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optimal level so that they feel more secure and workers are encouraged to quit and discon-
more open to learning, with increased productivity nect from work, seafarers are de facto de-
and better stress management. The above can be prived of this choice. Trying to explain why a
achieved through certain financial benefits that seafarer’s life is difficult in one paragraph is
reward success. Furthermore, living expenses like explaining the ocean by showing a drop
for seafarers or, even better, free time in port for in a bottle. Impossible. I could go on and on
a few hours would be a good way for a company describing the crucial importance of seafar-
to influence the psychosynthesis of seafarers, es- ers’ physical and psychological well-being.
pecially those working away from home on a ship From the moment you go up the ship’s lad-
almost alone and isolated from the outside world. der, you see your well-being declining. Stress,
So, the answer to whether welfare is important for constant work, uncertainty, jet lags, time dif-
a company’s performance is YES. ferences, climate change, and exposure to
dangerous cargo are no exceptions; they are
Chief Engineer Stamatis Charkas part of the deal.
M/T Minerva Marina Is it only hard work out there? Definitely not.
We make the world go round despite the
The well-being of seafarers difficulties, bad weather and challenges of
is a controversial concept at our profession; The answer to your ques-
a time when, although tion is yes, certainly yes.

What does “sustainable shipping”

mean to you?

MINERVA’S OFFICERS SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS THE NOTION OF SUSTAINABLE SHIPPING

Chief Officer Alexios Thomopoulos spective. From my point of view, sustainable ing with international rules and regulations
M/T Minerva Rita shipping is a well-balanced combination of for the protection of the marine
good traditional seamanship practices and environment.
In our fast-changing world modern technologies in a logical framework We are responsible for maintaining the ves-
and industry, threatened by to achieve the common goal of safe sea sel’s engine to meet international inspec-
climate change and a glob- transport, which ultimately leads to the sat- tion standards, minimizing carbon dioxide
al economic and energy isfaction of all parties concerned. The main emissions, managing waste, and preventing
crisis, it is imperative to factors on which sustainable shipping is shipwrecking accidents. Proper systematic
transition to sustainable shipping by taking based are the safety and efficiency of cargo management of the crew’s workload to
advantage of today's tremendous techno- transportation, zero environmental impact, maintain their well-being is necessary. I
logical advances making the IMO 2050 tar- and the human element. believe that a well-rested crew can contrib-
gets feasible. Sustainable shipping will Based on the above, everyone involved in ute to successful maintenance and fewer
benefit the economy and environment de- sea transport, i.e., shippers, receivers, ship- failures to avoid unfortunate incidents.
spite the enormous long-term obstacles. As ping companies and seagoing crew, from
seafarers, we must respect our planet and their position, should join efforts to achieve 2nd Engineer Acierto Clint
contribute toward a more sustainable fu- their individual targets and the common M/T Minerva Rita
ture. As professionals, we are given the op- goal of safe sea transport, despite the ad-
portunity to work on modern ships that use mittedly multidimensional and challenging Green or sustainable ship-
renewable energy sources. A starting point nature of the undertaken mission. ping is the concept of incor-
has been set in anticipation of these devel- porating environmental
opments and information on them. 2nd Engineer Francis Lloyd Moran and social responsibility
M/T Minerva Marina into shipping. Due to cli-
Chief Officer Angelos Angelopoulos mate change, international maritime organ-
M/T Amphitrite Sustainable shipping is the izations have imposed many regulations
incorporation of economic, and restrictions that shipping companies
Sustainable shipping has environmental, and social must comply with to achieve sustainable
several interpretations responsibility. The ship’s shipping; therefore, the shipping industry
and may be determined engine department plays a needs to take action to avoid financial and
depending on one’s per- significant role in comply- operational constraints.

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