Recently, seafarers from Ukraine and Croatia had the good fortune to meet with colleagues and representatives of the China Navigation Company (CNCo) in Odessa. CNCo is a subsidiary of the John Swire & Sons Group in the UK which in turn is controlled by the Swire family.
The company’s fleet is composed of 24 Multi-Purpose vessels several of which have been delivered over the past few years and 32 bulk carriers including one Self Unloading Cement Carrier. The 31 remaining bulk carriers are all handy-size and equipped with cranes.
CNСo has its own cadet programme and a pension plan for their seafarers.
Mykhaylo Miyusov, rector of National University “Odessa Maritime Academy” was first to welcome the seafarers gathered in the hall. He expressed his pleasure at being there and briefly presented the Academy’s recent achievements and shared the academy’s plans for the future. Mr. Miyusov also mentioned the main focus is finding partners who have a cadet programme. “Because it is of utmost importance to organize onboard training and provide the cadets with opportunities to gain sufficient sea time,” said Miyusov.
The next speaker, Stuart Jones, Fleet Director of CNCo, gave an overview of what is happening with the Company today as well as across the whole industry. The highest priority for CNCo is the safety of all employees and stakeholders. “We are committed to our goal of zero harm. We want to maintain the highest safety standards and prevent accidents throughout the company,” said Mr. Jones. He also talked about the Company’s safety initiatives. The five key areas included: – resources; – recruitment; – training; – performance review; – procedures. Mr. Jones emphasized that there are several challenges in 2017-2018, both for CNCo and the industry:
• 2018 EU MRV requirements – Decarbonisation;
• Newbuildings with SCR or EGR;
• Preparing for 2020 0,5% Sulphur fuel requirements;
• Cyber security
• The increasing trend of carrying project cargoes on bulk carriers.
The Company follows the market and we can see it through their new building plans, which include:
– Ordering 4 x 36k DWT Handysize Bulk Carriers from Oshima Shipyard – Delivery 2020;
– Ordering 4 x 2500 TEU containerships – Delivery 2019;
Henrik Bisbo, GM, Crewing Operations, Safety & Training was the next to speak. He talked about Drug & Alcohol policies, disciplinary procedures and performance appraisals. He started with an overview of the trend in major nationalities revealing that Ukrainian seafarers hold third place with 160 seamen working on CNCo’s vessels. First and second place went to Filipino and Chinese seafarers with approximately 440 and 360 seamen respectively.
Mr. Bisbo is also responsible for the performance appraisal process. “Human behaviour is always at the centre of business failure – or even disasters. It is however also the secret of business success. Consequently we, as a company, can only succeed through our people,” said Henrik Bisbo.
Performance appraisal is a formal system of reviews and evaluation of an employee’s overall task performance. According to Mr. Bisbo, appraisals provide an opportunity to raise the performance level of an employee through constructive discussions.
Capt. Debashis Sen, Safety & Training Manager talked about safety concerns and safety & training initiatives. He highlighted the main safety concerns, among others non-compliance with procedures often resulting in injuries, damage to equipment, pollution, delays and loss of reputation. Talking about safety & training initiatives he marked the necessity of: – analysis of near misses, unsafe acts and conditions every quarter; – analysis of internal audit finding every quarter; – targeted safety campaigns every quarter; – remote navigation audit using VDR data; – introduction of Lockout-Tagout Procedures; – in-house produced training and safety videos; – use of an online safety assessment tool to screen new applicants in senior ranks; – cadet training programme with dedicated Cadet Training Officers to mention just some of the many initiatives taken.
Jesmark Ramos, Senior Fleet Personnel Manager presented the CNCo Code of Conduct which enshrines the Company’s corporate values and explains how it works ethically and within the law. “CNCo is committed to acting professionally, fairly and with integrity. All employees must commit to adhere to the code at all times,” emphasized Mr. Ramos. He also spoke about the crewing strategy of CNCo. It is aimed at developing and maintaining a steady and mature pool of Officers and ratings; – CNCo has 1700 seafarers and presently a retention rate of 91%. CNCo prefers to promote from within instead of hiring new senior officers and to that end a structured cadet training programme is in place.
The second day was kicked off by Capt. Debashis Sen with a speech about complacency and how it is most often experienced. He mentioned intentional, unintentional and habitual complacency. “The main key to prevent complacency is to form your habits you practice every day at work until they override former unsafe behaviours and become automatic. Develop a habit of assessing your work areas for potential hazards,” said Mr. Sen.
Capt. Debashis Sen also provided an overview of recent incidents in the fleet.
Henrik Bisbo proceeded with a speech about healthy lifestyle.
Captain Robert Kirk McGregor, Marine Surveyor, Charles Taylor & Company Ltd., London held a workshop on cargo care and among other things he listed the roles of the P&I Club such as: – manage claims; – act as central point of contact; – appoint experts, lawyers and correspondents; – provide 24 hour emergency response; – pay claims and fees incurred; – issue documentation.
In his interview with The Maritime Telegraph Stuart Jones talked about the main working principles and future plans of the China Navigation Company: “Integrity and teamwork are the mainstays at CNCo. We’ve been running for a long time and we will continue on this course. We are buying and building more ships all the time.” He also said that the Company is going to increase the number of Ukrainian seafarers on board the ships (today it is 160 out of 1700 seafarers). Mr. Stuart mentioned that their cadet programme recruited 40 cadets in 2017 to be trained on board, however the number for 2018 will be 20.
“We come here every year to touch base with our Ukrainian officers. We do this in the Philippines, China and here because we have big groups of officers working with us here, and we discuss what’s happening with the fleet and particularly matters of safety,” said Mr. Jones.
He also gave an overview of the company’s pension plan for the seafarers: “Everybody is included in the pension fund after their first contract.”
The seafarers who attended the Forum also commented on their work at CNCo.
Andriy Savchenko, Master. He has been appointed the new Commodore of the CNCo fleet: “I started to work with China Navigation as a chief officer in February 2004. I’m very satisfied with the company. Working conditions are excellent. Almost all vessels are new which makes it a very comfortable place to work. Also, their safety is at the highest level. In recent years, with the expansion of the fleet, they have not spared money and invested very much in safety. I am sure that they are ahead of many other companies.” Read the interview with Captain Andriy Savchenko in our next issue.
Dmytro Starovoitov, Electrician:
“I have done one contract with this company and now I am preparing for the second. I used to work in a Greek company, and once I decided to change companies I checked the reviews on China Navigation. People were satisfied, and I was convinced that I should make the move to CNCo. It is a better company not only because of money, but also because I appreciate the company’s attitude toward its seafarers. This is very important.”
Grujica Dudic, Master:
“Last December I passed all the company’s entry requirements and began to work for China Navigation. Yes, I have only finished one contract but I am almost ready for the next one. Why did I leave other companies? It is a fact that men always try to find something better. As a fish tries to find deeper waters. Also, some of my previous companies went bankrupt. I do not know how long I will continue working with China Navigation because people are like fish but my next contract starts September 4.”
Oleksii Dadizha, Chief Engineer:
“I have been working for China Navigation since 2004. They had just entered the Ukrainian market then. I passed the interview in Alpha Navigation office and started to work. Actually, I began my career path in a Greek company, but decided to find a better variant, in every sense. So I found CNCo. If earlier my contracts lasted for 8 months, here it is 6. And, by the way, the wage is higher and that is important too. I started to work as a 4th engineer, then I was promoted. However, in 2010 I left China Navigation because there were no vacancies for me at that time. Then I came back, because this company suits me in every way.”
Olexander Pasternak, Electrician:
“I’m a newcomer in CNCo, but I can see how work is very stable here. Meeting all safety standards is a general motto of the China Navigation. I look forward to continued cooperation with this company.”
