Curtains to raise on Crew Connect Global

Recognised as the world’s leading marine crewing conference, the 3-day event includes a supplier showcase and global awards, ending on the night of 14^th November.

According to Seatrade Maritime Group Director, Chris Morley “As new industry and geopolitical challenges shape the future of shipping, the urgency to provide for the seafarer of tomorrow continues to gain momentum.  Our 3-day agenda covers the most important issues, opportunities, threats and challenges that the shipping industry needs to consider.”

Asked if attendees can expect anything new at this year’s Crew Connect Global, Chris added: We are debuting ‘The Big Debate’ which will take place in the afternoon of 14^th November and in this exciting first, the audience will be transported into the world of a parliamentary-style debate.  The audience will be divided on opinion and a series of speakers will try to convince them that they should be for or against the motion: “This house believes that AI will transform the role of seafarers within 5 years”.

Chaired by Seatrade Emeritus, Chris Hayman, 3 debaters will speak for and against the motion before being opened to the audience to make their decision.

 “We have used the debate format on several occasions in the past in London, Singapore and Dubai and have found it to be an effective way of stimulating discussion on an issue of strong interest, and a means of engaging the audience. Expect some lively discussion!” 

Another ‘first’ is a series of Staying Connected episodes which put the importance of international standards through the lens of a seafarer. In addition, a new Communication Case Study has been added which will allow delegates to hear firsthand from a shipowner/operator about how they manage crew access to social media. Key questions will be asked such as: ‘Can the freedom to use social media to publish a seafarers’ on-board experiences help recruitment and retention metrics? What impact does that access to the digital world beyond the vessel have on morale onboard? And what challenges have they faced?

 This and much more will be explored culminating in the Seatrade Maritime Crew Connect Global Awards and Gala Dinner during which the overall winners will be announced

 According to Chris Morley, Group Director, Seatrade Maritime and organisers of Seatrade Maritime Crew Connect Global: “There were a record number of entries for these awards this year – which illustrates well how significant these are within the industry and the prestige that is held around them for winners.

 “The judging panel had a tough task – the entries were all excellent – but through a transparent and robust evaluation process, we have found our six winners.  Whilst each category was different, each focussed on specific elements of improving the lives and careers of seafarers – which is ultimately what these last few days has been about, to bring together the industry for common causes.”

This year’s panel of judges included: Ben Bailey - Director of Programme, The Mission to Seafarers; Fabrizio Barcellona - Maritime Coordinator, International Transport Workers' Federation and Executive Board Member, World Maritime University (WMU); Francesco Gargiulo - Chief Executive Officer, IMEC; Simon Grainge - Chief Executive, International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) and Andreas Nordseth - Director General, Danish Maritime Authority (DMA).

 The Crew Connect Global Awards is part of the Seatrade Maritime Crew Connect Global 2024, which will take place in The Philippines from 12 – 14 November at Shangri-La The Fort - Manila, and will be co-located with Seatrade Cruise Asia. In addition to the three-day conference, attendees can expect to meet over 60 world-class suppliers and enjoy numerous organised networking events. This year’s sponsors include: ATPI/Qatar Airways; Mintra, IRI/The Marshall Islands Registry; OSM Thome, Ocean Technologies Group, UNIMED and MarTrust