MANILA -The 8th Asia Pacific Manning and Training Conference in Manila is turning out to be 6ne of the largest international events to be hosted by the Philippines this year.
The event will be attended by more than 300 participants representing over 42 of the biggest international maritime companies from over 22 countries.
“An unprecedented number of international companies have registered this year;’ Lloyd’s List events Marketing Director Aidan O’ Donovan noted. Among the companies attending the conference are DNV of Norway, Hapag-Lloyd of Germany, Finaval Spa of Italy, World Tankers Management of Singapore, Fesco of Russia and Hanseatic Shipping of Cyprus. Companies from China, North Korea, India, Thailand and Nigeria will also be represented at the conference.
Organized by the UK-based conference specialist, Lloyd’s List events, the annual conference will be held here at the Hotel Philippine Plaza on November 14 and 15. The event will bring the world’s largest maritime companies to Manila, the manning capital of the world, to discuss the issues and challenges affecting the crewing of commercial vessels worldwide.
Explaining the importance of the conference, GlobalMet Ltd Executive Secretary Rod Short said that, “In view of the many concerns being expressed about manning and training, the theme of the conference, it is important that the industry collectively considers and proposes means to address these key issues: ‘This view was also supported by Wallem Shipmanagement Ltd, Hongkong Fleet Personnel Director John Wood who noted that “networking is important and conferences are great places to network:’
“Taking up speaking roles also offers us the opportunity to share our thoughts on selected issues with a wider audience, our primary objective being to stimulate further discussion;’ he added.
A key attraction of the conference is the 1st IFSMA (International Federation of Shipmasters’ Associations) Forum which will tackle proposed revisions in the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) convention. The STCW is the main international convention which sets the minimum requirements for seafarer’s training and the issuance of licenses and certificates. A full scale review of the STCW standards is now underway and the IFSMA Forum will provide participants a chance to influence the changes taking place.
“The reason people should attend is that this STCW review will be debated at the next STCW sub-committee of the IMO in March 2008. IFSMA is one of the few NGOs that speak on behalf of the seafarers” IFSMA Secretary General Capt. Rodger MacDonald explained.
“IFSMA wants to make sure that they can convey the experience and needs of seafarers so that the industry can focus on aiming for the highest standards of competence to ensure our ships are operated safely and with care for the environment;’ he added.
To participate in these events please call Carmen Chui on +852 2147 9733 or register on-line at www.manningandtraining.com or email carmen.chui@informa.com