Safety
We believe in zero harm to people, the environment, cargo and assets. To realise our vision, we commit to prioritising safety towards our employees, the environment, our assets and cargo.
BW Epic Kosan is committed to zero harm, aligned with the BW Group’s Zero Harm policy. We believe in zero harm to people, the environment, cargo and assets. To realise our vision, we commit to prioritising safety towards our employees, the environment, our assets and cargo – including the prevention of loss of life and human injury. To this end, we comply with all international standards, ensure effective implementation of our Integrated Management System (‘IMS’), and promote a safety-driven culture throughout the Group.
BW Epic Kosan has a designated Health and Safety Committee (Management committee), which meets at least monthly and monitors the implementation and effectiveness of our Integrated Management System, ensuring that we comply with internal safety guidelines and all relevant laws and regulations. The Management committee comprises senior officers, a Safety, Health Environment and Quality (‘SHEQ’) representative, and all crew and officers including non-duty vessel staff. The monthly meeting is also typically conducted during a manager’s inspection.
The meeting dates are planned such that all members of the committee are able to attend through rotation. While the specific meeting agendas may vary, all meetings include the discussion of the following items and their action plans:
- Suggestions from crew and officers to improve health and safety performance
- Identification of any new occupational hazards
- Non-conformances, failures and corrective and/or preventive actions planned, and status updates regarding the implementation of corrective and/or preventive actions previously planned
- Vessel security-related aspects at port and at sea
- Updates on the onboard safety training progress
- Condition of galley, food storage facility, vessel’s sanitation and health matters
An additional Health and Safety Committee meeting is conducted after the occurrence of an accident or incident to analyse what went wrong, and discuss how to prevent its recurrence.
Complying with international regulations
Our health and safety standards comply with these international standards:
- International Safety Management (‘ISM’) Code
- International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (‘MARPOL’)
- International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (‘SOLAS’)
- International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (‘SAR’)
- Maritime Labour Convention (‘MLC’)
- Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators (‘SIGTTO’)
- International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (‘STCW’)
- International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships (‘AFS’)
- International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage (‘BUNKER’)
- International Convention on Salvage (‘SALVAGE’)
- Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (‘COLREGs’)
- Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (‘FAL’)
- International Convention on Load Lines (‘LL’)
Our Integrated Management System
At BW Epic Kosan, we have an Integrated Management System to guide our approach to safety. We have a disciplined approach which covers 10 aspects of safety management, including risk assessment, toolbox meetings, incident reporting and investigation, as well as emergency mangement.
Training and Development
At BW Epic Kosan, we aim to develop a future-ready workforce by enhancing employees’ competencies to adapt and respond to new business challenges in an ever-evolving world.
We are committed to addressing all employees’ training and professional development needs to help them progress and succeed in their careers. We are positive that as long we continue to invest in and engage with our employees effectively, whether on land or at sea, we can future-proof our workforce and allow our employees to thrive at what they do while meeting our business needs.
Training for Employees
As the maritime industry innovates and transits towards digitalisation and automation, employees need to upskill if they are to leverage and use new technologies effectively.
At BW Epic Kosan. we support the development of seafarers’ competency and skills by providing training programmes and courses on topics such as cybersecurity, ship simulator and bridge teamwork, work and rest hours management, and machinery maintenance. For our onshore team, new hires are inducted into the Company with a digital Familiarisation checklist and New Hire feedback form through a system called EngageRocket which helps track their progress over their first 30, 60 and 90 days with us. In 2023, a Competency Framework was launched to provide employees with an easy to understand structure to understand the core competencies required in their job functions to succeed and progress with us.
Cadet Bridging Program
In 2023, we launched a Cadet Bridging Programme, in collaboration with our training partner in the Philippines. This is a programme for aspiring seafarers with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering who wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering and work as marine officers on oceangoing vessels. The programme aims to support them in bridging their competency gap, equipping them with the necessary skills for a successful seafaring career.
Diversity and Equality
Diversity to us means celebrating differences in our skill sets and perspectives, which can help BW Epic Kosan gain a competitive advantage. We invest in our people and view diversity as something extending beyond just gender, nationality and age. With over 25 nationalities working in the company, we consider that providing equal opportunities is a must to remain an attractive employer.
We adhere to all prevailing laws and regulations. Our human resources policies in relation to recruitment, training and performance appraisal are regularly reviewed by the Management. We practise fair hiring based on merit, and do not discriminate based on race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, political affiliation, or any other non‑work‑related characteristic protected by law. We are continually working towards strengthening our workplace culture in order to foster an environment where all employees are treated fairly and with respect, and have policies in place to emphasize this approach.
At the same time, we continue to recognise industry challenges in relation to attracting female talent due to the nature of maritime trade. These challenges include occupational cultural barriers, lack of awareness and knowledge about females at sea, and the slow development of effective policies and strategies aimed at recruiting and retaining female seafarers. At BW Epic Kosan, we are playing our part to address the challenge of gender diversity. Our first Sustainability-Linked Loan holds us accountable for a target number of female seafarers we have in employment, and we have a five-year Female Cadet Program to induct aspiring young women to a career in shipping.
More About Our ESG Activities
Learn more about our commitment to sustainability.
