Desired soft skills in modern shipping era. A behavioural competencies assessment system in tanker operations towards a safer and efficient work environment

Abstract

This dissertation serves as a partial enquiry into the importance of soft skills in terms of promoting a safer and more efficient work environment with regard to Tankers operations, both on board and onshore. This work investigates the importance of the human element in shipping and reviews the penetration of behavioural management practices – pertaining to the adoption of soft skill-oriented processes – in the safety and quality management systems of ship management companies, and suggests a path toward regulatory compliance and best practices. This work aims presenting the regulatory framework within which Tanker management companies are required to operate. In identifying the pieces of legislation that underpin modern ship management, we first elect to focus on key international conventions including, inter alia, the four pillars of ship management, i.e. SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW and MLC. Furthermore, it focuses on those regulatory bodies directly involved in tanker ship management. Scope and definition of tanker shipping operations and the human element role embodied to them is discussed as well as with the definition of what soft skills entail. Our analysis aims at establishing how to successfully manage interpersonal relationships and getting one’s message across. Therefore, it is argued that on-the-job interplay in a modern workplace environment is the driving factor behind business outcomes. In that regard, we also argue that a workforce instilled with solid knowledge of soft skills leads to tangible results that are echoed in an organisation’s productivity, revenues and overall profitability. Building upon the state of practice concerning the adaptation of soft skills in other industries, we then cast light upon soft skills in shipping operations. We examine the human capital in shipping and the nature of soft skills required for onboard and onshore operations. Tying with the aforementioned regulatory framework we also present how soft skills manifest in legislation relevant to shipping operations. Finally an approach of a Behavioral Competency Assessment and Verification System for Vessel Operators is presented. This approach relies heavily on the work material and issues discussed in the previous chapters and is influenced by the Behavioral Competency Assessment System, of OCIMF and Intertanko 2018 relevant publication.