As usual the program was very informative and inside full. For the first time medics has been introduced in the panel. A part from this vessel owners and security experts were there who are mostly work in virus exposed environment. Below topics are discussed thoroughly. I will mention my review in every topic.
- Operational challenges for vessel owners in the submarine cable sector, permits, crew and logistics.
Operation has been challenged mostly according to panel. COVID-19 spreads using its hosts from country to country across the globe. Submarine cable industry is global activity. Its permits, crew and logistics are closely involved with local government, regional and international norm. Permit is an issue of carrier and manufacturer with vessel owner. An example explained by speaker that approaching ship would not anchor in the required port in case of Singapore and Taiwan. It is very difficult. Permit requires a point to point both side clearance. If one side is not permitted on time then it is a mess.
Supply chain management is major threat in pandemic situation. Getting access in drydock in very tough and availablity of manpower and suppliers become a real challange. Maintaining stable cash flow and keep it continuous is facing problem in this environment.
Submarine cable is a Just-in-Time industry. Every supplier must active together to keep process flow rolling. This is a big logistic related challenge in pandemic period.
- General health of the marine supply chain both now and looking ahead.
Right now there is a collops in the supply chain. As a result continuous monitoring and development is under process. New cost burden on the company for home office logistic, salary disbursement are some of the issues pop up. Access in the dry doc , availablity of man power, stable cash flow and supporting suppliers of critical equipment, precission equipment and tiny intricate component are some of the exemple of marine supply chain disturbance right now.
- COVID-19 screening, protective equipment and risk mitigation strategies for offshore operations.
A detail has been explained from definition of the virus to its mitigation. Front line workers , health workers, law and enforcement authority every body works together to face the situation. Luckyly this is a lazy virus to go for action. So, infected host gets lot of time to take protective measure. Isolation-testing-isolation-final result and then embark the vessel right now ship owners are following. But it takes at least 24 hrs to get the test result which has an impact on project time line. When ships are leaving the port it must the infection free. it would be very difficult if infectious virus host found in the vessel when it is very far of the port like in the middle of the pacific. Washing hands, continuous( 3 times ) temperature monitoring, social distancing & use of PPE are some of the very important protective measures for crue and on bord personnel.
Screening, PCR testing, antibody testing on board vessel, cleaning of the vessel durring operation and helicopter pick up service of the suspected crew are some of the professional service available in the industry right now.
- For up and coming projects in regions requiring special security, how COVID-19 impacts those measures.
Upto now COVID-19 is dominated in northern hemisphere mostly. Eventually it would spread far and beyond. In case of AFRICA and other region lession learned protective measures can be taken. COVID-19 means wash your hands first!
- With the expectation that restrictions will start to ease, what would “normal” look like for vessel operators and what changes could we expect or hope to see in the future?
Vessel operators do a very critical job in the industry. Some of their activity is highly engineered and on-time like route development. To meet those demand they have increased satellite bandwidth, using drone and other new technologies. Cost effective new experience would be adopted after things NORMAL look like.
- What changes have been made during the current restrictions that will continue when we return to the new normal, i.e. what has been improved during the restrictions?
There are many positive experience in pandemic situation. Yes, it is clear now that virtual ripping is possible. Submarine cable industry customers are happy for such practical potential. Virtual reality is cost effective. Stack holders need not to fly to meet each other for important business deal. At the same time this situation is environment friendly, less CO2 emission.
Weds 20th May, 9am EST
Guest Moderator:
Alasdair Wilkie, CTO Marine, Digicel and Chairman of ACMA
Speaker:
Dr Paddy Morgan, Medical Director, SSI Energy
Speaker:
Duncan Higham, Managing Director, SSI Energy
Speaker:
Bruce Neilson-Watts, Managing Director – Telecoms, Global Marine Systems Ltd
Speaker:
Shiun Jye, CEO, Asean Cableship PTE Ltd
Speaker:
Didier Dillard, CEO, Orange Marine and Elettra
Speaker:
Graham Evans, Managing Director; Global Subsea Cable Business at EGS & Chairman International Cable Protection Committee