With IMO 2020 on less than a month away the UK P&I Club has commented on the unique challenges the initiative presents regarding loss prevention.
The Club also remarked on the increased automation that is expected for the maritime sector.
Stuart Edmonston, Loss Prevention Director at UK P&I Club said, “From a loss prevention perspective, the most obvious discussion point for 2020 is the impending roll-out of new IMO fuel and emissions regulations, which will bring unique challenges in terms of compliance, enforcement, and managing the new type of fuel on board. There will also be additional impact on training and maintenance as some vessels are fit with scrubbers.
“The industry must be prepared for not just the initial and inevitable disruption that IMO 2020 will cause but the related elevation in threats, such as blackouts and associated engine breakdowns.
“Preventive action implementation alongside a regular schedule of monitoring is vital to mitigate and control such risks and the associated losses.”
E-Journal: Shipping 2020 A Vision For Tomorrow
Edmonston also spoke of how the maritime industry can prepare for automation.
“As shipping slowly embraces automation, we will see new technological advancements in shipboard processes, machineries, and equipment. This will create newer training requirements in 2020 and beyond, as well as crew familiarity issues. As we move towards an increasingly digital and automated future, it’s more vital than ever to attract technologically innovative people to the sector, while retaining the current pool of motivated, capable and knowledgeable people,” he said.
Edmonston also highlighted cross-industry collaboration for 2020 as a key point. He highlighted the UK P&I Club’s Loss Prevention team’s effort to expand its Lessons Learnt reflective learning videos in 2020 across personal injury, navigation, pollution, and cargo.
The UK P&I Club is a leading provider of P&I insurance and other services to the international shipping community.
