International Journal
on Marine Navigation
and Safety of Sea Transportation
Volume 1
Number 2
June 2007
213
Risk Management – Do We Really Need it in
Shipping Industry?
K. Szymanski
Dorchester Atlantic Marine Ltd, Isle of Man
ABSTRACT: A risk management is an important step in protecting workers and business, as well as
complying with the law. It helps you focus on the risks that really matter in workplace – the ones with the
potential to cause real harm. In many instances, straightforward measures can readily control risks, for
example ensuring spillages are cleaned up promptly so people do not slip, or cupboard drawers are kept closed
to ensure people do not trip. For most, that means simple, cheap and effective measures to ensure most
valuable asset - workforce - is protected. The law does not expect to eliminate all risk, but Companies are
required to protect people as far as ‘reasonably practicable’.
1 INTRODUCTION
This seems to be simple however Maritime
Universities all over the world are not training their
students in the Risk Management. Is this because
concept is too new? Or is it too trendy? Or maybe
we don’t need this in Shipping Industry.
Well I am afraid we do need it and Oil Majors
and the other Front Line Shipping Companies base
their operations around Risk Management.
I am also of the opinion that: “There is an urgent
need to create simple, understandable and workable
Risk Management process suitable for shipping
companies”.
Different companies are using different methods
and variety of tools and techniques. It is not my
intention in this article to elaborate on them. However
what I would like to do is raise the Training Centres
awareness and highlight the existing problem – lack
of training syllabus for Risk Management for Students
of the Maritime Universities.
2 WHY DO WE NEED RISK MANAGEMENT?
Maritime Universities and other training Centres are
preparing junior and senior officers for the shipping
industry. Students find their first employment with
different shipping companies. They start as cadets
and than slowly, or actually not so slowly anymore,
climb the sea career ladder.
Immediately upon arrival on board of their first
vessel they face numerous hazards, which if not
explained properly and in time may become serious
risks, risks for the student himself / herself, the
vessel, environment and the Company.
It seems obvious that Risk Management should
be trained alongside Navigation, Cargo handling,
Engine Maintenance, English and other subject
currently taught at training centres.
As an employer of young officers we have
realised that safety awareness of our new employees is
something, which requires our immediate attention.
We would like to pass this best practice to the
Universities, which in our opinion are best suited to
provide complete training of the prospective officers.
214
3 HOW IS IT DONE?
In order to manage the risk a Risk Assessment has to
be carried out, this can be either qualitative or
quantitative, addressing the hazards associated with
the activity and determining the likelihood of the
incident. In many cases a simple qualitative
assessment will identify a suitable course of action
to manage the risk. The Risk Assessment Matrix
(RAM) provides a tool that can be used in such an
assessment. Students are taught the techniques and
through the workshop type of activities practice
newly acquired knowledge. To make the learning
process more attractive the “egg throwing” exercise
has been invented. Although it sounds a bit drastic
and naïve, last five years of training proved that this
method is widely accepted by all students who
manage to grasp the concept fairly quickly.
It is important to show students real life examples
they are familiar with and allow them to apply the
theory during the workshops.
Our experience shows that one day workshop,
supplemented by the lecture does the trick. It has to
be stressed that in order to be successful, the theory
has to be closely related to the students experiences.
Therefore we are using different exercises when
dealing with cadets and completely different when
Senior Officers are taught.
4 HOW ARE THE UNIVERSITIES / TRAINING
CENTRES GOING TO BENEFIT?
Of course they are going to benefit. Firstly their
students sailing on board of the Training vessels will
be safer and will take greater care of themselves and
others.
Secondly when sailing on board of commercial
vessels will be able to actively participate in the Risk
Management process. They would give a very
positive impression to their new employers and
colleagues. We all know how important is the first
impression.
Thirdly it would boost their confidence, being
fully familiar with processes found on board. Every
shipping company is obliged to comply with Code of
safe Working Practices, where Risk Management
plays crucial role.
I think we should not waste more time –
lets manage the risk of not having our students
trained in
… Risk Management. Let us start as soon
as possible.
