TBA GroupViganPort of South LouisianaTOC Europe 2023Sailors SocietyPort of Stockton
  • Port of South Louisiana
  • Van Aalst
  • TOC Europe 2023
  • Cimbria
  • Vigan
  • Sailors Society

InterManager President calls for ‘one voice’ for shipping

InterManager President calls for ‘one voice’ for shipping

(Posted on 29/09/21)

Shipping needs “one voice” to represent it globally and enable the maritime community to communicate more effectively with regulators, says Mark O’Neil, President of shipmanagement association InterManager and CEO of Columbia Shipmanagement.

As the industry builds up to the vital COP26 environmental world discussions in November, Mr O’Neil urged it to capitalise on the co-operation achieved in collectively working to tackle the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, in order to address other global issues.

Speaking during the International Shipowning and Shipmanagement Summit, held during London International Shipping Week (LISW21), Mr O’Neil proposed the creation of an ‘International Maritime Committee’ (IMC) comprising representatives from all maritime sectors with a presidency rotating between member organisations. He recommended this IMC would collate all relevant views and opinions from within the various, diverse maritime sectors, presenting the results of informed industry debate to governments making decisions which will impact how shipping operates in the future.

“I do think as an industry there is a crying need for greater collaboration between those bodies that govern the various aspects of the industry,” he stated.

“We need to influence the debate when it comes before the governments who decide. At the moment we have various bodies all doing their part for their members but those members representing only a part of the industry. We need our industry views put across in a single voice.”

Pointing out that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a regulator not a lobbyist, Mr O’Neil said: “IMO does its job very well but it is not the voice of shipping nor was it ever intended to be.”

Declaring that shipping had too often been late to discussions and the ‘Johnny-come-lately’ of international debate, he commented: “Shipping is a long-term investment industry and it cannot operate on knee-jerk, populist policies otherwise investors will go elsewhere.

Act now, he advised, “otherwise shipping risks losing its long-standing elevated status within the overall logistics chain.”

Latest News

Groke brings new situation awareness expertise to One Sea

(Posted on 24/03/23)

One Sea has welcomeed Finnish start-up Groke Technologies as its new member, bringing additional expertise... Read more


ClassNK releases FAQs on EU-ETS for shipping

(Posted on 24/03/23)

ClassNK has released “FAQs on the EU-ETS for Shipping”, an overview and necessary preparation... Read more


New AXSMarine tool helps users visualize CO2 emissions and CII

(Posted on 20/03/23)

AXSMarine, a pioneer and market leader in the provision of advanced solutions for shipping professionals... Read more


Shipzero advances the decarbonization of logistics

(Posted on 20/03/23)

Shipzero is enabling transport and logistics companies to create transparency about their emissions... Read more


Isle of Man Ship Registry joins INTERCARGO

(Posted on 07/03/23)

The Isle of Man Ship Registry (IOMSR) has become an associate member of The International Association... Read more


More investment into crews’ health and nutrition says MCTC

(Posted on 07/03/23)

The wellbeing of crew members is becoming more important to shipping companies says leading catering... Read more


Strong demand and diversified vessel portfolio fuels strong Algoma performance

(Posted on 28/02/23)

Canada based Algoma Central Corporation has reported its results for the year ended 31 December, 2022... Read more


Ukrainian seafarers back, but many have suffered trauma

(Posted on 24/02/23)

Ukrainian seafarers have largely returned to international shipping thereby restoring balance in crew... Read more


Round Table prioritises seafarers at first in-person meeting since COVID

(Posted on 24/02/23)

The Chairs of the Round Table of International Shipping Associations met in Athens last week to renew... Read more


AXSMarine invests in Nextvoyage

(Posted on 21/02/23)

AXSMarine, a leading provider of SaaS shipping software and data for decision making in the chartering... Read more


TelestackThe Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology CimbriaVan AalstBühler GmbH
  • The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology
  • TBA Group
  • Port of Stockton
  • Telestack

Subscribe to our newsletter

Keep up to date with the latest global news in bulk cargo handling and shipping