CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

4.0 INTRODUCTION

Maritime safety is a critical concern globally with major disasters highlighting the need for stringent regulations and vigilant enforcement. In this chapter we will examine the background of the study area, delimitation of the study, problem statement, research questions, research objectives, research hypotheses, significance of the study and lastly conclusion.

1.1 Background of the Study

In the World Maritime safety and security is a global concern in sea transportation. Major maritime disasters like the (MS Estonia in 1994 or Costa Concordia in 2001) highlight the importance of maritime safety. Maritime transport accounting for about 12 billion tons of cargo transported by over 50,000ships sailing through the oceans remains an indispensable means of transportation of goods and contributes substantially to the vitality of international trade and scours without a doubt is much globalized with its uniqueness given that, commercial sail from one jurisdictional water to another. There is, therefore a strong need for international cooperation to accomplish challenging objectives, such as clean oceans, safe ships as well as the competent crew. International Maritime Organization (IMO) and its conventions specifically the International Convention on Safety of life at sea (also known as SOLAS), which is IMO’s basic forum dealing with maritime safety. In addition to SOLAS, the IMO also adopts other measures that may impact maritime safety, either directly or indirectly. Examples are the Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watch keeping of Seafarers (also known as the STCW Convention) and the High-Speed Craft Code (HSC Code). The IMO does not implement or enforce regulations, that being the responsibility of member states The Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) methodology and International Safety Management (ISM) Code aim to enhance maritime safety. To promote a scientific approach to maritime safety, the Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) methodology has been proposed and the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) is tasked to implement this methodology in the years ahead. The International Safety Management (ISM) Code is seen as one of the instruments that would enhance safety for ships that are certified to comply with it. Classification societies and IACS (the International Association of Classification Societies) are expected to play a critical role in that regard. Quality shipping campaigns regard the implementation of the ISM Code as their central pillar Culminant, (2007). In parallel to the IMO, IACS is influential in the development of standards that pertain to safety. To promote a scientific approach to maritime safety, the Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) methodology has been proposed and the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) is tasked to implement this methodology in the years ahead. The International Safety Management (ISM) Code is seen as one of the instruments that would enhance safety for ships that are certified to comply with it. Classification societies and IACS (the International Association of Classification Societies) are expected to play a critical role in that regard. Quality shipping campaigns regard the implementation of the ISM Code as their central pillar (Cullinan, 2007). In parallel to the IMO, IACS is influential in the development of standards that pertain to safety.

In Europe a number of important EU policy documents, of which the most important is the White Paper “European Transport Policy for 2010: Time to Decide”, have put increasing emphasis on maritime safety. These documents make it clear that even though the maritime safety record is considered acceptable, and even though this mode is considered environment-friendly, more is to be done to increase maritime safety even further. for instance, an IMO rule on the strength of transverse bulkheads in bulk carriers, a national regulation on vessel traffic separation, a regulation on the banning of alcohol use onboard, a P&I club rule on liability and compensation, an engine maintenance practice, and, last but not least, the US Oil Pollution Act of (1990), all may be classified under the realm of “maritime safety policy. These marine disasters have been the key drivers for the emergence and development of international maritime regulatory conventions. The inspection regime was implanted into these maritime international regulatory conventions and subsequently regional cooperation on port state control (PSC) was developed (Bang & Jang, 2012). It is necessary to highlight that these PSC regimes exist because some ship owners and flag states use loopholes created by the international nature of the industry to save costs by operating below the minimum safety standards (Ozcayir, 2018).

In Asia Maritime safety is a priority due to incidents like piracy and kidnapping in the Gulf of Aden and Somalia Sea. It was initially a threat to international fishing vessels, expanding to international shipping since the consolidation of states phase of Somalia civil war around 2000. International bodies, such as the IMO and International Labour Organization (ILO), play a role in ensuring maritime safety. Asia is a significant hub for maritime trade and transportation. Countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea have thriving maritime industries. The growth and profitability of these industries are closely tied to safety practices and the use of appropriate safety equipment. Enhance to safety regulations and the implementation of advanced safety technologies positively impact operational efficiency and customer confidence in the Asian maritime sector (Roberts et al., 2018).

In Africa, maritime security has become a priority for most African countries since the early 2000s when kidnapping was on the rise and later in that decade when piracy become a major threat to international trade for example piracy and kidnapping of the cost of Somalia occurred in the gulf of Aden, guardafui channel and Somalia sea. It was initially a threat to international fishing vessels, expanding to international shipping since the consolidation of states phase of Somalia civil war around 2000.

The Republic of Cameroon is a country in central Africa bordered by Nigeria to the West, Chad to the Northeast, The Central African Republic to the East, Gabon, and the Republic of Congo to the South. Cameroon’s coastline lies between the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean. With more than 400km long of coastline, Cameroon has five ports; The Douala port located in the littoral region and handles about 95% of imports and exports for the country as well as some neighboring landlocked countries like the Central African Republic, Chad even the Northern Congo Brazzaville making it a gateway to these countries and a pole of reference at the heart of the Gulf of Guinea (Cameroon National Ports Authority, 2015). The Kribi seaport which is newly constructed and located in the South region of the country with a view to help decongest the Douala port and serves the needs of industrial companies involved in mining, transporting, and receiving heavy types of equipment for mineral extraction and it is also essential for commerce (Port Authority of Kribi, 2018). The Limbe and Tiko seaports which are secondary ports and located in the South West Region of the country essentially designed for the handling of petroleum products for the refinery unit in Limbe and for the export of timber and serve as the liaison between Tiko in Cameroon and Calaba in Nigeria respectively (Cameroon National Ports Authority, 2010). The port of Garoua, located in the Northern part of the country is regarded as a seasonal port and serves the Northern region and neighboring Nigeria (Cameroon National Ports Authority, 2010). With an average of over 1400 foreign vessels calling the ports of Cameroon annually, and given its advantageous geographical location, its objectives over the years have been to make the National a hub in maritime transport, positioning Cameroon as a logistic platform for the Gulf of Guinea (Port Authority of Douala, 2017).

In addition to the above, a number of other important players have key roles in the development, implementation and enforcement of maritime safety regulations. These players include flag states, port states, international bodies such as the European Union (EU), labour organizations such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), the shipping companies themselves, and other maritime related industries (ports, shippers, shipyards, P&I clubs, environment groups, etc. are some the examples of organization that are been created both at workplace and the maritime world, at last, that fight for the safety of workers at all level for the growth and profitability of any company (Adams, 1997)

The maritime industry is not proactive; however, its trend of evolution has always been triggered by major maritime disasters (incidents and casualties) such as The Titanic, Amoco Cadiz, the Prestige, the Torrey Canyon, and the Erica which led to significant marine pollution and many losses of lives.

These marine disasters have been the key drivers for the emergence and development of international maritime regulatory conventions. The inspection regime was implanted into these maritime international regulatory conventions and subsequently regional cooperation on port state control (PSC) was developed (Bang & Jang, 2012). It is necessary to highlight that these PSC regimes exist because some ship owners and flag states use loopholes created by the international nature of the industry to save costs by operating below the minimum safety standards (Ozcayir, 2018).

1.2 Delimitation of the Study

1.2.1 Spatial Delimitation

This study was carried out in DSC Marine limbe located in the Southwest Region precisely in Limbe Cameroon. The spatial scope extends to various maritime enterprises representing a global perspective, allowing for a comprehensive examination of safety equipment’s impact on growth and profitability in the maritime industry.

1.2.2 Temporal Delimitation

The study will determine the impact of safety equipment’s on the growth and profitability of DSc marine limbe over the passed 8 years (2015-2023)

This time period is chosen because it represent the significant of safety equipment’s on the the growth and profitability of dsc marine limbe and is the time DSc marine limbe was created.

1.2.3 Thematic Delimitation

The thematic delimitation of this study focuses on safety equipment’s influence on growth and profitability within maritime companies using DSC marine as my case study. The study emphasizes the impact of safety protocols, equipment, and regulatory compliance on operational performance, financial sustainability, and overall profitability.

1.3 Statement of the Problem

In the maritime industry, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the direct correlation between the implementation of safety equipment and the growth, operational efficiency, and profitability of companies. This gap in knowledge hinders the ability of companies such as DSc Marine, to make informed decisions about investing in safety measures.

DSC Marine Limbe operates in a high-risk environment within the maritime industry, where safety is paramount. While safety equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE), life-saving appliances, and fire-fighting equipment, is essential to ensure the well-being of the workforce and comply with regulatory requirements, the extent to which these safety measures impact the growth and profitability of DSC Marine Limbe remains unclear. Therefore, there is a need to examine and understand the precise impact of safety equipment on the organization’s growth trajectory and financial performance to make informed decisions regarding resource allocation and safety practices.

Also, some people ask questions on how goods are being handled onboard a ship and even with another mode of transport, how safety measures are being put in place and also how they are being carried out in terminal operation. Why is it that safety is important in shipping operation what are some of the effects of this and cant this problem be solved and how? These constraints thus hinder the wellbeing of workers of DSC Marine which has brought hardship to some of the workers during their operation.

Thus, this study seeks to investigate the impact of safety equipment on the growth and profitability of any company using DSC marine as my case study. The various constraints to lack of safety at the work site and the attempted solutions made to improve safety measures at DSC Marine. To find solutions to the stated problem, the researcher seeks to answer the following research questions.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1.4.1 Main Research Question

How the overall impact of safety equipment has affects the growth and profitability of DSC Marine?

1.4.2 Specific Research Question

1. How does the availability and utilization of personal protective equipment impact the growth of DSC Marine Limbe in the marine industry?
2. What is the role of life-saving appliances in enhancing the profitability of DSC Marine Limbe compared to competitors in the maritime sector?
3. How does the effectiveness of fire-fighting equipment influence the overall profitability and sustainability of DSC Marine Limbe operations?

1.5 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

1.5.1 Main Research Objective

To determine the impact of safety equipment on the growth and profitability of companies using DSc Marine as my case study.

1.5.2 Specific Objectives

1. To assess the impact of the availability and utilization of personal protective equipment (PPE) on the growth of DSC Marine Limbe in the marine industry.
2. To evaluate the role of life-saving appliances in enhancing the profitability of DSC Marine Limbe, comparing it to competitors in the maritime sector.
3. To investigate how the effectiveness of fire-fighting equipment influences the overall profitability and sustainability of DSC Marine Limbe operations.