REPORT ON WEBINAR

NAME : YASH

REGISTRATION NUMBER : 1802710182

PROGRAMME NAME : BSc. Nautical Science

INSTITUTE : T.S. Chanakya

TITLE : COVID 19: A DRY BULK LEADERS PERSPECTIVE

DATE : 16th September 2020 (IST : 0530 hrs)

HOST – Ray Girvan (Publisher & Owner of International Bulk Journal- IBJ)

Introduction

Key Speakers :

Paul Pathy, President and Chief Executive Officer, Fednav Limited,

Canada
 Sander Rijsdijk, Director, Bulk Cargo and Shipping, Port of

Rotterdam, Netherlands

H.K. Joshi, Chairperson and Managing Director, The Shipping

Corporation of India

Jan Dieleman, President, Ocean Transportation, Cargill, Switzerland

Morten Løvstad, Global Business Director - Bulk Carriers, DNV GL,

Norway

Rajiv Agarwal, Chief Executive Officer, Essar Ports, India

In this webinar leaders from all the areas related to bulk cargo shipping

gave their views on how they are dealing with this pandemic, how it has

affected their life, how it has affected their crew’s life, how it has affected

their business and what measures they are taking to keep up their work

in such strange times..

Key points discussed

The world being affected with COVID 19 had to adjust itself to changes

because we were ill prepared for this pandemic. Stability had to be

maintained and we had to keep moving forward because if we were to

lack now then the future would have been affected. Human perspective

was put over business because without humans being ok everything else

would make no sense.

Crew change crisis was a major aspect for shipping. General wellbeing of

crew members was of top priority and flights had to be arranged in spite

of everything in lockdown. To keep up with work owners were directly

contacted to minimise the spread of virus. Pilots were given extra care

because they are most vulnerable. Safety measures were taken at every

point necessary.

Financially COVID 19 affected bulk cargo shippers majorly. Since cash

flow is a major aspect in shipping, cash flow was less in these times, From

April to September the bulk trade fall by 9.5% of previous but in the

coming months everything is expected to be returned to normal rate.

To cope up with the new situation digitisation is the major aspect to come

into play. Since during these times physical contact was less digitisation

made its way into the industry. This was a huge saver in these times

because trade cannot stop. It is more efficient, productive and

sustainable. Thus the new normal would see digitisation as an integrated

aspect in shipping as during these times it came out as a boon for the

industry.

Summary

To summarise, professionally this webinar taught us that no matter what

business has to keep going because everyone is counting on seafarers,

however certain precautions have to be considered but the trade never

stops. Personally this webinar taught us to take care of our peers and our
loved ones, support them physically and emotionally. Human aspect

should be above everything else. Mental health issues have risen during

these times and thus it is our moral duty to support each other and keep

moving forward.