This morning, we visited Bernhardt Shulte and Columbia Group, who are both global leaders in third-party ship management. There are several functions and responsibilities required for ship management, such as making sure vessels are compliant with international regulations, as well as other technical management tasks. Also, both companies require elite recruiting and training to develop their seafarers in case of encountering a real-life emergency. When touring Bernhardt Shulte, I was surprised by the high-tech training simulators they had, which mimicked a real-life ship. Columbia Group also revolves around smart ship technologies such as performance analysis and real-time ship monitoring. One of the most important topics both companies emphasised was the importance of ensuring the crew follows safety and environmental standards. As a Seafarer on board, there are various aspects to consider, such as the long work hours and challenges. Both companies explained how Seafarers are away for around six to nine months, which would make it hard to stay in contact with family. They explained how a lot of Seafarers have to endure mental health, and fatigue when they are away at sea. However, Bernhardt Shulte and the Columbia Group are very supportive of their crew and offer mental helplines and wellness programs onboard the ship. Through months of training sessions, Seafarers must be physically fit, adaptable, and skilled to navigate the ship. There are several roles, ranging from engineers and navigators to cooks. Each person on board has to play their part to ensure an efficient operation of the vessel. Overall, our visits to Bernhardt Shulte and Columbia Group highlighted that both ship management and life at sea don’t solely rely on technology and rules, but on the trust, determination, and dedication of everyone on and off the ship.
