Shipping is "Too Conservative" Says Outgoing DNV GL CEO

Henrik O. Madsen urged the industry to see new legislation as opportunities rather than setbacks.

Outgoing DNV GL CEO Henrik O. Madsen says the shipping industry has being "too conservative," and that he hopes the industry will begin seeing new legislation as opportunities rather than impairments, Shippingwatch reports. 

"The attitude in the industry is mainly that any new regulation introduced is basically negative," he said.

Madsen said that over the years, he has listened to many laments from industry players over new rules, though he believes that many other industries face harsher restrictions than shipping. 

"It's probably a little unfortunate, but also incidental, that shipping is currently facing so many new regulations all at once," he said. 

"Especially with the scrapping and ballast water conventions, it's been very sad to see how slowly things are moving in terms of ratifying the regulations."

He encouraged more companies to become "first movers" rather than sitting on the fence, especially as the industry now has an opportunity to focus on safety innovations again in addition to the current environmental focus. 

"There might be limits, when times are tough, for how much the industry can focus on at once, and then it becomes too much with simultaneous focus on both environment and safety," he said. 

"Some of the explanations behind the growing safety problems also stem from the fact that many seafarers lack the proper qualities and training, that maybe they aren't developing the necessary skills to operate increasingly complex ships and things like that."

It was announced earlier this year that Madsen would be stepping down, with Remi Erikson to take over as Group President and CEO.