YOU can always tell the true character of a person or organisation when a crisis breaks. Reacting to the unforeseen, accidents or unwanted disclosures inevitably highlights the strengths, or more commonly the weaknesses, of those involved.
Just this week, there has been an outburst of schadenfreude at the sight of Elliot Spitzer, the so-called 'Sheriff of Wall Street', being caught quite literally with his trousers down in an FBI probe of a prostitution ring.
Yet, despite his alleged involvement in the scandal that threatens to end his promising political career, at least he had the good sense to make a brief and remorseful public statement. His strength of character shone through, in spite of all the evidence that suggests he is an appalling hypocrite, having previously cracked down on other prostitution operations.
Compare that to BIMCO's handling of the sacking of its secretary-general Carsten Melchiors on Tuesday. The Copenhagen-based shipowners’ association broke the news with a terse three paragraph statement that announced the re-appointment of Torben Skaanild as a safe pair of hands to replace Mr Melchiors.
The only reference to the reasons for the reshuffle spoke of Mr Melchiors being 'relieved from his duties with immediate effect', which evokes clear implications of severe tensions at the top of the organisation, or even worse.
BIMCO president Philip Embiricos was unwilling to discuss the reasons or context for the sacking in detail, apart from hinting at disagreements over strategy. In essence, BIMCO said nothing of substance.
Should we be concerned at this lack of candour? Some will say few in the business of shipping will really care because organisations such as BIMCO only play a marginal role. There is certainly some weight to that cynical view.
However, as BIMCO proclaims itself as the 'the world's largest shipping association' it has a leadership role for its members to show that it can live up to its constant claims that shipping is a modern and sophisticated industry.
There is also a moral need for transparency. Membership organisations need to win respect if their voice is to be heard. And if shipowners are being urged to enhance transparency, then their associations need to be especially open.
Those issues are about the style, rather than the substance of the matter, however.
BIMCO members and the rest of the shipping community expect greater clarity over fundamental questions. Has BIMCO's strategic direction changed? What decisions were taken at its recent executive council meeting in India? Is speculation of a renewed effort to merge the global shipowner associations correct? Could BIMCO move to London if it merged with the other members of the ‘Round Table’ — Intertanko, Intercargo and the International Chamber of Shipping? And what exactly is the agenda of the four Greek heads of those organisations? At present there is a vacuum of silence on all those questions and many more that need to be answered.
BIMCO has in the past bent over backwards to choreograph precisely management changes years in advance, so Mr Melchiors’ abrupt departure is indeed a crisis. And the character being shown so far in the face of such a crisis is far from impressive.
Comments (1)
Comment by
Spitzer & BIMCO Bill Gray
- Wednesday 12 March 2008
Hi Julian,
I am very sorry to hear of the dismissal at BIMCO and the way it seems to have been mis-handled. It speaks badly of the people responsible which is a shame.
I do object,however, to your compliment about Spitzer's handling of his disgraceful behavior. Eliot Spitzer has repeatedly proven himself to be an evil, self-serving man as Attorney General wrecking the careers of many good people in totally illegal fashion "Try them on TV" rather than through legitimate legal channels. I hope Spitzer fries down under.That is what he deserves.
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