On the morning of 16 September for Anchorage residents, it was a sight for sore eyes when a cruise vessel reached the Port of Alaska. This was the first time in the last two years.

On Thursday morning at about 10 a.m., a ship named Nieuw Amsterdam belonging to the Holland America Cruise cruise line docked a the port.

This is the first cruise vessel to stop in Anchorage since the COVID-19 pandemic and will be the only ship seen this season per the Director of the Visit Anchorage Community Engagement named Jack Bonney.

He said this is the one time a cruise vessel calls the directory to the port of Anchorage. Most cruise visitations that Anchorage experiences come via the ports of Seward or Whittier.

Passengers anxiously waited on board for their opportunity to depart from the vessel and were all set to hit vacation mode.

They make all they need, like their food and bed, Regisann Myton mentioned.

Bellwood and Myton were quite excited to explore the sights of downtown Anchorage.

Myton said it is chillier than what he was thinking. Bellwood noted that it is more significant than he expected it to be.

After a dry spell that lasted for two years, the ship’s stop in Anchorage provided the city with an almost last-minute economic tourism boost toward the end of the tourist season. This is a long one going by Alaska standards and most of the world for a port of call.

There’s an opportunity to do more in Anchorage. Bonney said even during a port of call, that will only last for a day. So similar to restaurants, gift stores, and day tours, this is a big deal for them as it is something one can do in a day.

Bonney said that the tourist activities Anchorage witnessed this summer reflect a bounce from the earlier pandemic lows. Bonney added that 2021 turned out slightly better than they had expected, and 2022 is on the right track to be a big year and might equal some benchmarks.

Source: https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/port-of-alaska-welcomes-first-cruise-ship-in-two-years/

UnCruise Adventures has unveiled an extended sailing onboard the Safari Voyager in time for the annular eclipse in 2023, according to a press release.

The nine-day cruise will depart on October 13, 2023, and will allow guests to experience landscapes, natural surroundings, and ocean views while sailing with experienced guides and witnessing the eclipse off the coast of Belize, according to UnCruise Adventures.

“Our first season has shown the interest is high for Belize. It will offer a bonus with our exclusive Eclipse, Rivers & Reefs sailing in 2023,” he states. “What a special time to be onboard. Some people go their whole lives without seeing an eclipse. Now we have the perfect vantage point for viewing onboard in the Caribbean surrounded by natural beauty,” said Dan Blanchard, chief executive officer, UnCruise Adventures.

The Safari Voyager will provide viewing for the eclipse as well as a celebratory toast with the crew before sailing to Ranguana Caye and departing the following day for Las Escobas Rainforest and Tapon Creek Nature Reserve. The vessel will then call in Guatemala to visit the Kekchi Mayan community, before continuing to Punta Gorda and Payne’s Creek National Park.

The Belize Eclipse cruise is suitable for both children and adults aged 8 to 98, with rates beginning at $6,900 per person.

Source: https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/28261-uncruise-adventures-unveils-2023-belize-eclipse-cruise.html

“The reason for USS Jackson’s visit here is our bilateral relationship and partnership with Fiji that goes back many decades to World War II. For all of us, we are finally coming out of this terrible pandemic and it gives an opportunity for dear friends and equal partners to join together to ensure a free and open Indo Pacific,” said Paparo.

Fiji Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau welcomed Jackson’s visit, saying it helps towards strengthening maritime security and bilateral relations between Fiji and the United States.

Cmdr. Michael Winslow, Jackson Gold Commanding Officer, welcomed aboard the distinguished guests, including the President of the Republic of Fiji Ratu Wiliame Katonivere.

“We are extremely happy to be here in Fiji, and I thank everyone in the city of Suva for the warm welcome. I am reminded of the importance of relationships that we maintain and the teamwork it takes to accomplish missions at all levels,” said Winslow.

In addition to hosting a reception, the Jackson Gold crew participated in local community engagement activities while in port. Sailors volunteered at a local retirement home, where they conducted beautification and gardening projects, and played a soccer game with Republic of Fiji Navy Sailors.

Jackson is underway supporting Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI), a Secretary of Defense initiative that improves maritime security and maritime domain awareness by enabling U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement personnel to conduct maritime law enforcement operations from U.S. Navy assets to enforce the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Convention and suppress illicit activities.

LCS are fast, agile, mission-focused platforms designed to operate in near-shore environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. LCS are capable of supporting forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe.

Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3 comprises four amphibious squadrons, 11 amphibious warships, and eight naval support elements including approximately 18,000 active-duty and reserve Sailors and Marines. As Deputy Commander for Amphibious and Littoral Warfare, U.S. 3rd Fleet, Commander, ESG 3 also oversees the 14 littoral combat ships under Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 1 and Mine Countermeasures Group 3. ESG 3 is postured in support of U.S. 3rd Fleet as a globally responsive and scalable naval command element, capable of generating, deploying, and employing naval forces and formations for crisis and contingency response, forward presence, and major combat operations focusing on amphibious operations, humanitarian and disaster relief (HADR) and support to defense civil authorities (DSCA), and expeditionary logistics.

Source: https://www.cpf.navy.mil/Newsroom/News/Article/3160230/republic-of-fiji-hosts-us-pacific-fleet-commander-and-littoral-combat-ship-uss/

Satellite communications specialist, IEC Telecom today announced its participation at the upcoming Saudi Maritime Congress (SMC) to be held on September 28^th to 29^th at the Dhahran Expo in Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. With 30+ countries participating, the two-day event offers a platform for regional and international decision-makers to discuss the latest trends in maritime investments, offshore developments, smart technologies, sustainability regulations, and more. As part of its speaking engagements at SMC, IEC Telecom will focus on the soaring demand for digital solutions across the maritime sector in the region and the importance of elevating operational efficiency via network management systems and IoT-based solutions.

Saudi Arabia’s maritime sector has doubled in the past decade with 53,000 ships operating in it, registered in 150 countries and carrying 11 billion tonnes of cargo annually. Ranked 20^th globally in the maritime transport industry and scoring the highest regional progress in the Maritime Connectivity Index in 2021, the country forms the perfect backdrop for the leading B2B event for maritime and logistics sectors in the Middle East.

Nabil Ben Soussia, Group CCO, IEC Telecom Group commented, “We have seen a major shift in demand for satcom solutions and digitalisation in the region’s maritime industry. A decade ago, our business was geared towards the provision of voice services. Today, it is about data. From 2012 to now, the average service package has increased six-fold from 350 MB to 2+ GB. “Earlier there was a significant technological divide between onshore and offshore operations, whereas today specialised applications that are powered by satcom bring a wide range of services, such as remote maintenance, telemedicine, and live video-based training, to where the crew spends most of their time – onboard vessels at sea. These remote services optimise operational efficiency by 30%, a cumulative result of enhanced logistics, decreased fuel consumption, and improved crew welfare.”

Between January 2020 and March 2021, the average daily data consumption per vessel in the global commercial shipping sector has nearly tripled. Moreover, the global maritime digital products and services market is reportedly worth $159 billion, which is 18% ahead of pre-pandemic estimates. In 2022, this market turnover is predicted to be three years ahead of pre-pandemic forecasts. Reflecting this positive outlook, Saudi Vision 2030 has set a target to make the country a global logistics hub. Saudi Arabia is investing heavily, in the range of $8 billion, in its seaports to modernise infrastructure.

“With this rapidly evolving digital landscape, connectivity isn’t only about doing more. It is about utilising digital products for smarter workflow, seamless communications, and sustainable environment-friendly processes. IoT-based solutions enable real-time decision-making to optimise routes, vessel functions, and maintenance schedules, and reduce operating costs,” Ben Soussia added.

A recent analysis by Accenture showed that a digitally reinvented shipbuilder can reduce operating costs by up to 20% in five years while increasing revenue by up to 15%. To reap the benefits of digitalisation, vessels need to stay connected at all times, despite all challenges including harsh weather conditions at sea. Smart network management systems like OneGate by IEC Telecom offer a solution with state-of-the-art technology that operates in a multi-network mode, securing automated VSAT/MSS/GSM failover. Management can be performed from onshore via a cloud-based control panel, and the captain can also keep an eye on vessel operations via an easy-to-use local dashboard.

In addition, OneGate assures continuity of service by enabling advanced cyber security. The terminal segregates crew and corporate networks, eliminating the risk of cross-contamination. The vessel’s critical applications hosted on the corporate network also remain fully operational even if the seafarer’s link is down.

“Smart glasses are the new big thing in the techno-world. Hands-free solutions are being quickly adopted across many industries, and the maritime sector is no exception. For instance, our latest wearable solution, OneAssist empowers crew members to stay connected with the onshore team via video streaming, enabling troubleshooting, consulting, and e-learning in real time. This means that a wide range of functions, previously delivered exclusively onshore, can now be accessed from the vessel at any time of the journey,” Ben Soussia commented.

While video solutions are designed to offer situational awareness for a fast response, IoT technology, an important component of digitalisation, focuses on empowering decision-makers with data-driven suggestions. From performance tracking to asset safety, IoT sensors scan all types of data relevant to ship management, enabling the crew to optimise routes and decrease fuel consumption. This eventually leads to lower emissions, paving the way for a green future. “Today, connectivity has a direct impact on decarbonisation in the industry. At IEC Telecom, we are proud that our solutions contribute to this major agenda,” Ben Soussia added.

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has set targets for the shipping industry to reduce its carbon emissions by 40% by 2030. As part of a partnership with Saudi Arabia, three agreements with funding of $509,000 have been allocated to reduce emissions and manage biofouling by ships. With paradigm-shifting projects such as OXAGON, the world’s largest floating sustainable industrial district, and the recent blockchain-backed structured shipping documentation technology, where Saudi Customs teamed up with TradeLens to monitor a shipment between Dammam and Rotterdam, Saudi Arabia is gearing up to be the world’s premier maritime hub.

The prospects for the growth of the Saudi maritime and logistics industry are promising over the next five years, with economic diversification, policy reforms, and foreign direct investments (FDI) that are opening up the economy to an era of digitalisation. IEC Telecom aims to be a partner in Saudi Arabia’s commitment to developing its maritime trade, expanding into new economic cities, and digitalisation of vessel operations with its reliable connectivity solutions.

The prospects for growth of the Saudi logistics industry look promising over the next five years as economic diversification, policy reforms, tax regimes, and foreign direct investment (FDI) policies are shifting in favor of an open economy and encouraging private investment.

Source:  https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/05/19/2446777/0/en/Saudi…

The shipping industry is one of the oldest industries in the world and its vast range of shore-based and at-sea job roles offer a huge variety of career opportunities. However, a global labour shortage means that there is strong competition from other industries for new talent.

To attract that talent, we first need to understand what motivates the next generation. Deloitte’s 2022 Gen Z and Millennial Survey provides some interesting insights. In uncertain times, the survey puts cost of living and climate change as top current concerns overall.

Where selecting an employer is concerned, work/life balance and learning/development opportunities are the top criteria, closely followed by salary and benefits. However, diversity and inclusion, and the societal and environmental impact of organisations were also shown to be key factors when it came to retention; many respondents said they would turn down a job if it failed to align with their personal values.

Developing Future Leaders

To attract the next generation of leaders, shipping would therefore be well advised to redouble efforts to collaborate with educational institutes so that training and career development paths reflect today’s priorities.

The work WISTA does to support women in shipping is relevant here as it facilitates Continuous Professional Development and encourages training courses which help equip women and others with the skills they need to progress in their careers.

WISTA Hellas, for example, is working closely with prominent educational institutes and offers full and part-time scholarships which are available to any woman working in the maritime industry. Courses of note include the ALBA Graduate Business School’s MBA in Shipping, an MSc in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from the BCA College and the University of Piraeus’ MSC in Ship Management. We have also partnered with the ALBA Graduate Business School to provide a Leadership Programme specifically for women in maritime.

At an international level, WISTA International and the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) offer five scholarships each year for the Institute’s Foundation Diploma, and last year WISTA International launched the Maritime ShEO Leadership Accelerator Programme in partnership with the IMO. The Accelerator Programme provides women with the management knowledge and skills they need to progress into leadership positions while also creating visible role models within the industry.

There are also several other initiatives designed to encourage students and young maritime professionals. For instance, in Greece, the Young Executive Shipping (YES) Forum provides a platform for open dialogue between the industry, students and young professionals to bridge the generational gap and to share knowledge and experience. Again, Isalos organises a range of industry events to promote opportunities in the maritime industry in addition to hosting an online careers platform for cadets.

Others are also responding: the Maritime Port Authority in Singapore recently appointed 18 students to be the first MaritimeSG Youth Ambassadors; and the City of Rotterdam has established a Young Maritime Board to participate in the Rotterdam Maritime Capital of Europe programme.

Addressing Recruitment Challenges

In the more immediate term, we need to look no further than recent experience to understand other, underlying issues.

The 2021 BIMCO/ICS Seafarer Workforce Report predicted that by 2026, there will be a need for almost 90,000 additional STCW certified officers as demand for seafarers to operate the world’s merchant fleet continues to outstrip demand. The situation was surely exacerbated by Covid-19, which exposed or highlighted unappealing aspects of the career at sea.

For example, work/life balance, crew connectivity, security on-board and differing legal systems around the world are just some of the challenges faced by seafarers which can have a negative impact on job satisfaction or crew retention.

As an industry, we need to find solutions to provide seafarers with greater support such as implementing work patterns that increase shore leave; investing in policies and processes which promote greater diversity and inclusion by creating the right environment onboard for everyone; ensuring existing crew receive training and can upskill as new technologies are introduced; and ensuring a safe and secure working environment for all.

Digitalisation and New Technologies

Finally, the introduction of new technologies should also create new roles which are more in tune with the skill sets of the younger generation, making the industry a more attractive option, particularly when digital solutions are being used to address issues such as decarbonisation.

The demand for digital skills within the global workforce will only continue to increase and we can see this being translated in school curriculums where there is a greater focus on STEM subjects and the introduction of computer coding at primary levels of education.

Digitalisation also provides a level playing field: going forward, my prediction is that more women will be recruited into maritime technology roles, where both men and women are equally qualified to embark on such a career.

We have an ambitious and tech-savvy cohort of young professionals with a desire to make a difference within our reach. But as an industry we must act; together we have a responsibility to raise awareness of the array of opportunities on offer within shipping and to actively engage with the next generation to secure a sustainable future for the industry.

Source: Elpi Petraki, President WISTA Hellas

A fresh sequence of strikes have ben announced for the UK port of Felixstowe, the UK’s largest for container traffic

Fresh strikes have been announced from September 27th to October 5th after 82% of surveyed members of the Unite union, which represents 1,900 blue-collar workers at the port, rejected a 7% pay offer.

The union has asked for a pay rise to match the UK’s inflation rate, which is predicted to hit 13% later this year.

Felixstowe handles near to 50% of the UK’s containers and the recent eight-day strike in late August, caused significant disruption.

“We are very disappointed that Unite has announced this further strike action at this time. The collective bargaining process has been exhausted and there is no prospect of agreement being reached with the union,” the Port of Felixstowe said.

The planned Felixstowe strike will coincide with a two-week walkout by Liverpool port workers which is set to start on September 19th.

Source: https://insurancemarinenews.com/insurance-marine-news/date-set-for-new-strike-at-felixstowe/

Around 1,500 military and civilian personnel from NATO and partner countries are gathering in Portugal this month for two maritime exercises aimed at testing the interoperability of new maritime unmanned systems. Both exercises are being held in areas around the Troia Peninsula.