Today the group visited Vassiliko Cement Works (VCW), which is a cement manufacturer located in Vassiliko, Cyprus. I was impressed to learn that VCW was the first cement production agencies, and is currently the largest production unit, in Cyprus. We learned about the different steps of the process of making cement and the tools that make the operation possible. As a manufacturer in the supply chain, it was interesting to learn about all the micro stops and factors that VCW needs to take into account. For example, learning about VCW’s inventory and storage systems showed me how planned out and exact every detail needs to be. For instance, the company holds up to 30 tons of alternative fuel and 200 tons of clinker or cement most of the time. Our tour of the facility was equally interesting and seeing the production process firsthand was different from any of our previous site visit experiences.

After lunch, the group visited MSC Shipmanagement in Limassol. This site visit was extremely exciting since it is the largest ship management company in the world. MSC is also the largest company in the largest industry in Cyprus. MSC is a multi-billion euro business with around 75,000 ship vessels around the world at any given moment. Throughout the shipping site visits, I have learned that shipping companies are developing practices to replace their environmentally harmful ones. This trend became apparent again in our MSC site visit when they mentioned research on alternative fuels. I appreciated how the company explained that maritime shipping is one of the most sustainable methods of delivery in the Supply Chain, but there are still ways to improve it. The company also told us about the more dangerous sides of maritime shipping. We were told a story of a time when one of MSC’s ships and its crew were taken hostage by a group of pirates. The company had to have a one-month negotiation with the pirates but was able to pacify the situation and have calm conversations with the Pirates. As a result, the company was able to get its employees home safely. I found this extremely interesting since this was the only site visit where we were thoroughly informed of the risks involved in Marine time shipping.