On Thursday, 31^st October at Gazebo Mare – Cyprus Marine Club Limited (C.M.C.L) hosted RIGHTSHIP from Greece for the first presentation for the Cypriot shipping community.

RightShip is the world’s leading Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) focused digital maritime platform, providing expertise in global safety, sustainability and social responsibility practices.  Founded with the mission to drive operational improvements in the global shipping industry, more than 600 customers use RightShip’s due diligence, environmental and inspections services to help them manage risk and improve overall maritime safety standards on shore and at sea.

The presentation for CMC members was delivered by Mr. Kostis Antonopoulos , Associate Director for the Easters  Mediterranean Region of RightShip and it was titled : “RightShip – Influencing behaviours  in ship operations aiming for zero harm”.

Mr. Antonopoulos has studied Mathematics and Naval Architecture. He cofounded FORTHnet SA, the first internet provider in Greece in 1987 and then switched career to Shipping. He held technical positions in Greek Shipping companies and then he moved to the Middle East for 14 years where he managed shipyards. He returned back to Greece as managing director of a Shipping company with a fleet of 30 bulkers and tankers and since Oct 2022 he has held the position of Associate Director for the Eastern Mediterranean region of RightShip.

In the  presentation, Mr. Antonopoulos presented RightShip, the world’s leading ESG focused digital maritime platform, providing expertise in global safety, sustainability and social responsibility best practice. He depicted the methodology that RightShip uses to enhance the quality assurance of ship operations based on the pillars of ESG. Analyzed how, by working with RightShip, Charterers and other industry stakeholders are supported in making decisions in an environment that is a constant state of flux, protecting their business from risk.

He explained how the Crew Welfare code of conduct is  emphasizing rights in the MLC that are not being adequately enforced, covers rights and issues that are important to seafarers but not currently covered in the MLC and how  It can be used by both charterers and ship owners/managers.

This was followed by an analysis of the three layers of due diligence that RightShip offers to their clients: The Safety Score, Vetting and the  RISQ based Inspection. In the  description of RightShip’s Safety Score, Mr Antonopoulos explained how this lagging indicator of relative safety performance works and how it is used by the industry in the day to day decisions. He then talked about the Trade Check -an algorithmic screening – and Vetting, a process where a combination of data analytics and human expertise is used to assess the suitability of a vessel for a particular voyage and cargo. A presentation followed of RISQ-based physical inspection on board drybulk vessels, what triggers such an inspection, how this is conducted and he gave advice on how the vessel manager must handle this. He presented data on the effectiveness of Vetting and RISQ Inspections which materially demonstrate that the risk associated with the vessel is considerably reduced.

The last pillar, the environment  followed, with GHG rating. This is the intelligent indicator of RightShip which compares the design relative fuel efficiency of similar vessels. Mr Antonopoulos explained how this indicator works and how the industry stakeholders use it to ensure compliance with their respective decarbonization strategies over their supply chains.

Following that, Mr Antonopoulos presented two new developments by RightShip. The first was PSC RISK IQ, an AI backed analytical tool which helps the vessel managers mitigate the risk associated with a PSC inspection and the second was the  Document Management Centre, a service which will greatly enhance the efficiency of the vetting process for Charterers and vessel managers.

The President of C.M.C.L Cyprus Marine Club Limited , Capt. Eberhard Koch, in his opening statement,  welcomed all Guests and new Sponsors of the Cyprus Marine Club:-Prevention at Sea (Gold Sponsor) as well as ARTO Real Estate (Iridium Sponsors) and thanked  them warmly for the support.

New Members of the Club were also warmly welcomed by the President and the enthusiastic  audience :-  Corporate Members of the Cyprus Marine Club: S-Trust Shipmanagement (Corporate Member); Mr. Wallid Cassim, Ms. Mihaela Radu and Ms. Rebecca Preiss ( INDIVIDUAL Members)

The President has further announced the exciting schedule for the next few months, emphasizing that the registration for the Club’s last event in 2024, had opened. The event is scheduled for December 3^rd   with the special guest Mr. Julian Bray, Tradewinds Editor in-Chief who will discuss shipping markets and the journalism with the guests.

The enchanting presentation of  Mr. Kostis Antonopoulos brought on further burning questions and vivid discussion among an enthusiastic audience, who explored interesting topics with our speaker and continued sharing their thoughts during the dinner.  The event was very well attended, including key shipping personalities / shipowners.

The C.M.C.L Cyprus Marine Club Limited is a non -profit company by guarantee that  embraces and encourages a plethora of maritime industry stakeholders for friendly membership. Ship Owners, Ship Managers, Crew Managers, Service Providers & Suppliers, Agents, Terminal Operators, Legal and Financial and more, come together with a focused effort to promote and celebrate the Cyprus maritime industry and share experiences.