We are delighted to announce that Mehrangiz Shahbakhsh, an expert in the human elements of autonomous shipping, has joined the staff of Shipping Australia!
Highly qualified
Hailing from Zahedan, south-east Iran, Mehrangiz holds a Bachelor of Science in Naval Architect Engineering from Chahbahar Maritime and Marine University, along with a Master of Science in Marine Transportation Engineering from Amirkabir University of Technology in Tehran.
She has experience in a range of industrial maritime companies, working on diverse matters such as ship reporting, safety reporting and analysis, carrying out audits and inspections of ships in accordance with the ISPS Code and the ISM Code. She has also carried out extensive safety and investigations work as a technical expert for a well-known classification society.
Now an Australian citizen, Mehrangiz is a Ph.D. candidate with the Australian Maritime College at the University of Tasmania, where she is carrying out world-leading research into the human elements of autonomous shipping, with a particular focus on seafarer training, needs and challenges.
Autonomous shipping – the opportunities
Commenting on her chosen expert field, Mehrangiz commented, “I am excited about the opportunities that are appearing in the maritime industries. The world is rapidly going through a technological revolution and autonomous shipping is a new and progressive field. It has the potential to bring significant changes to the maritime industries. I saw an opportunity to study, and to understand, the implications of changes that will affect operators and seafarers in the maritime industries. I wanted to understand how, and to find practical solutions, to help ensure a smooth transition from human-centred traditional shipping to autonomous shipping”.
Mehrangiz will be developing a work-programme related to her expertise and will shortly be kicking off a series of articles on our website explaining the implications of the transition to autonomous shipping to the maritime public and how the process is unfolding.
Excited to be part of the team
Commenting on her appointment to the staff of Shipping Australia as a “Shipping Analyst and Liaison Officer,” Mehrangiz commented: “I am excited to be part of the Shipping Australia team and I am eager to help our members achieve their policy goals in safe and environmentally-friendly shipping, while also promoting the interests of the ocean shipping industry in Australia”.
In addition to her work on autonomous shipping, Mehranghiz will be helping in the work of Shipping Australia by carrying out research into the local industry, submitting policy documents, articles for the trade and general media, carrying out the work of the Secretariat, and in representing the interests of the members.
Commenting on the appointment of Mehrangiz, Shipping Australia CEO Capt Melwyn Noronha said: “It is great to have a person of Mehrangiz’s skill and expertise in the autonomous space as Shipping Australia continues to evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of the shipping industry and the needs of our members. We will look forward to continuing to help and aid the industry as it moves away from its traditional structures and practices and as it reinvents itself to face the challenges and opportunities of the future”.
