The Navigator Issue 02 | June/ July 2009 Inside: Bibby Ship Management to supply training software View from... Jon Osborne Philippines crewing market insight Update on Maritime Labour Convention SHIP MANAGEMENT SHIP MANAGEMENT NEW LAY- UP PARTNERSHIP WITH GAC LAUNCHED

Bibby Ship Management has joined forces with global ship agency GAC to provide a complete lay- up services product. Dubai- headquartered GAC Ship Lay- Up Solutions ( GLUS) recently visited Liverpool to sign the partnership contract, which will offer shipowners an unparalleled range of services necessary when laying- up a vessel. Bibby Ship Management will provide technical, crew supply and manning services to complement GAC's expertise in logistics and port side management. Swedish company DehuTech AB will provide dehumidification GAC SHIP LAY- UP SOLUTIONS LAUNCHED services as part of the partnership. A complete one- stop shop, GAC will also provide other services such as ships agency, marine logistics and anti- piracy solutions to shipowners through GAC's global network of offices. Stephen Blaikie, business development director at Bibby Ship Management, said: " This alliance with GAC builds on a series of third party relationships that Bibby Ship Management has established over recent months. " GAC's experience complements our ship management, technical and manning expertise very well and allows us to collectively meet The Navigator | Issue 02 | June/ July 2009 CUTTING EDGE TRAINING SOFTWARE COMES TO MARITIME MARKET and crew development and allows us to supplement our offer with an excellent tool. " The CASys software is extremely useful for those companies looking to track the skills and competencies of their personnel, a particularly important element of running a safe, efficient and effective maritime organisation. He added: " The system provides managers with a streamlined way of recording both knowledge and practical application of skills, especially in an environment where formal recording processes are traditionally not in force, such as onboard a rig or vessel. " The software also has benefits for seafarers as they can access their records easily to assist them in developing their careers." The CASys software will be offered by the Isle of Man office of Bibby Ship Management, which also offers extensive crew management and training services. Bibby News ship owners' requirements. " In particular, it allows us to offer specialist skills in addition to our more mainstream offer and moves Bibby Ship Management further towards the goal of being a complete bespoke ship management offering." Christer Sjodoff, group vice president for GAC Solutions, added: " Being able to form a strategic alliance with best in class providers such as Bibby Ship Management Ltd is a privilege that enables us to offer our customers not only an extensive range of locations but also services and equipment required for various types of lay- ups." Leading software developer IDESS IT has chosen Bibby Ship Management as exclusive European distributors of competency assurance package ' CASys'. Bibby Ship Management was appointed by the software house to supply the system, which allows companies to monitor the professional development of their personnel. Maritime companies, especially those operating in the offshore sector, will now be able to purchase a cutting edge package to monitor the skills and competencies of seamen and officers. Bibby Ship Management will be able to offer off- the- shelf CASys packages, draw on its training expertise to plan and implement bespoke versions for customers and offer overall management of the system on the client's behalf. Iain Forrest, competence assurance manager at Bibby Ship Management said: " This arrangement builds on our strength in training See back page for more information ( L to R) Stephen Blaikie ( Business Development Director, Bibby Ship Management) with Christer Sjodoff ( Group VP, GAC Solutions) ( L to R) Christer Sjodoff ( Group VP, GAC Solutions), Ulf Rahle ( MD, DehuTech AB) and Jon Osborne ( MD, Bibby Ship Management) To find out more, please email bibby@ gacworld. com