Page 11 - SMI Issue 62

You can keep up to date with the latest news on the ISSA website at www.shipsupply.org and send in your comments and views to the ISSA Secretariat either by phone on +44 (0)20 7626 6236; Fax +44 (0)20 7626 6234 or alternatively email secretariat@shipsupply.orgWelcome to the third edition in 2016 of our ever-popular magazine The Ship Supplier which, as usual, is full of news and views of our amazingly diverse industry.This time we are focusing on the continuing difficult trading conditions members are facing. We hope the fall-out from significant shipping bankruptcies will not adversely affect members. Our ISSA Lawyer, Bruce Hailey, is always on hand to advise and assist members along with our ISSA member and good friend Roger Symes from Marine Debt Management.Nearly upon us now is the 61st ISSA Convention & Trade Exhibition and we shall soon be heading to Dubai for our annual premier event where I hope to have the pleasure of meeting many ISSA members who have told us they will be there.It is certainly not too late to register for Convention. Simply visit www.issa2016dubai.com where you will find all the details of Convention and where you can also register to take part.There are one or two sponsorship opportunities still available. Bear in mind our Trade Exhibition will form part of Seatrade Maritime Middle East so you have a unique opportunity to showcase your company to a much larger and engaged maritime audience this time than ever before. There is still the chance to book a stand and be part of this major maritime event.We are busy finalising the Programme but as you will see on the website, we have a fascinating range of topics tobe covered including the advent of the automated ship and what this means for our industry as well as detailed advice on protecting your company from cyber- attack and online fraud.The newly updated ISSA Quality Standard 2015 will be published by the time you read this. Based on - and taking inspiration from - the newly revised ISO 9001:2015 Quality Standard, our new ISSA Quality Standard has received ringing endorsements from the World Customs Organization, InterManager and FONASBA.New associate members have to agree to be audited under the Standard as part of their membership application process. I urge all members who have not done so to consider undergoing the audit and becoming an ISSA Quality member. The cost is low but the benefits are high and we now have well over 500 ISSA members in the programme.You will soon find the new ISSA Quality Standard 2015 online at the usual ISSA web address: www.shipsupply.org.I was delighted to be able tovisit IMPA recently and meet many old friends and ISSA members. Our relationship continues to strengthen which can only benefit our industry.It only remains for me to wish you all success and calm seas in these on- going challenging times and I do hope to see many of you in Dubai in a few weeks’ time.Abdul Hameed Hajah ISSA PresidentForewordDear ISSA Members and Maritime ColleaguesIssue 70 2016 |The Ship Supplier | 9