(NEWS) Three Øresund Region Maritime Institutions Join Forces on Maritime Governance & CSR

May

2013

Three Øresund Region Maritime Institutions Join Forces on Maritime Governance & CSR

A collaboration between three major Øresund Region maritime institutions was formalized on 3 May. “The Danish Shipowners’ Association (DSA) has partnered with the Danish Maritime Authority (DMA), under a funded grant by the Danish Maritime Fund, to engage the World Maritime University (WMU) in a unique project on Maritime Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The aim is the development of a core model course for all WMU Master level specializations and to extend it to outreach activities as a Professional Development Course and seminars adapted to special circumstances in specific international locations”, stated WMU President Björn Kjerfve.

WMU President Björn Kjerfve announced that, over the next three years, the WMU will design, test, and deliver a Master’s level course in Maritime Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility (MG&CSR), which is a growing focus of maritime higher education. The course will be developed to a high academic standard offering a strong knowledge base of MG&CSR policies and initiatives, including best practices for the shipping sector in developing regions.

The project will include collaboration with interested shipping industry and maritime administrations towards the creation of both a research network and a distinctive library database of maritime experiences on the topics of MG&CSR hosted at the World Maritime University in Malmö, Sweden.

“CSR is an increasingly important part of many shipping companies’ business models, and many companies are engaging in substantial CSR initiatives. However, at a certain point individual companies reach a level where further strengthening of the CSR agenda depends on the engagement of other stakeholders, e.g. customers, maritime administrations and port authorities. The DSA believes that this project will be a fruitful platform for further CSR inspiration not only to the industry, but of equal importance raise the awareness of the challenges in the maritime markets of operation among the stakeholders”, says Director General, Peter Bjerregaard, DSA.

Director General Andreas Nordseth of the DMA looks forward to the work and sees the project as a facilitator for the elimination of red tape in connection with port State controls and port calls. Furthermore, Andreas Nordseth adds: “The combination of MG and CSR is a powerful tool for a better understanding between the international shipping community, port State authorities and port authorities.”

Mogens Schrøder Bech, Head of Division at the DMA, Jan Fritz Hansen, Deputy Director General at the DSA, and Maria Bruun Skipper, Senior Advisor at the DSA, are the project representatives for their respective organizations and stated that they are pleased to collaborate with a team of WMU faculty, led by Vice President Academic and Professor Neil Bellefontaine and Assistant Professor Lisa Froholdt, to promote the MG&CSR project and its global outreach objectives. The project is expected to run through early 2016.

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