Wallem Fleet Officers Meet Held in Kochi

The two-day event offered an interesting array of topics, across operational segments

Padmesh Prabhune

Commemorating its 120 years of success, Wallem Ship Management, one of the world’s leading ship managers, managing more than 200 ships with over 7,000 seafarers sailing on its fleet, recently held its fleet officers meet at Kochi, on 4^th and 5^th April 2023.

Following the  theme; ‘Future is Human’, the two-day event attended by over 100 seafarers, witnessed brain storming and interactive sessions on various aspects dealing  with Safety, Human and Operational / technical excellence;  both, on board and ashore.

The Speakers from Wallem included stalwarts of the likes of Master Subramanian Rajagopal, Director Compliance; Capt Chittur Subramanian, Director Operations; Capt Xerxes Daji, Regional Director; followed by Mr Amitabh Gupta, Capt Sanio Radhakrishnan, Mr Rakesh Keni and Capt Jaipaul Sebastian.

The balanced sessions, with an interesting array of topics across segments, and the related intense interaction, made it a ‘must attend’ program, compelling the audience to stay glued to their seats till the very end. The content supported with AV’s and Short Films equally had its fullest impact on the learning of the audience.

With the objective to have a meaningful and complete ‘Communications cycle’ with all its stakeholders, Wallem had also invited the owners of the ships; DSD and Sonangol, to name a few.

On day one, Capt Xerxes Daji, Regional Director, Wallem India, set the stage with the introduction & welcoming of everyone at the venue. He stressed on the Human element, saying, “No matter how many technological advances happen we swill till need humans for the manning system: it is as simple as that.

“The session will focus on being human and following the safety culture.” He advised the seafarers to seek the larger picture in making their careers and not to compromise it for some quantum of salary.

Ioannis Stefanou, Managing Director, Wallem Ship Management, delivering the Keynote address, appreciated everyone especially the seafarers for their continued support. He stressed on the cultural history of Wallem, where successive generations of Seafarers have continued their association with the company, which was as good as maintaining generational family ties. He assured them all of a bright career at Wallem.

Master Subramanian Rajagopal with his vast knowledge of Safety compliance, and his extraordinary oratory skills, could easily connect with the audience in the first session itself, and thereafter all the speakers took the centre stage carrying forward the show with three interactive sessions on Safety on board, only to be continued with equally interactive sessions on technological advances on Day Two.

The audience had the opportunity to discuss the real case studies, and incidents across segments, with speakers of the likes of Capt Chittur Subramanian and Mr Amitabh Gupta, who could explain in detail the probable cause of the errors, be it human or technical.

The session had its share of fun and frolic as well. Apart from the rapid round test the event also saw games and a quiz contest, followed by the Gala Dinner to conclude on Wednesday 5^th April.

Marex Media

Box 1

Safety First

“At Wallem we follow the culture of Safety First; it is in our behaviour, our communications, and makes for one of our values. We care for our seafarers; nothing is above Human life. We have various training modules, including a hybrid model as well, to ensure our seafarers are always updated.”

–  Master Subramanian Rajgopal, Director Compliance

Box 2

The Just Culture

At Wallem we adhere to the Just Culture wherein we care for seafarers. We stand by them through thick and thin. For, we know at times they would make mistakes, but then we groom them, nurture them over a period of time, and ensure they reach higher levels in their careers.

–  Capt Chittur Subramanian, Director Operations

Box 3

Wallem Inaugurates New ‘Kochi’ Office

The Office will be the new centre of excellence, providing technical support to Vessel management across Wallem’s global operations

On the occasion of the successful completion of 120 years, Wallem Shipmanagement; a leading provider of maritime solutions, offering services supporting the complete lifecycle of a vessel since 1903, has established its new offices in Kochi, India.

The inaugural was conducted on the sidelines of the Wallem Fleet Officers Meet, on Tuesday, April 4.

Speaking at the inauguration, Ioannis Stefanou, Managing Director, Ship Management, said, “We are very happy to inaugurate this facility in India and we are sure that the facility will definitely add value to Wallem’s existing infrastructure prowess in ship management and the overall training processes.”

As one of the most experienced maritime solution providers globally, Wallem offers world-class support to shipowners through collaboration, customer-centricity, transparency and innovation. Wallem operates globally with a shore-based team of 700, and 7,000 highly qualified seafarers, serving nearly all vessel segments.

Mr Stefanou added, “Wallem’s Kochi Office will be the new centre of excellence providing technical support to Vessel management across Wallem’s global operations.”

Spread over an area of over 2,500 sq ft in the heart of the city, the new facility is provided with the latest technological infrastructure, along with the domain experts under the leadership of Capt Sanio Radhakrishnan. It is all set to become a centre of excellence providing technical support and inputs to overall vessel management. The new facility consists of a balanced team having on-board exposure in the area of Operations, Safety and Technical knowhow as well as naval architects with experience in vessel performance.

Mr Radhakrishnan stated, “The centre will provide technical assistance, especially to Tankers, on performance in vetting and performance in PSC inspections, with all other related data-driven support. Most of the technocrats in the office would be of the likes of Fleet Superintendents having experience on board.

“The office will also provide regular in-house training for upgrading their technological skill sets. The facility will be one of the bases in this part of the country, used to keep a tab on untapped potential in the maritime industry.”

Wallem supports the complete vessel lifecycle, from new building supervision to end-of-life recycling guidance. Leveraging in-house expertise to the full, they combine their experience and a forward-thinking outlook to ensure the highest standards in safety as well as technical and commercial performance.

Wallem’s extensive portfolio includes ship management, crewing, training, technical services, asset management, commercial management, and ship agency services.

Box 4

Wallem Looks to Rapidly Expand its Fleet

To Focus on Untapped Potentials in Africa and Burma

Wallem Ship Management, one of the world’s leading ship managers, managing more than 200 ships with over 7,000 seafarers sailing on their fleets, is to add more ships to its name very soon.

Wallem operates across vessel types; oil, chemical, gas tankers, bulk carriers, container ships, general cargo ships, reefers, FSOs, car carriers, passenger ships. Now they are looking forward to focus on the untapped markets of Africa and have been testing waters in Burma as well.

Though India remains one of their key areas of interest, Wallem has been looking to increase its presence in other major markets too.

The newly inaugurated facility at Kochi will serve as the centre of excellence, providing technical support to Vessel management across Wallem’s global operation.

Speaking to Marex on the sidelines of the Commemoration of their 120^th Anniversary, Ioannis Stefanou, Managing Director, Wallem Ship Management, said, “Wallem is rightly proud of its heritage as the world’s 1st third-party ship management company, and have been working diligently with a focus on delivering safe, reliable and cost-effective ship operations & technical services to its clients the world over.”

“We are a performance based equal-opportunity company and we care for our seafarers. Not only do we have loyal seafarers with us of over 30 years’ service, we also have second and third generations of seafarers who take pride in joining Wallem just because they have seen their father with Wallem, and in some cases their grandfathers / relatives too.”

Ioannis who has been serving as MD for a bit over a year now is categorical about the strategic planning of the company’s ship management activities worldwide.

A qualified Chartered Engineer, along with a Master’s degree in Marine Technology and Technical Management of Ship Operations, he has worked for a number of well-known ship management companies and highly respected ship operators in the past. Ioannis joined Wallem Ship Management in April 2014 to lead its Technical Management, with a focus on delivering safe, reliable and cost-effective ship operations and technical services. He has also been integral to the development and execution of corporate strategy, with particular focus on new product lines and the adoption of emerging technologies to benefit fleet efficiency and client services.

Wallem’s extensive portfolio includes ship management, crewing, training, technical services, asset management, commercial management, and ship agency services.

Ioannis emphasizes that Wallem believes in having a system of ‘Diverse’ cultures on board its fleets. Though Indian seafarers make upto 50 percent of the total workforce, they have a balanced worker profile that includes Europeans, Chinese, Filipinos, and Sri Lankans.

Acknowledging the fact that the gender equality gap is a prevalent aspect in the maritime industry, Wallem does plan to hire more women seafarers on its fleet. While currently women constitute around just 2 percent of the global sailing staff, Ioannis is hopeful that the share will increase gradually over a period of time.

Having an average seafarer retention rate of 98 percent, Wallem is considered one of the best to work with, for it is a company that puts Safety First. Ioannis stresses, “It has to be safety first for the simple reason that nobody wants to have an untoward incident. Safety induces confidence too.”

Talking about their investment and expansion plans, Ioannis maintains that the company has a clear focus to excel upside, and already has systems in place; be they investment, supply chain modules, or the environment regulations- they are all set.

Ioannis concludes, “The focus will be to sustain our client-centric model by ensuring that we continue to deliver a high quality service to our wide range of customers, and equip the business to manage the ships of the future.”