Heading for change - Alandia

In this podcast episode we have the pleasure of being joined by Dr Linda Sorensen, who shares her extensive knowledge on how people function in safety critical industries. We discuss the need to focus more on the socio-technical system that seafarers operate within and gain some insight on why we must think closely about just culture, training, and the onboard work environment. Despite having tried to engineer out the human where possible, people are still a vital part of maritime work systems and for this reason we need to prioritise an understanding of human factors.  To gain valuable knowledge from one of the industry’s leading experts, click play now!  

In this podcast episode we are joined by Lena Brandt from DFDS. Lena is a Deck Officer (qualified Master Mariner) and project manager who bridges the gap between ship and shore by working in both positions! She has taken part in the LASH FIRE and ELBAS projects and is currently training the DFDS fleet in the use of upgraded firefighting equipment for electric car fires.If you want to get a well-rounded view of what we know today about EV fires from reliable research and testing, and hear some straightforward mythbusting, listen to this podcast!

This is the third and final podcast in a three-part series on ESG. In this episode Senior Loss Prevention Manager, Martti, and Loss Prevention Executive, Stephanie, discuss the pivotal role that Loss Prevention plays in reaching ESG targets. Covering a little of all three areas (the E, the S, and the G,) we look at sustainability through a loss prevention lens and analyse our contribution. 

This is the second podcast in a three-part series on ESG. In this episode we are joined by the Head of Marine Claims here at Alandia, Johan Henriksson, who paints a picture of how the hull and machinery claims team works with ESG in their daily processes.  Having explored Alandia’s integration of the UN Principles for Sustainable Insurance in the previous episode, we now dig a little deeper into what that looks like in daily work routines. Claims handling is a core function that must be consistent in reaching high standards, but how does ESG affect the process? Does it change the way we work with our customers and yards/service providers?Listen in to hear the answers to these questions and more! *Note: Although Alandia also offers fixed P&I insurance, due to time constraints this podcast takes a focused approach in concentrating mainly on H&M as the spearhead of the business. We intend to release P&I related materials soon to address this important and complex area of our work!

This is the first podcast in a three-part mini-series on ESG. In this episode we are joined by Alandia’s Communications Director, Marina Stenfors, who gives us an overview of how Alandia as an insurance company commits to ESG goals. In the Spring of 2021 Alandia joined the UN Principles for Sustainable Insurance (as the second Finnish insurance company to do so), and we ask Marina to explain how ESG is rooted at the core of the business and how it is being integrated throughout the company.  Listen in to gain some insight on ESG in marine insurance, and don’t forget to come back for the next episode in this three-part series where we will look at ESG from a claim’s perspective!

In this podcast episode we have the pleasure of being joined by Unni Einemo, Director of the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA), who shares her extensive knowledge on the world of bunkers. We discuss marine fuel as a whole and take a look at how different stakeholders play their part. We also hear about how issues are being handled at the IMO, where Unni is a representative, and get some insight on the uptake of bunker licensing schemes and mass flow metering systems.  To gain valuable knowledge from one of the best experts in the field, click play now!  

During this podcast we listen to the perspective of a Marine Surveyor on the topic of hatch cover maintenance. As our subject matter expert, Kaupo Püvi is a former seafarer with experience of sailing on general cargo ships. He now works for Van Ameyde Krogius where he is involved in loss prevention and damage surveys which frequently address hatch covers.In this episode we discuss some of the common pitfalls that go against recommended best practices, the importance of training and knowledge, and the need for better shoreside support from the Shipowner to achieve proper maintenance and repairs.Listen in to be better informed on hatch covers and their maintenance!

In this podcast, we are joined by Getter Kaevandes, a marine surveyor with a story to tell.  As highlighted by BIMCO’s 2021 seafarer workforce report, women represent less than 2% of the global seafarer workforce, and as a former deck officer, Getter is in this minority bracket. But why is the gender imbalance so huge, even in today’s modern age?  In this podcast, we hear about some of the experiences that push women to leave seagoing positions, and in some cases, deters them from having a career at sea at all. It brings into the spotlight how big of an issue harassment at sea is, and how present it remains. We are very grateful to Getter for sharing with us and hope that it will help provoke some action toward making the shipboard environment a safer and better place for women to work.  

This month we focus on improving the safety of mooring operations; one of the most routine and dangerous tasks for those both onboard the ship and quayside.To gain insight from two different perspectives, we discuss the topic with a marine surveyor and a rope manufacturer, giving a broader view of where we are at present and where we are heading in the future. Almos Boldizsar is a former deck officer with plenty of first-hand mooring experience, who has come ashore into the role of Marine Surveyor at Van Ameyde Marine in Rotterdam, where he is now involved in condition surveys and investigates various mooring-related incidents. He is passionate about safety awareness and about creating open human connections.Veronika Aspelund has 18 years of experience in shipping, beginning her journey at Norwegian ropes manufacturer Timm, where she gained industrial-related skills ranging from sales, marketing, operations, and business development. When Wilhelmsen acquired Timm in 2015, she was put in charge of managing the mooring ropes product portfolio, and now in her present role as Ropes Business Director for Wilhelmsen Ships Service, Veronika is instrumental in the ongoing development of safer and sustainable rope solutions. Between them, Almos and Veronika give us plenty of useful information about rope selection and maintenance, research and design developments, and upcoming regulatory changes. Have a listen! 

In this episode, we celebrate World Maritime Day by interviewing Svetlana Ormane. Svetlana works as a Claims Handler at Marine Underwriting Services in Riga. She has seagoing experience as an Officer and an education in Maritime Management from Chalmers University. Svetlana is interested in different cultures and can speak 6 languages!  In this podcast Svetlana talks openly about some of her experiences and about the benefits of working in the Maritime Industry, promoting this career choice. Keep listening for an interesting discussion.