Promoting transparency is the key to better understanding between top management and the employees. In keeping with this idea, the ‘K’ Line Ship Management Group organised a two-day seminar at the Hotel Ramada in the city’s upmarket suburb of Powai. The seminar began on December 6 and was aimed at informing ‘K’ Line employees about the latest developments within the company and the group’s plans for the future. The ‘K’ Line Ship Management Group believes in the free flow of information from the top to the lowest rung within; this was its 10th seminar this year, and was attended by delegates from Singapore, Tokyo and Mumbai.

‘Safety in navigation and operations’ formed the most important segment of the conference. Earlier, revealing the plans of the company, Mr Satoru Kuboshima, President of the “K” Line Ship Management Group, said, “We will be replacing the older Container ships with newer ones in the next 2 years. Also we are planning to get into the chemical tanker business by 2011/2012 since possession of chemical tankers has become one of the key issues in participating in energy transportation sector.”

Meanwhile, countries involved in the export of chemical cargos are working towards increasing their market share globally. “We need to get into the chemical trade if we want the company to keep pace with the growing requirements of the industry,” added Mr Kuboshima.

The company is also planning to expand its training programmes at its branches in India. “In keeping with the new STCW convention, we need to expand our functioning and our facilities in India. The plan is in place and we will start the work by next year,” said Captain Gakuro Hosomi, Manager, Seafarers Policy Team, Marine Human Resources Group, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. Kline.

The shipping industry has realised the need for social responsibility and hence every platform is being used to promote environmentally friendly initiatives. In this context, K Line said that it aims at introducing an Economic Slow Steaming (ESS) and a Super Slow Steaming (SSS) fleet. The objectives behind the advancement are control in cost, energy saving and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, all of which can be achieved by moving the ships to super slow steaming. “In order to achieve the objective, “K”-Line will adopt the SSS scheme for all its container vessels built with large engine output. This is as an initiative based on the current world economic situation and environmental issues,” said Mr Roy Chowdhury during his presentation on ESS & SSS on the KLSM Fleet.

Stress was also laid on combating piracy. In addition to the training provided to the employees for averting piracy attacks, a presentation on the same was given by Captain S. Rele during the seminar. The presentation informed the delegates of the various accidents and the preventive measures. Stressing on the need for training, Captain Rele said, “It is important that the officers and crew members are trained well and have regular drills and training prior to their entry into areas of risk.” The two-day seminar covered various topics concerning the crew members of the company.

Teamwork is the key to success. In order to achieve the target one needs to be a team player. KLSM which lays emphasis on safety norms has been facing an average of 4 accidents every year for the last 3 years. Addressing the various accidents that have occurred in the past, Captain P. Rajakumar said, “Accidents cause both monetary losses as well as brings bad reputation to the organisation.”The company aims at achieving a goal of zero accidents in the fleet.

Talking on the expansion plan of the company in India, Captain Toshikazu Saito, Managing Director, Singapore branch said, “The continuous development of new courses and training requirements by the industry has compelled us to go in for expansion of the training academy. The expansion plan includes proper classrooms, a proposed LCHS Simulator, an ECDIS Classroom, equipment for advanced electrical and electronics courses and a real danger sensing course.”

The seminar served as a platform for KLSM employees to interact with the company’s top brass. “We all have doubts and innovative ideas, but the lack of interaction with management makes it difficult to put these forward. The seminar has served as a platform that promoted interaction and flow of information,” concluded Captain Sudhir K. Goyal.