at Sailor’s Society and has previously served as Head (either as Chairman or CEO) of several significant maritime organizations, including Intertanko, Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme, and a Trustee of ISWAN.
Mr. Peter Swift, Chair of Trustees, The Sailors’ Society:
Throughout my career I have benefited from, and I’m being extremely grateful, for the assistance of many colleagues and from whom I have learned an awful lot, which I wish to acknowledge today. I am therefore very privileged and grateful to receive this recognition and award. Thank you very much.
About SAFETY4SEA Awards
SAFETY4SEA Awards are part of the SAFETY4SEA Forum within the scope of fostering Excellence & Sustainable Shipping. The process to be employed is a combination of open nomination and vote. The award categories are:
SAFETY4SEA Dry Bulk Operator Award
To be awarded to a ship operator of bulk carriers, or general dry cargo vessels that demonstrated safety excellence and performance above average in any aspect of maritime activity
SAFETY4SEA Tanker Operator Award
To be awarded to a ship operator of oil or chemical tankers, or gas carriers that demonstrated safety excellence and performance above average in any aspect of maritime activity
SAFETY4SEA Sustainability Award
To be awarded to an organization that contributed towards sustainable shipping
SAFETY4SEA Training Award
To be awarded to an organization that provided a significant achievement or breakthrough or significant contribution in any aspect of maritime training
SAFETY4SEA Technology Award
To be awarded to an organization that provided a significant technological achievement or breakthrough or significant contribution in any aspect of maritime safety activity
SAFETY4SEA Initiative Award
To be awarded to an organization or association that sparked, realised, or significantly contributed in any initiative fostering safer and sustainable shipping
SAFETY4SEA Personality Award
To be awarded to an individual that provided industry influence and contributed towards safer shipping
SAFETY4SEA Leadership Award
To be awarded to an individual that has provided industry leadership and contributed towards safer shipping throughout his/her career
Notification procedure is initiated few months ahead of the event with an open invitation to the industry stakeholders to propose nominations online via relevant form at dedicated awards page. Shortlisted nominees are announced within a week after nomination submission is concluded and open vote to declare the winner of each category is available for a period of three months through relevant application at dedicated awards page. Winners are announced at the award ceremony, during the SAFETY4SEA Forum.