Page 26: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (March 2018)

Angus Frew, Secretary General, BIMCO oices can drive standardization in reporting across the world. beginning of being able to protect yourself against cy- sell ships for the capital gain, and one more ship from

A huge amount of the bridge team’s time is spent re- ber attacks. BIMCO is a leading light in this area, and their companies makes little difference to the industry. porting to different ports. we have guidelines and standards on software mainte- But I think when it becomes the much bigger organiza- nance. tions that are really focused on servicing the industry,

That would seem to be a natural link to your third and they will be in a better position to make more ratio- objective, which is lightening the load of the ship’s Looking at the digitalization in whole, what is the nal decisions because there will be fewer players.

crew. key to moving it forward, faster?

Our third theme is linked to that: the reduction of We are a conservative industry. But I think (once When I read the news of of your recent contract the administrative burden on the ship’s master. There is we get) the bit between the teeth – we actually get on extension was struck by one of your goals going a lot of work in standardization and we’re trying to ? nd with things. There are a host of projects that we’re forward: having this industry speak in a clear and out how we can help reduce that. working on where digitalization doesn’t happen with- uni? ed voice. Why is it important, and what’s your out standardization. So we are really focused on stan- strategy to do it?

So digitalization, the software, the cyber, the auton- dardization. You talk about autonomous ships; there is The industry has a lot of associations, all with a omy and lightening the load on the ship’s master ... no autonomy without standardization. viewpoint. By not speaking in an aligned manner, it it all goes hand-in-hand. simply makes it too easy for them to either do nothing It does. Our time is running short, and I’d like to turn the or to pick holes. What is very clear is that when we do conversation back to the market and achieving bal- speak together, the countries in IMO actually listen. So

Drilling down a bit more into the digitalization ance in the marketplace. Are there recommendation there is the roundtable – the roundtable of international trends, from where you sit, what is the reality on the from BIMCO on trying to maintain balance and sta- shipping associations – and that is BIMCO, the Interna- ships, in the ports? bility? tional Chamber of Shipping, Intertanko and Intercargo, It depends on the conversation. For example the We wrote a piece called “The Road to Recovery,” and on the big issues we spent a lot of time working work that’s been happening in the industry on cyber se- about 18 months ago. I think the keys to the changes together to get a common agreement among our organi- curity onboard ships is strong. I think there are a lot of are, as the industry consolidates, and as we have fewer, zations and our members. We are directly linked to our industries that wish that cyber was on the tip of all their bigger players, that we’ll make more rational decisions members and they participate in all of our work. If we executives’ tongues like it is in maritime. That doesn’t based on the market requirements, rather than only in- can get the political and the practical to work together, mean we’ve solved the problem, but awareness is the dividual requirements. I think a lot of people buy and it’s a very strong partnership.

26 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • MARCH 2018

MR #3 (26-33).indd 26 MR #3 (26-33).indd 26 3/5/2018 3:20:47 PM3/5/2018 3:20:47 PM