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INDUSTRY - NEWS FEATURE
New secretary general Giles Heimann.
applied to all industries to cope with the drop
in trade and curtail expenditure. While an
understanding was reached last year that IBF
pay reviews would be kept on hold until the
end of 2010, in order to assess any change to
the fortunes of the industry over a longer
period, initial indications seem to show that
the industry will not undergo any large change
during the foreseeable future.
IBF commitment
Heimann said that IMEC is committed to the
IBF negotiation process and fully intends to
comply with the agreement to meet with the
ITF during 2010 with a view to pragmatically
examining the continued effect of the financial
crisis on the ability of the shipowners to agree
to any future increase in minimum salary
levels, for seafarers employed by its members.
Other meetings are planned to look at the
methodology currently being used as much of
it is several years old and thus out of date,
such as the ‘model ship’ used in negotiations
having a crew of 23.
He also stressed that IMEC would continue
to monitor and be an active participant in
discussions surrounding the effect of piracy on
world trade flowing through the Gulf of Aden,
en route to and from the Suez Canal. In
dialogue with the ITF, IMEC and its partners
within the JNG, it will continue to evaluate the
effectiveness of the established High Risk
Area and of the warships patrolling the safe
corridors through the Gulf of Aden.
Having hosted a meeting of National
Shipowners’ Associations during December,
IMEC represented its members, and other
associations, at a tri-partite conference called
during the first week of January in the
Philippines. At this conference, IMEC aired
the view that while the effect of piracy was
saving a significant impact on the safety of
seafarers, the cause of the piracy was an issue
that could not be dealt with by the shipping
industry, but rather at international
government level. IMEC will continue to
lobby for governments to act during 2010,
Heimann stressed.
He also revealed that the Philippine
Government had been very close to banning
all its seafarers from sailing on board vessels
in the area, but thanks to the meetings
convened by IMEC, withdrew its threat.
IMEC has since signed a joint communiqué
with the Philippines to lobby other
governments to take action to bring economic
and political stability to the area. One result is
that the Philippine manning agents will have
to introduce mandatory anti-piracy training for
their seafarers from 1st February this year.
There are many other challenges to be faced
this year - not least the rapidly approaching
implementation of the Maritime Labour
Convention (MLC) and also the amendments
to the STCW convention. IMEC said that it
would continue to monitor developments in
both these key areas of international
legislation closely in order to provide relevant
and up to date advice to its members.
MLC worries
Heimann expressed a certain amount of
apprehension about the impending MLC
legislation, which was fast approaching and
could be ratified in 2011. He said that many
flag states were simply not ready to include
the legislation in their government’s statute
books and others had different interpretations
of the MLC. Another cause for concern was
the possible lack of port state control
inspectors trained to tackle the question of
MLC certification properly.
Due to its expanded role, which now
includes a sponsored cadet scheme, two new
members of staff are needed. One position, an
executive officer, training and development -
will be dedicated to looking after IMEC’s
increasing training commitments and act as
secretary to the IMEC recruitment & training
committee.
Heimann explained that this position will be
critical in maintaining communication
between the IMEC training director, who is
based with his two staff at a dedicated office
in Manila, the chairman of the recruitment and
training committee and the secretary general.
This year will see the IMEC cadet
programme in the Philippines grow by a
further 250 cadets - 200 cadets at the
Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific
and a further 50 cadets at the University of
Cebu, in addition to the other training
commitments maintained by IMEC
worldwide. This effectively increases the total
number of cadets under the IMEC training
scheme to over 500, sponsored for a four year
period. Heimann said that there are plans to
increase the number to around 1,000 cadets
over the next three years, together with
possible expansion into other manpower
supply countries.
The second position to be filled will be an
administrative assistant who will be used in
maintaining even closer contact and
communication with the IMEC membership
on a day to day basis, in particular dealing
with accounts and contributions to the various
funds operating under IBF agreements.
Expanding role
Other events this year include an Annual
General Meeting planned for London during
April and a mid-year general meeting in
Mumbai in November. Heimann said that
IMEC will also further build its relationships
and connections with other shipowner
associations in the near future and will
continue to develop strategic partnerships that
allow for greater exchange of experience and
information, such as the industry roundtable
on seafarer criminalisation. He also revealed
that he intends to travel to various major
shipping centres to sit down with members
and listen to their views.
IMEC vice chairman, Bob Goodall
concluded: “2009 was indeed a year that was
extremely positive in terms of the
development of IMEC as a representative
international members’ organisation. The
move to the office and the succession of
David Dearsley by Giles Heimann signifies
the continued development of IMEC as a
reputable and recognised industry authority.
Of course, on a less positive note were the
continued repercussions due to the world
financial crisis and other issues, such as
piracy, which continue to blight our industry. I
am, however, confident that through continued
co-operation and communication with all our
partners, administrations and governments, we
will tackle these challenges.”
Finally, the IMO has decreed 2010 as the
‘Year of the Seafarer’ in which IMEC said
that it intends to play a significant role.
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January/February 2010 TANKEROperator 09