Ship managers fret over weak freight rates

   A survey of ship managers finds that low freight rates and a challenging market are their top concerns as they enter 2013.
   The survey from the International Ship Manager’s Association, or InterManager, found half citing freight rates and the market situation as an important issue. Thirty percent cited the availability of professional and competent staff, and 20 percent education and training.
   Intermanager said it’s planning new initiatives this year “to address training and recruitment matters, including a young executives group to encourage and support the industry’s rising stars.”
   InterManager President Gerardo Borromeo, who took the organization’s helm last October, said: “Today’s young executives are tomorrow’s leaders and we want to do all we can to support them and help them to develop their leadership qualities.
   “The human element is key to successful ship management and we must ensure we work together as an industry to raise standards and to encourage good staff – the best and the brightest – to enter and stay in shipping,” he added.
   The InterManager survey of ship and crew managers found piracy and the smooth and successful introduction of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) are also concerns for ship managers. – Chris Dupin