Category: <span>Executive Notes</span>
Posidonia Proves Crew Welfare is a Top Industry Concern
Earlier in the month I visited Athens, Greece, for Posidonia 2024. This year’s conference was the busiest edition yet, with nearly 33,000 attendees from 130 countries. As one of the premier events on the maritime calendar, Posidonia has the power to make a real impact on our industry. Key themes this year included decarbonisation, alternative…
What Mental Health Awareness Means to the Maritime Industry
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so let’s talk about why mental and emotional wellbeing are so integral to the future of the maritime industry. Mental health issues affect every dimension of personhood: From cognitive functions, like focus and decision-making, to emotional factors such as temper, mood and sensitivity, to a wide range of physical…
Seatrade Recap: Smooth Sailing for the (Foreseeable) Future
Earlier in the month, more than 11,000 people gathered in sunny Miami Beach for Seatrade Cruise Global, a conference that attracts representatives from the world’s leading cruise lines, suppliers, ports and destinations. It’s now safe to say that the cruise industry is back in full swing following the pandemic, with operators expecting more than 36…
Tracking the Healthcare Resource Impact of Artic Cruising
VIKAND Associated Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Karl recently had a chance to present findings from a joint study between VIKAND and the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO), titled “Cruise vessel healthcare in the Arctic region and local community impact”, to attendees of AECO’s Joint Arctic SAR event in Iceland. The catalyst for this…
OneHealth by VIKAND Launched at US Embassy in London
Earlier this month, VIKAND celebrated the launch of OneHealth with an event at the United States Embassy in London. The evening brought together key stakeholders to discuss our shared goal of mitigating risks to health at sea and safeguarding the viability of the shipping industry. In my remarks to attendees, I outlined how the maritime…
This Year, It’s All About Partnership
After a strong 2023, the team at VIKAND is more excited than ever for a successful 2024. The big theme this year is Partnership, as we leverage our network for the greater good of the industry and continue to seek partners who advocate for and support the health and wellbeing of crew members and guests.…
Reflecting on the First IMO-ILO Conference
Reflecting on the First IMO-ILO Conference By Dr. Sebastiaan Kalwij (Medical Director) & John Prell (Assistant General Counsel) On 13 November, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) held their first joint conference on Work at Sea. As VIKAND’s Medical Director and Assistant General Counsel, we had the chance to participate…
Takeaways from AECO’s 20th Anniversary Conference
Dr. Karl Bergsten, Associate Chief Medical Officer, recently attended the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) 20th Anniversary event in Oslo. AECO is a voluntary cooperative organisation of cruise lines working largely in the European arctic, including Greenland and Svalbard. Here are Dr. Bergsten’s impressions and takeaways from AECO’s annual conference: Day 1 There…
Insights from London International Shipping Week
London International Shipping Week (LISW) is quite different from other large shipping exhibitions. Instead of happening in one large space, it consists of hundreds of events, discussions and roundtables spread across the city, giving stakeholders an opportunity to connect on a range of critical topics. This year’s LISW was excellent, as always. Reflecting on my…
It’s Time to Revolutionize Maritime Recruitment
With 90% of global goods transported by sea, commercial shipping remains the clear leader in trade transportation. Yachting and cruising are also experiencing unprecedented demand, with the yachting industry doubling and cruise passengers increasing by 90% over the past two decades. Amidst the rising demand, the challenge of securing a sustainable workforce has intensified. For…