Technology has optimized management time

Technology has optimized management time and created flexible working hours

Emphasising on cyber hygiene for a secure shipping industry

As the pandemic hit the globe and forced people to isolate themselves and work from home, a wave of digitalisation and online work took over the world and created a new normal for operations in the industry. Although usage of technology increased drastically and enhanced the efficiency of operations, cyber security became a cause for concern. In such a scenario, organisations were pushed to step up and address these security concerns. Organisations like Constellation Marine Services LLC that is a marine surveying consultancy company that specializes in maritime and energy claims, offshore marine warranty inspection, ship and cargo inspections for principals, insurance companies, charterers, and P&I Clubs supported key industry players through their cyber security solutions.

In conversation with Marasi News, Capt. Zarir Irani, CEO, Constellation Marine Services, stressed on cyber vulnerability as a darker side of digitalisation, and highlighted the company’s approach towards solving the issue.

How do you oversee the shipping industry for the post-covid era?
The post-covid era is going to make the shipping industry more resilient to change than ever before. Having gone through all those issues with seafarers and various other hindrances, the industry has coped with a lot of uncertainties, distress, and mental stress, thus making it much stronger and prepared for challenges. Moreover, I think that the industry has become more empowered by the decision-making power given to senior ship officers on-board with less meddling from managers in the office. Furthermore, the role of technology in the industry will become more prominent with more companies willing to embrace it, thus ensuring a fast-paced advancement in digitalization. Therefore, more resilience, better decision-making on- board, and increased acceptance of technology are my top picks.

The maritime industry has shown exceptional steady growth dur- ing the pandemic, to what extent does that reflect on your compa- ny’s performance?
Our company has had a very good retention rate of clients due to the fact that we stand out of the crowd in terms of deliverance and value proposition, which has always been unique as compared to the others in the business, and has clearly shown benefits. We focus on creating value for our existing clients and it is well known that we provide services that are distinctly different from the “average Joes" of our segment. In the past year, clients have come back to us because of the little extra step we take to prove our worth, create value, and give that little extra service delivery to our regular commodities, which are consultancy, surveying, and cyber security. This approach keeps us ahead of the pack with an ever-increasing market share. Over the years, we have seen growth, and our team has expanded despite the difficult times.

How much of an impact do you think that advancement in tech- nology has caused the shipping industry?
Advancement in technology has optimised management time, and has created flexible working hours for professionals, which is seen in offshore and onshore working habits. Moreover, despite the extra stress that the shipping staff has gone through while accepting massive changes during the pandemic, including the difficulties -aces by them in getting off their ships on time after finishing their duty, they have fought hard and have ensured that minimum disruption is caused to a new monster that we have created by the work from home culture that has been developed, and that is cyber vulnerability. The cyber hygiene of individuals has come forth and it has created a new risk that every shipping company has to cope up with. Cyber vulnerability is here to stay and with it comes the need to enhance cyber hygiene amongst everyone involved. We have a service vertical to address this through our Abu Dhabi office and have seen a robust response.

How do you foresee the future of automated vessels?
I see potential, but in the distant future, perhaps 2050 and beyond. However, automation is an ongoing process. It is growing every single day, and if you were to see it after a couple of years, you would realise that it has grown a lot. Automation is already happening and is prominent in the industry. It happened when the Global Maritime Distress and 'Safety System (GMDSS) took over, and when weatherfax started coming in, so that is automation in progress. Therefore, automation is like a growing child; if you see this child in 2050, you will end up seeing a grown- up and automated industry rather than it being noticed everyday as we are in it and monitoring it everyday.

In your opinion, how actively did P&I companies take part in the road to recovery of the maritime industry?
Insurers have always kept the clients’ interests at the forefront. They are the risk undertakers, have always had the change and dynamics of the industry ahead of themselves, and have always been in tune with it as much as asset owners have thought of it. Insurers have delivered to their expectations and the proof is in the pudding. The IG P&I group, which insures over 90 per cent of the world's tonnage, has retained that tonnage even in these difficult times. So, in other words, the fixed premium buzz that has been picking up in the past couple of years has still not affected the majority of the world’s tonnage, which speaks volume about how well the insurers have been performing over the years. Therefore, IG P&I clubs have always tried to offer their services to suit the industry s macro-economic conditions and have adapted well to retain the majority of their 3rd party insurance market which constitutes over 90 per cent of the world›s tonnage. This speaks volume of them adapting well to the conditions prevailing around them.1

Team Constellation a highly professional Team Constellation a highly professional Team Constellation a highly professional Team Constellation a highly professional Team Constellation a highly professional Team Constellation a highly professional Team Constellation a highly professional & experienced Master Mariners, Naval Architects, Tanker Masters, Engineers, Consultants, Marine Asset Valuers and a team of Qualified Surveyors with expertise and experience in different areas of marine activities offering round the clock services to the clients in shipping and insurance industry with direct presence at all sea ports in UAE and with offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Fujairah just a call away from these ports. Constellation has international offices in UK and Singapore and associates all over Middle East and UAE, London, Holland, Germany, West Africa, Cape Town, Oman, China, Singapore. Survey, Inspection,investigation Risk and Root Cause Analysis Load Test of Lifting Gears Certification Mrine & Insurance Clam Consultancy Vessel Valuation Dry Cargo Bulk Break Bulk Project Cargo Dry Container Survey Draught Survey Pre-shipment Condition Pre-shipment Condition Pre-discharge Condtion Pre-dischsrge Condition Stuffing Unstuffing Stow Cargo Damage Surey Loading Discharging Survey Taly Cagrgo Container Damage Sampling & Analysis Damage Short Landing Survey Dangerous Cargo Survey Pre-shipment Condition Stowage Plan Preparation Reefer Container Short Landing Investigation Cargo Hold Inspection Truck Inspection Lashing & Securing Certification Pti Inspection Survey Loading off Loading on Board Stowge Supervision Container Condition Survey Supervision Uld Inspection of Hatch Covers Temp Set. Vent Inspection Cargo Hold/hatch Inspection Cargo Land Transportation Stuffing Unstuffing Stow Weighment Witnessing Cargo Damage Investigation Reefer Cargo Damage Survey Sealing/unsealing Short Landing Investigation Reefer Cargo Damage Investigat Bunker Survey Petroleum On Hire/off Hire Rob Survey Vessel Tank Inspetion and Certification On Hire Off Hire Bunker & Condition Survey. Petrolem Prduct Quantify Survey Sampling & Sealing Prduct Loading Dischrging and Sampling Witnessing Sample Lab Analysis. Cargo Contamination Investigation Magnetic Compass Adjustment & Deviation Card Hull & Machinery Damge Survey Sts Operation Ism, Isps and Mlc Audits Project Cargo Transportation Loading discharging Marine Warranty Surveys Project Management & Decommissioning Supervision for Off Shore Structures Rig Moves, Location Approvals and Off Shore Warranty Inspection Prior & During Moves. Heavy Cargo Lifting Plan Review, Preparation of Stowage& Lashing Plan Towing Arrangement Plan and Tow Approvals. Collision Damage Survey, Repair Cost Estimation and Investigation P&i Pre-entry Vessel Conition Surveys Hull & Machinery Conditon Surveys Root Cause Analysis of Maritime Accidents. Issuance of Charterd Engineer Certificate for Export Machinery. Valuation Pre-purchase Conditiion Surveys & Sea Trials Marine Vessel Condition Inspection&valuation Vessel Valuation. Valuation Marine Asset, Machinery& Equipment Constellation Marine is managed by four board members UK, connected with various facets of the marine business like Maritime Law & Marine insurance individually. Constellation Marine Surveyors & Consultants are independent and professional in every of our conduct. take up appointments for ship owner, trader or insurance companies Constellation Marine has registered offices in UK, Singapore and Middle East specializing in Maritime and energy claims, offshore marine warranty inspection, ship and cargo inspections for principals, insurance companies and charterers and P&I Clubs as our main principals instructing us repeatedly global company with branches in Dubai, London, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Yemen Liason offices at Germany, Holland, China, west South Africa.