Columbia Shipmanagement (CSM) chief executive Mark O'Neil has revealed how rivals in the sector are cooperating to get through the "wartime situation" caused by the coronavirus.
With travel restrictions making ship visits and crew changeovers almost impossible, managers have had to band together and pool resources.
O'Neil told TradeWinds the company had started to think early on about what they would do if travel was shut down globally.
It analysed how it would be able to get technical and marine superintendents out to ships, and wondered how services could be localised.
"And we thought we needed partners so we can all get through this," O'Neil said.
"I approached BSM, Peter Dohle and Synergy initially and said let's do this on a solidarity basis.
"There's no charge. If you need an engineer here or a crew member there, let's keep a record and then tot it up at the end."
He added: "Now we've got ADNOC and d'Amico on board, but we want to keep this small and manageable."
O'Neil said: "This is everything that should have happened in 2008, but didn't."
He emphasised that companies should not be thinking unilaterally about how they can capitalise on the situation.
Solidarity works both ways
"We are also showing solidarity to clients and to our partners on the supply side, and we're asking them to support us too," O'Neil said.
"It's time to stand up and be counted. Those that don't, might not find themselves our partners in future."
The CEO said stronger client relationships should be forged. "We've been saying to people, we're here if we can help you," he added.
The company's performance optimisation control room can collate what can be done at each port, for example where ships can be vetted.
O'Neil said for example: "A company has said they can supply face masks in Durban, but can they? Has anybody checked?
"We can do our bit and it's right that we do our bit."
Help for crews
Home working at CSM is going well, with just two or three people left at its offices in Germany and Cyprus, but things are harder for crew, with a company freeze on changeovers.
"But we are changing whenever we can," said O'Neil, who sends a weekly video message out to his ships.
"I've told them it's effectively a wartime situation and you guys and gals will have to steel yourselves. There is no certainty, but we will try to get you off as soon as we can," he added.
"We've given crews free and unlimited wifi access for at least three months. Certainly that helps. We will do whatever it takes."
Columbia has set up a mental health hotline with two psychologists on call 24/7 to help them deal with stress, and guide them on how to stay safe and exercise.
The company is also producing videos and training packages.
"I think it's very important. This was in place before Covid-19. Now we've extended this to shore staff because it is a stressful time for everyone," O'Neil told TradeWinds.
"And what happens after the outbreak? You have a society told to distance and then in a few weeks you ask them to come back to work, and some people will have lost loved ones.
"I remember from my army days going up to Scotland and training with the Marines for six weeks. We hadn't seen man nor beast in that time and staff will face similar stresses coming back."
But he is confident Columbia will pull through the trying times strongly.
"The world still needs shipping and it still need managers for those ships," O'Neil added.
