CCFI FLEET OFFICERS MEETING DECEMBER 2016
CARDIFF CREWING FILIPINAS COMMITTED TO CONTINUOUS DEVELOPMENT
As the shipping market and much of the global economic climate continue to be uncertain, businesses are expected to double their efforts in order to maintain their status or at least survive until the economy regains its strength.
Companies that are committed to continuous development and proactive in serving their stakeholders see opportunities in this otherwise difficult situation.
For Cardiff Crewing Filipinas, Inc. (CCFI), these times provide the company an opportunity to evaluate its performance and be innovative in developing programs and activities that are responsive to the current trends of the industry.
Part of its initiatives is the conduct of the 2016 Fleet Officers Meeting last December 8 at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Manila. Such meeting with management and crew has been a regular activity of the company, with presentations and discussions updated according to their relevance to the participants.
The daylong conference formally opened with a message from Capt. Theodoros Alegkakis, Owner’s Representative of CCFI, welcoming the participants and introducing the executives and guests from the Cardiff Group of Companies – TMS Tankers, TMS Bulkers, TMS Dry and TMS Cardiff Gas.
He likewise made an overview of CCFI operations, primarily the company’s vision to offer quality services, operational safety and environmental protection in the marine shipping industry.
Mr. George Kourelis, General Manager of TMS Tankers/TMS Cardiff Gas, then presented a brief profile of the companies under the Cardiff Group, which provide comprehensive ship management services including technical management and supervision of maintenance, inspections and repairs, safety, quality and environmental compliance, crew management and training.
According to Mr. George Laou, General Manager of TMS Bulkers/TMS Dry, the Group’s different companies support each other in overcoming market challenges. “As a diversified group, we have companies with different markets and specializations which can support each other, working on each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” explained.
Mr. Laou likewise facilitated the discussion of major incidents. The discussions focused on identification of factors that caused the incidents, as well as lessons that could be learned from them.
Guest presenters were also invited to lecture on relevant topics. Mr. Anthony Stanton of MER Solutions made a presentation on common causes for ship detention in Australia. While Dr. Maria Lourdes Quetulio, Medical Director of Ygeia Medical Clinic, lectured the seafarers on practices for good health.
Safety and Environmental Management System were likewise main topics in the meeting, as the two general managers lengthily discussed them in the afternoon. “Cost efficiency is a major factor in implementing our safety and environmental management system,” said Mr. Laou. “We have to be innovative in coming up with solutions and we should invest wisely in order to maximize our resources,” he continued.
Other presentations were made by Mrs. Yanna Laskari, Crew Manager of TMS Bulkers/TMS Dry, highlighting Cardiff’s five years of active presence in the Philippines; Capt. Stuart Fraser, Training Consultant of CCFI, providing pointers on fire drills; and Mr. Christos Stefanidis, Crew Coordinator of TMS Tankers, giving updates on fleet expansion.
The daylong meeting culminated in an open forum among the presenters and participants, summarizing the topics discussed and generating comments and suggestions from the seafarers on how to continuously improve operations.
On the evening of the next day the Cardiff Group and CCFI hosted a Christmas party for seafarers and families at the grand ballroom of the Pan Pacific Hotel. The festivities were highlighted with dinner buffet, entertainment, games and raffle prizes. More than a celebration of the yuletide season, it was the companies’ way of thanking the seafarers for their hard work and dedication, as well as a positive outlook for the year ahead.
Mr. George Kourelis, General Manager of TMS Tankers/TMS Cardiff Gas, then presented a brief profile of the companies under the Cardiff Group, which provide comprehensive ship management services including technical management and supervision of maintenance, inspections and repairs, safety, quality and environmental compliance, crew management and training.
According to Mr. George Laou, General Manager of TMS Bulkers/TMS Dry, the Group’s different companies support each other in overcoming market challenges. “As a diversified group, we have companies with different markets and specializations which can support each other, working on each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” explained.
Mr. Laou likewise facilitated the discussion of major incidents. The discussions focused on identification of factors that caused the incidents, as well as lessons that could be learned from them.
Guest presenters were also invited to lecture on relevant topics. Mr. Anthony Stanton of MER Solutions made a presentation on common causes for ship detention in Australia. While Dr. Maria Lourdes Quetulio, Medical Director of Ygeia Medical Clinic, lectured the seafarers on practices for good health.
Safety and Environmental Management System were likewise main topics in the meeting, as the two general managers lengthily discussed them in the afternoon. “Cost efficiency is a major factor in implementing our safety and environmental management system,” said Mr. Laou. “We have to be innovative in coming up with solutions and we should invest wisely in order to maximize our resources,” he continued.
Other presentations were made by Mrs. Yanna Laskari, Crew Manager of TMS Bulkers/TMS Dry, highlighting Cardiff’s five years of active presence in the Philippines; Capt. Stuart Fraser, Training Consultant of CCFI, providing pointers on fire drills; and Mr. Christos Stefanidis, Crew Coordinator of TMS Tankers, giving updates on fleet expansion.
The daylong meeting culminated in an open forum among the presenters and participants, summarizing the topics discussed and generating comments and suggestions from the seafarers on how to continuously improve operations.
On the evening of the next day the Cardiff Group and CCFI hosted a Christmas party for seafarers and families at the grand ballroom of the Pan Pacific Hotel. The festivities were highlighted with dinner buffet, entertainment, games and raffle prizes. More than a celebration of the yuletide season, it was the companies’ way of thanking the seafarers for their hard work and dedication, as well as a positive outlook for the year ahead.
