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August 2009 It is well to keep everyone up to date before the full-scale “Silly Season” when most of us take our holidays. Domestic Happenings Ian Bouskill, our excellent IMIF Secretary, who has for so long battled against ill health, has had a bad time recently. Present advice from his consultant indicates that it will be some time before he can resume his regular 3-day week at the office. Meanwhile the office will be open on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday though messages can be left of course on Tuesday and Friday. We wish Ian well meanwhile and look forward to his return. Until then our full complement will be Jennifer and me, only. There is much that could be achieved by Ian “working from home” as it would be a massive blow to lose him completely. There is the sad possibility that he may never be able to return full-time so I ask our Members to consider whether they have ideas on a possible replacement part-time of course. The Dinner This year our Dinner will be Tuesday 10 November 2009 (one week later than in previous years and not Wednesday 4 November 2009 as previously advised). It will, again, be at the Radisson SAS Portman Hotel, 22 Portman Square, London W1H 7BG. We look forward once again to a “full house”. Recent Lunches We seek always to highlight the main current problems confronting our industries and so the recent topics and speakers have been: Piracy on 12 May by Spyros Polemis, inter alia, Chairman of The International Chamber of Shipping (hosted by Norton Rose LLP – Gordon Hall). Issues Facing the Salvage Industry on 9 June by John Noble (hosted at The Baltic by Tsavliris Salvage and Shipping – Andreas Tsavliris). The Criminalisation of Seafarers on 22 June by Mark Dickinson, General Secretary of Nautilus (hosted by Brit Insurance – Simon Stonehouse). Reports on each of the above are attached. The Maritime Industries As for the general state of affairs of the maritime industries, I shall leave my comments for the moment. Briefly, the industries are in trouble. Future Lunches/Events We are in the process of arranging lunches for the autumn. Among topics which will be addressed are: 1 Finance Michael Parker of Citi has agreed to host an IMIF Buffet Luncheon on Wednesday 21 October 2009. He will chose the topic and speaker in consultation with IMIF – to be advised shortly. 2 Shipbuilding The oversupply of shipbuilding capacity worldwide and what is the likely outcome. (NB particularly China and Korea.) 3 Piracy Although we have had a lunch seminar the piracy/kidnapping saga continues and is apparently getting worse. Have nations really got their act together concerning prevention, protection and, most important, Rules of Engagement and appropriate punishment? P (Muku) Mukundan has said that he will be happy to continue the debate on Piracy first started by Spyros Polemis (as reported elsewhere in these pages). 4 Other Topics There are plenty more relevant issues and we would welcome views or suggestions. 5 The Dinner The other firm date as mentioned for the autumn is of course Tuesday 10 November 2009 As in previous years the invitations will be sent out in September, but member tables can be booked in advance by contacting Jennifer Wybrew-Bond
Jim Davis |