When it comes to managing risks and threats in maritime industry, RightShip is one of the leading options for most shipping groups. Recently we interviewed Mr. Martin Crawford-Brunt, CEO of RightShip on the hot issues of the moment such as Safety Score, decarbonization, safety ecosystem etc.
Xinde Marine News: We know that RightShip will launch a new safety score platform in September, and DBMS will be launched next year, mainly related to the Safe Management System, and one important factor of the safety scores that has a great impact on ship scores is DOC performance. We want to know whether the DBMS result will affect DOC performance in the Safety score.
Martin Crawford-Brunt: Our first priority is to introduce the industry to the Safety Score when it launches in October and ensure everyone has time to assess it and become comfortable with its function in the due diligence process.
The DBMS is still in draft form and we continue to work through active consultation. It's important to getting input from many members of the maritime community. Once the process is completed, we will launch a pilot program to validate the DBMS before it is formally released. It's essential to get it right and ensure we are clear on how it is best utilised. We don't expect the DBMS to be implemented in the market until later in 2021, so for now we will focus on the Safety Score.
Xinde Marine News: In QI area, we know that the main customers of RIGHTSHIP are charterers. With the launch of the new SAFETY SCORE, will RIGHTSHIP consider new member preferential measures for shipowners or management companies?
Martin Crawford-Brunt: We have more than 100 ship operator customers today. The development of the Safety Score and Platform has been a collaborative effort and is not focused on any specific customer type. RightShip is now looking to work more closely with shipowners and management companies – we've put a lot of thought into that. We have strategically built the capability to serve shipowners and management companies better.
We encourage anyone who is interested to login to our Platform to review our systems, user experience and vessel insights and welcome feedback within the Platform. Register at ComingSoon.RightShip.com.
Xinde Marine News: We understand that RIGHTSHIP has designated a new Asia-Pacific MD and will place the Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore. As we all know, Chinese shipowners/operators also play important roles in the international dry bulk market. We would like to know whether RIGHTSHIP has any plan or strategy for Chinese market in the future.
Martin Crawford-Brunt: My long-term objective is to ensure RightShip is a truly global organisation and that means delivering our services and being available to customers in all regions and time zones. Opening an office in Singapore enables us to increase our presence in the APAC region. It is an important maritime center and we are pleased to be working with stakeholders here.
China also hugely important from a cargo and operations perspective, and it is growing in stature. We have a long-term plan to engage more productively and strategically with the China market, however we must establish our Singapore base first.
Xinde Marine News: Decarbonization is now one of the hottest topics in the industry. RIGHTSHIP has launched GHG rating for a long time, and We know that RightShip is the member of Getting to Zero Coalition. We want to understand what kind of guidance or promotion will you bring to the decarbonization of the shipping industry.
Martin Crawford-Brunt: We've had the GHG Rating in place for some time and it has been effective in supporting conversions of existing ships and benefit of building more efficient ships using current technology. So our approach is two pronged: first, in the short-term we seek to look at the existing fleet and current technology in terms of carbon reduction – any carbon saved now supports the longer term objective also.
Secondly, in the longer term our vision is to get to a place where we have zero carbon emissions in shipping. Although this target is very challenging and will take time we believe it is possible by focusing on the collaboration and the right incentives and support. Later this year, we are launching a new carbon accounting tool to help companies track and measure their carbon. By measuring the output you can understand your emissions better, and in turn establish where and how to reduce them, thereby positioning your ships more favorably with your customers.
Xinde Marine News: We know that RIGHTSHIP will launch a brand-new platform in September. As we know, RIGHTSHIP want to re-create a safety rating platform, and you also proposed the concept of safety ecology. Can you talk more about this concept?
Martin Crawford-Brunt: Our purpose is to drive and improve safety outcomes in the industry. As part of that we offer a range of complementary due diligence services. When all services within our safety ecosystem are used together, you get the most comprehensive view of risk. Each part of the supply chain including cargo interests, ship operators or ports and terminals faces inherent risks, which need to be understood and assessed.
The safety score provides an initial insight into a vessel's suitability, based on historical performance, while inspections allow us to confirm the physical conditions and close out incidents.
Vetting completes the due diligence process by integrating all the constituent parts to complete the picture by updating information through communication with the parties involved and provides specific insights on the contemplated voyage including the, ports and cargo type. We are in daily contact with key stakeholders to support the industry with safe and efficient cargo flows.
Xinde Marine News: Large charterers always have a NO F&G rule when ships are chartered. Do you have any suggestions for these old ships with poor energy efficiency?
Martin Crawford-Brunt: In recent years we have assessed the efficiency improvements of more than 700 vessels. Even on older vessels there are always opportunities to improve efficiency and we advise owners and operators to work with technical consultants and class societies to understand the options for those vessels, to find the most effective solutions. By undertaking these conversions, the owner is in a stronger position to market their ships most favorably to charterers.
Xinde Marine News: In the past, charterers usually only accept ships with more than 3 stars. With the launch of the new SAFETY SCORE platform, what kind of impact will it have on the chartering market in the future? Do you have any suggestions for the shipping industry?
Martin Crawford-Brunt: It is important to point out that the risk and star rating was constructed very differently to the new Safety Score and had a different intended application. We have prepared a great deal of information available on our website’s knowledge base which explains this further. The safety score is intended to be used in conjunction with vetting as explained above and should not be used in isolation.
If there is a concern from a charterer or operator regarding a low Safety Score, we advise companies to proactively close out recent incidents and detentions and consider the possibility of other ways in which they can demonstrate that the vessel is suitable for they voyage they intend. It may be that if we're missing information, or there has been a serious incident, that a physical inspection will be required to support the vetting decision.
Xinde Marine News: Crew work intensity is the prerequisite and guarantee for the safe operation of ships. Although MLC has regulations and also asked ships to take corresponding measures, there are still gaps between actual situation and regulation. What’s your opinion on this?
Martin Crawford-Brunt: Many gaps still exist in the governance, accountability and regulation in the shipping industry today. This is not to the result of a specific regulation alone. At RightShip we are constantly looking for ways to support proactive participants who do more to ensure seafarer welfare and the safety of operations wherever they sit in the global supply chain.
Xinde Marine News: Is there any delay for some new policies or requirements for Rightship due to Covid-19?
Martin Crawford-Brunt: Given Covid-19 we understand the world is in turmoil, it's challenging for everybody. We've changed the way we have rolled out the product, including lengthening the deployment. We want to support the industry during this difficult time, so we have developed comprehensive digital resources and a knowledge base accessible 24/7 to support people who would like to learn more about our new products including how our vetting process and platform supports multiple stakeholders-not just charterers.
We are launching as per our schedule, because although Covid-19 is having a significant impact, we also understand that stakeholders seeking improved safety and good operations can't wait.
The opinions expressed herein are the author's and not necessarily those of The Xinde Marine News.
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