Last week I focussed my Bulletin on climate change and the action that governments, industry and international organisations need to take. I expanded on this in an opinion piece in Lloyd’s List and you can read my thoughts here on how we need action today, not tomorrow.

As we move towards the next step out of lockdown, I was pleased to speak to the BBC this week about the restart of the UK cruise sector. The BBC travelled to Scotland to visit Fred Olsen’s ships and see what new protocols and procedures are in place ahead of customers being welcomed back from 17 May.

Mental health and wellbeing for seafarers is a key priority for me and the team and I were delighted to announce this week that we have become a supporting organisation for the 1st Global Conference for Seafarer Mental Health and Wellbeing, which will take place online on 25-26 May 2021. Chamber members get a 20% discount and all the details on how to register are on our website.

Competing with other industries for the best and brightest is one of the challenges facing the maritime sector. This challenge can be met by listening to the younger generations’ wants, needs, and perspectives on the industry.  I was pleased to see the Global Maritime Forum has announced its third Future Maritime Leaders essay competition, which gives young people, aged 18-30, a chance for their voice to be heard in the debate about the future. The three winners of the competition will be invited to attend the Global Maritime Forum’s Annual Summit in London this year, with all expenses covered.

In addition, the Global Maritime Forum is preparing a survey of young people, aged 18-30, to understand their perspective on the major challenges and opportunities facing the maritime industry. The survey will act as a counterpart to our survey of senior maritime stakeholders, which forms the basis of our annual Global Maritime Issues Monitor report.  All information needed to participate in the competition can be found on their website.  All students and young professionals willing to participate in the survey are invited to send their contact information (name, position, organisation, and email) to Live Gilje at lg@globalmaritimeforum.org. They will be invited to take the survey when it launches on 1 June 2021.

I hope everyone has a great Bank Holiday weekend.

Bob.