Asia-Pacific and Middle East & India joint webinar

Our Asia-Pacific and Middle East & India Committees joined forces once again to host a webinar on 23 June.

IMCA held another successful and well-attended joint Asia-Pacific / Middle East & India Regional webinar on Wednesday 23 June. This is the second time the two regional committees have successfully joined forces to hold an interesting and short but very worthwhile webinar. On this occasion, there were 155 delegates present, listening to four short presentations, followed by a panel Q&A session. 

The webinar was opened by IMCA CEO Allen Leatt, who brought us an overview of IMCA strategic themes in an ever-changing world. He covered developments in the marketplace, and how they have driven the recent review of IMCA strategy, held after consultation with a wide range of stakeholders from amongst our members, their clients, IMCA committees and the secretariat. He outlined a number of strategic options for IMCA, as the association moves towards becoming the global reference for developing all forms of marine energy resources. He concluded by bringing to members’ attention the IMCA Recommended Code of Practice on Environmental Sustainability, which will set expectations on our industry for managing key environmental and climate topics associated with marine construction.

Jason Standing of ADNOC delivered a technical presentation on integrated HSE surveillance in shipping & maritime logistics – the use of CCTV and artificial intelligence for remote monitoring of the workplace in the context of making it a safer place to work. A remote command and control centre has been created, designed to keep people, communities, environment and assets safe from harm while ensuring regulatory compliance. The system uses machine learning to monitor input from many cameras in the workplace, to log or capture high risk activities. He noted that the system, as a proactive and real-time  means of monitoring of safety and security, had increased employee morale, participation and accountability. 

Alessio Lombardi of Global Maritime spoke about the concept of remotely witnessed DP trials, a subject close to the hearts of many IMCA members. He noted that this was not a new process – the pandemic has acted as an accelerator of a digital transition that was already taking place. He went on to cover the difference between remote testing and remote witnessing, the concept of the independent witness, and some details of recent pilot projects. He concluded by noting that the process was not intended to replace actual offshore witnessed DP trials, but can provide a reliable alternative as in the current circumstances, where travel restrictions are in place, or when vessels are operating in locations that are logistically challenging.

Graeme Reid, IMCA Technical Adviser, was the fourth speaker; he brought an interesting update on the Continuous Professional Development App for DPOs and key DP personnel. His presentation looked at the background to the scheme, developed in collaboration with the Nautical Institute, and briefly covered the content and procedural arrangements for the scheme’s deployment and use. His summary noted that this well-received App enables the user to focus on important industry guidance, satisfies vessel owner/operator CPD requirements, promotes safe DP working practices for the benefit of all in the DP community, and helps our industry to achieve its aim of ensuring safe and efficient DP operations.

Information on this scheme can be found on our webpage – see below.

The four presentations were followed by a Q&A session chaired by IMCA technical adviser Ali Macleod. Members’ questions were taken and answered by the panel before the webinar closed after a little over one hour total. The webinar was recorded and is below with a pdf of presentations.

Event Information