| Total Comments 67 | Start A New Comment |
| Post Info | Comment |
| Posted By: Blakers Posted On: Feb 19, 2009 Views: 2741 | Lower Rates I'd like to see the industry become more proactive in managing its resources like other industries with big assets. Investment in people, training, and more advanced management decision making tools should be increasing now while fuel is cheap. When fuel prices start back up, the operators that are doing this will be ahead of the pack. |
| Posted By: Kapena Posted On: Jan 22, 2009 Views: 3146 | Manning I spent a few years sailing deep sea and while on vacation, local tugs between offshore jobs. Now I'm Piloting. I hear the same complaint from ALL Masters from ALL countries and ALL types of ships....the eroding pool of knowledgeable, skilled, experienced, and dedicated mariners who want to stay at sea as a lifelong career. It isn't just about money, but the overall experience of being removed from society for extended periods of time. Like Dana said in "2 Years Before the Mast", it's the same as being in prison, with the fear of death by drowning. Then you have the 'smarter than you' shore staff telling you how to manage your ship, by simply sending an email, which has circulated thru the entire corporation (including the mail room boy), which you MUST include in your reply......oh well. Someday, when cargo sits on an idle ship tied up for lack of crew, THEN they will get it. But by then, too late. |
| Posted By: HerrDieselMeister Posted On: Jan 15, 2009 Views: 3145 | Personnel Agree totally with your points. Most young people today go to sea solely with the visions of big money. Schools pace little emphasis on hands on mechanics anymore. Offices are staffed with one trip mates and engineers in superintendent positions. Does one have to think very hard as to where the unfounded decisions regarding operations and business come from? I have tried for years to garner interest in a world class diesel engineering training facility only to be told that simulators do the job just as well. The only real facilities for training are the ones operated by Wartsila, MAN B&W, MaK and the separator maufacturers but far too few get to attend these courses. I can personally attest to the value of working with an engine on a dyno and proper live instruction in the use of separators. All it would take is roup cooperation from the shipping industry. I'm about to retire in a few weeks so the struggles in just about over for me. Anyone have any interest I'd be more than happy to help. |
| Posted By: Marijan Toncic, capt. Posted On: Jan 7, 2009 Views: 3217 | Personnel The workforce has been putted on side, all this two decade I left the navigation and joined a maritime education institution, I am witnessing the large decline in interests among young people for the sea profession especially for maritime engineers. On the other side am also watching every year more information technology, more and more administration, rising responsibilities and minimizing number of crew stuff. And what is the most non sense is that the managers claims that the largest expenditure is the labor crew, not the wrong investment decision, maintenance procedures, paying commissions, port expenses, missing knowledge and good seamanship practice by cheap labor force.... |
| Posted By: HerrDiesel Meister Posted On: Jan 5, 2009 Views: 2728 | Comment Agree with "All of the above". Freight rates drive the bottom line and the decision making process, one has no control over fuel prices and the "uncertainty" of dealing with Chinese yards has many wondering. Quality is out of control there as well as the "McDonald's" approcah to cranking out yards like burgers. Personnel issues will remain a concern as owners struggle to find "quality" crews to man new buildings. My only hope as I get ready to "swallow the anchor" is that more "hands on" intensive facilities are started for training marine engineers. Best wishes to all Forum followers for 2009. |
| Posted By: SaltyDog Posted On: Dec 31, 2008 Views: 2598 | Freight rates I agree with AspirinAddict. While all of the issues selected will be painful to some degree, depressed freight rates will be the most worrisome. We'd like to move forward with our newbuilding plans, but I think we'll have to put them on the shelf for now until rates improve. |
| Posted By: Aspirin addict Posted On: Dec 30, 2008 Views: 2421 | All of the above! But mainly freight rates |
| Pages [ 1 2 3 4 5 ] |