Quality shipping: mechanisms for safer shipping and cleaner oceans
Master Thesis
Author
Dionopoulou, Maria
Διονοπούλου, Μαρία
Date
2020-12View/ Open
Abstract
This paper serves as an enquiry into the importance of quality in the shipping industry in combination with the necessary safety and protection of the marine environment. Quality in the field of shipping is not only about the product but also the services, the procedures, the staff and in general with everything involved for the correct execution of the desired results. In order to have profitable results and achieve the goals, each action, system and materials must be possessed by quality. Through a detailed description it becomes clear how important quality is in the field of shipping. An interesting issue that often comes into conflict with the required quality in shipping is that of safety. In order to achieve the necessary safety, this automatically entails an increase in costs. Safety requires continuous training and information of staff (on board and in companies), modern navigation systems and technology as well as many other important safety issues that are extensively analyzed in this dissertation. Many shipping companies choose to reduce safety in order to respond as well as possible to quality. When safety issues arise then the procedures are more time consuming and costly. However, it has been observed that when safety is neglected, accidents occur. For this reason, rules and laws were created by the International Maritime Organization and many other organizations that oblige shipping companies to comply with and implement specific safety measures. The International Safety Management Code, the Safety Management System and the International Organization for Standardization describe in detail the obligations of each shipping company. In recent years, emphasis has been placed on environmental protection. Seawater needs immediate treatment as its pollution is high and dangerous for many animals, plants and even humans. Maritime accidents are known to cause enormous ecological disasters, but this does not mean that the passage of ships in the oceans has far-reaching effects on the marine environment. At this point, great reference is made to the ecological disasters caused by shipping in order to understand the severity of the situation as well as the ways to deal with them. In this regard, relevant legislation has been established that requires shipping companies to take measures to protect the marine ecosystem.
These issues are particularly important for many reasons. Initially, for a shipping company as they determine its competitiveness in the field and its survival. Then, for the safety of personnel and goods and finally for the protection of the marine environment which directly and indirectly affects the whole world.