Notwithstanding the allegations by HRAS mention RightShip and other entities, our response below represents RightShip’s perspective only.

RightShip’s approach

The approach adopted by RightShip is indiscriminate. We operate our Platform and deliver services primarily to charterers of Dry Bulk, Tanker and Dry Cargo vessels on a strictly objective basis across safety, environment, and social aspects.  Our standards are periodically updated and are applied consistently. We do not differentiate between customers and non-customers in how we evaluate and treat entities in our industry assessments, but use data and facts. To do so on any other terms would effectively render our platform and services meaningless.

Our position is that much more can, and must, be gained by co-operation and collaboration, which we will continue to champion with industry partners sharing aligned value sets.

We have the utmost respect for any organisation seeking to enhance seafarers’ conditions. This is a core element of RightShip’s purpose and of particular relevance given the backdrop of the most challenging working conditions many seafarers have experienced in recent years, where crew change policies and practices have negatively impacted the lives of these essential workers.

Furthermore, there should be due respect that many organisations are acting toward improving the industry, from many directions. We therefore see no value in publicly admonishing those seeking to do so, and we continue to work across the industry to strengthen standards, performance, and verification across safety, sustainability, and crew welfare in line with our vision to create a zero harm maritime industry.

About Crew Welfare and the Code of Conduct

SSI and its members including RightShip, designed the Code of Conduct to assist Document Of Compliance holders to benchmark and improve their overall crew welfare standards and performance. RightShip has facilitated, within our platform, the self-assessment process, which provides a mechanism to capture evidence for verification as Managers progressively improve their support for their seafarers.  Our approach is, and always will be, to work proactively with maritime industry stakeholders to increase standards. This goal is why we foster strong relationships with the SSI, IHRB and many other organisations having similar and complementary philosophies.

HRAS is entitled to its opinion, and we encourage a plurality of views. Change is always incremental and never at a pace those calling for the change desire. Publishing unhelpful comments seeking to admonish those organisations that make efforts to improve standards is not likely to encourage other organisations to join the effort.

A range of HRAS opinions have been put forward, requests for an agreement through an MoU and unvalidated assertions made by HRAS. Some relate to RightShip, some fall outside of RightShip’s scope, and some relate to other entities.  Irrespective, we engaged in conversations with HRAS in good faith and understanding that our views and ideas would be given a fair hearing. It is worthy of note that HRAS had, during those meetings also requested funding from RightShip. This had the feel of a rather odd fund-raising tactic.

HRAS were further aware that SSI was considering its feedback to the list of HRAS questions posed and were due to reply to HRAS by the end of that same week. HRAS published its views against the backdrop of clarification previously provided.

Notwithstanding, and in relation to RightShip, HRAS published their opinion following confidential discussions held over a period where we clarified HRAS’s misunderstandings as to our role, which is to collaborate within the maritime industry to strengthen standards. We further explained we are facilitating the self-assessment tool to assist Managers to identify areas where change is required.

Subsequent Steps

We were disappointed with the approach adopted by HRAS.  We feel rather than compete for attention, organisations working towards the betterment of conditions for seafarers should instead unite in their quest to truly make a difference to those essential workers. Ideas and initiatives to improve seafarers’ rights are likely to come from a broad spectrum of the industry inspiring improvements through dialogue as opposed to a single actor with little room for collaboration.

RightShip responded directly to the Chair of the Trustees of HRAS on 21st February 2022, expressing our disappointment in the approach taken by them, and made our position clear to their Chair.

This included encouragement to collaborate with industry leaders, rather than shun those who elect not to contribute funding to HRAS activities. RightShip has offered the Trustees the opportunity to discuss this matter directly.

Finally, we opine that no value is derived from engaging in a public debate on these matters and we will maintain our focus on helping industry partners strengthen standards across safety, sustainability, and crew welfare. We believe real action above debate is required to improve the safety and wellbeing of the seafarers.