From the grounding of Ever Given in the Suez Canal to the capsizing of Golden Ray and the cargo fire aboard Freemantle Highway, there are valuable insights to be gained from these headline-grabbing incidents.

In my upcoming presentation, I will delve into the details of these calamities, drawing on public investigation findings to extract deeper insights across four key areas: alignment, transparency, capabilities and accountability. We will explore the challenges faced during these incidents, such as the need for better alignment of interests, often for society or affected communities, the importance of operational continuity and the necessity for transparency in emergency planning.

My analysis will not only highlight the specific lessons to be learned from each case but will also offer targeted recommendations for enacting international standards, requiring auxiliary remote monitoring systems, formalising drills and mentorship and establishing minimum reporting thresholds for cargoes on board.

I also aim to foster a discussion around linking these key learnings into updated regulatory frameworks, upgraded training requirements, improved data transparency, renewed design priorities, and most importantly, strengthened emergency response readiness. It is clear that as casualty situations continue to evolve, we must be prepared to navigate turbulent waters and reinforce the importance of our damage control measures.

I look forward to engaging in a thoughtful dialogue with my peers at the ITS 2024, 21-23 May in Dubai, and discussing how we can collectively apply these invaluable lessons to catalyse progress across the shipping industry. Join me as we reflect on these recent calamities and work towards building a safer and more resilient future for our industry.