Pratik Bijlani –
d’Amico Ship Ishima India organised its flagship seminar Beyond the Horizon on 4th & 5th February at Hotel Leela, Mumbai, bringing together ship officers, shore staff and maritime professionals for two days of focused knowledge sharing and forward-looking dialogue. The seminar reflected the company’s continued emphasis on safety, compliance, crew welfare and operational excellence amid a rapidly evolving global shipping landscape.
The event opened with a welcome address by Capt Kulwant Budwal, Executive Director, d’Amico Ship Ishima India, followed by an address from Owners Mr Salvatore d’Amico, Group Fleet Director and Capt. Taiano, Group HSQE Director, d’Amico Group, who underscored the importance of safety-driven learning and collective responsibility across the fleet.
A series of expert-led sessions addressed some of the most pressing challenges facing shipping today. Mr Simon Macleod highlighted recent P&I claims trends, noting a rise in cargo-related claims, particularly in dry bulk, with nickel ore remaining one of the most hazardous cargoes due to liquefaction risks. Emphasising documentation, accurate testing and vigilant onboard practices, he stressed learning from incidents through evidence-based investigation and transparent reporting.
Alternative fuels and decarbonisation featured prominently in Mr Mohamed Jafir’s presentation on marine biofuels. He outlined fuel types, blends and operational considerations, highlighting HVO and biofuels as practical drop-in solutions while cautioning on fuel management, testing and compliance with updated ISO 8217:2024 standards. Safe chemical and gas handling was addressed by Mr. Pradeep Kumar, who focused on practical onboard safety, MSDS awareness, PPE usage and risk planning during cleaning and maintenance operations.
Navigational safety and operational risk reduction were covered by Capt Sachin, who presented data-driven insights from third-party navigational assessments, reinforcing that audits serve as support mechanisms rather than fault-finding exercises. Mooring safety followed, with Capt. Arjun explaining how DigiMoor software uses accurate data and shared port intelligence to prevent line failures and protect lives. Crane and grab maintenance were discussed by Mr. Deependra Singh and Mr Sandeep, who highlighted preventive maintenance, new IMO requirements effective January 2026 and the importance of crew vigilance. Day one concluded with an open Q&A with Capt Taiano, followed by a networking evening and recognition of employees with over 10 and 20 years of service.
Day two opened with a leadership address by Capt Taiano and the Global Contest Quiz by Operations team, before moving into sessions on fleet connectivity, cybersecurity and crew welfare by Mr Vinod Kumar, who emphasised shared responsibility in safeguarding digital systems onboard.
Training evolution and RightShip compliance were discussed by Mr. Alessandro Mura, while data integrity and digital reporting were addressed by Ms. Arya and Mr. Simone Berrettoni, who highlighted how accurate vessel data underpins compliance, performance and commercial decision-making. A candid “Where we stand” session by Capt. Domenico Savio Taiano and Capt. Manpreet Gandhi reviewed fleet performance, inspection challenges and accountability. Capt. Taiano remarked, “Standards are not tested in seminars—they are tested during inspections, and the results depend entirely on what we do on board every day.” Capt. Gandhi added, “In a fast-changing regulatory world, relying only on past experience is no longer enough—continuous learning and strict compliance are non-negotiable.”
The seminar concluded with impactful sessions on injury prevention, near-miss reporting, interactive safety exercises and lessons learned from real fleet incidents, reinforcing that safety culture, learning and discipline remain central to sustainable maritime operations.
Marex Media