Leadership: for One and All

fullaheadUnivan Ship Management Newsletter Issue No. 49

Weathering the Storm

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Wellness Program

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Intelligent Engines

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Going Green

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Contents August 2015 1 Message from our CEO 3 Univan Crew Management Breaking New Ground for Owners 4 New Ships Joining Univan 6 Occupational Health and Safety 7 Univan’s Newbuilding & Special Projects 8 Weathering the Storm 12 Drawn to a Life at Sea with New Horizons Everyday 14 Wellness Program 16 Intelligent Engine Technology 18 To Serve-up Culinary Delights 19 Green Flag Award 20 Management Team Building & Wellness Program

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Why everyone can – and should – be a leaderIt is said that leadership starts at the top. This is often true, of course, but it is far from being the whole story. Leaders can also be found at the bottom of an organisation and at just about every place in between.

Leadership is often seen as:

“the action of leading a group of people or an organisation, or the ability to do this”

So my question is this: How are we leading as individuals and can one person do everything? Not really. But there often seems to be disproportionate weight put onto a single individual’s shoulders when in actual fact the load can be split very simply by incorporating other people’s skills into the equation.

Leadership can be found and must be practiced by employees at all levels of an organisation. That is the only way in which an enterprise can get the most from managers and employees alike, achieve its strategic goals, fulfill the personal career aspirations of its people, and lay the groundwork for identifying and developing future leaders, including those who may eventually serve at the highest levels. A payroll clerk who recommends a way to streamline the process of cutting a cheque is demonstrating leadership – given the framework of his or her place in an organisation – in the same way as a CEO who is launching an initiative to transform a corporation.

Everyone can exercise leadership by being an individual contributor at any level of an organisation. What does that mean? Ultimately it comes down to looking for opportunities to make the world a better place. That sounds grand, but when

“While powerful, charismatic individuals can make a difference, it is usually leadership teams, not the lone wolf, which prove essential to organisational success in the long run.”

In today’s world it’s not just about what we do but why we do it. Leaders must be focused on the greater good for both their teams and the environment they live in. With that in mind, here is another version of what leadership truly is:

“Leadership is the ability to help other people get closer to a goal or desired state, to be a catalyst of positive progress”

You could be anyone, hold any ‘position’ in society, make any kind of salary but you will only be leading if you are driving others forward, if you are acting as a catalyst towards them getting closer to where they need to be.

The fact of the matter is, we’re all leaders. It’s just that some of us haven’t decided what we want to lead at yet and others haven’t realised the full scope of the power we possess.

Bjorn HojgaardChief Executive Officer

“In today’s world it’s not just about what we do but why we do it.

Leaders must be focused on the greater good for both their teams

and the environment they live in.”

people apply that idea to their work situations, it means having a vision of how your unit, or you as an individual, can be more effective and creative, go beyond day-to-day requirements, and energize others around that vision.

While powerful, charismatic individuals can make a difference, it is usually leadership teams, not the lone wolf, which prove essential to organisational success in the long run. Developing an exceptionally talented team of people at all levels, and fostering a healthy sense of collegiality, mutual trust, and respect for performance are keys to beating competition, and to reduce dependency on any one individual in the process.

One person may be gifted at guiding peers through times of emotional distress, another may be great at setting goals and making sure the team sticks to them. Some of us lead by spreading good vibes, others through passing on knowledge, some people lead by creating a buzz in the workplace that motivates others.

You should lead at what you excel in and should be acknowledged and encouraged for doing that.

So are you willing to take on your role based on self analysis and without appointment or approval from others?

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Univan Crew Management Breaking New Ground for Owners

Univan has expanded beyond traditional technical management and today offers a full range of crew management services as well. This structure provides more flexibility to owners who have their own ISM/ISPS system, but are having difficulty sourcing good quality crew.

The company’s crew management services include screening, selection, recruitment, training, continuous professional development and management of seafarers. In the last ten years, Univan has provided crew management services to more than 60 vessels. At any given time, Univan has 2,500 seafarers on board and 2,300 seafarers ashore, along with a database of more than 10,000 seafarers from selected manning centres around the world. There are seven manning offices, five in India, one in China and one in the Philippines.

In the first half of this year, two vessels joined the fleet for full crew management services. The M.V. Nord Penguin, a 81,500 DWT Kamsarmax bulker joined Univan in January with Filipino crew, and the M.V. Wakashio, a 203,130 DWT Capesize bulker, came in May with top 3 Indian plus rest Filipino crew.

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New Vessels Joining Univan FleetM.T. Ardmore Sealion and M.T. Ardmore Seafox are 50,000 DWT Chemical/ Product Tankers owned

by Ardmore Shipping. These sister ships were built at SPP Shipbuilding Co Ltd, South Korea.

M.T. Ardmore Sealion sailed on her maiden voyage under the able command of Capt. Narayanan

Krishnakumar and Chief Engineer Lokare Milind on 26th May 2015. M.T. Ardmore Seafox was delivered shortly

after under the command of Capt. Beekay Aslam and Chief Engineer Fernandes Clifford on 25th June 2015.

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M.V. Hanjin Ningbo is a 2,553 TEU Container Ship owned by Nagashiki Shipping. The ship was built in 2007 at the Naikai Zosen Corp., Hiroshima, Japan. On 15 June 2015, she set sail from Singapore under the able command of Capt. A. R. Iglesia and C/E Eusebio Razon de Leon.

Also joining the fleet are the bulk carriers M.V. Emerald Dongji and M.V. Emerald Baisha, the sister ships are 81,600 DWT Bulk Carriers owned and built by Zhejiang Ouhua Shipbuilding Co Ltd. Both ships sailed on their maiden voyage in May 2015 under the command of Capt. Bhuvanesan Nirmal and C/E Masurkar Suhas and Capt. Amar Bahadur Singh and C/E Estibeiro Joaquim repesticely.

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Univan Committed to Occupational Health and Safety (OHSAS)Univan is committed to providing the best working environment for its employees and recognizes the importance of Occupational Health and Safety (OHSAS). The overall objectives of OHSAS are to ensure safety requirements are understood by all employees and enable them to introduce positive improvements with regard to health and safety through education. The company aims to establish an incident and accident free working environment. From October 2014 onwards, Univan has provided Health & Safety Induction Training to all employees.

A self-assessment form for DSE (Display Screen Equipment) and Work Station has been given to all employees for their input.

Upon collection of their self-assessment, the company has identified their concerns and taken the appropriate remedial action. The measures include providing new adjustable monitors, high speed computers, keyboard tray, foot rest and regular adjustment of air flow of the central air conditioning system.

The company also has to perform the PAT (Portable Appliance Test) for equipment in the office ensuring compliance with safety standards.

In February 2015, Univan was accredited with OHSAS 18000 Certification. Health and Safety is a continuous process and Univan is committed to improving the working environment for its employees. The Univan team will continue to pursue a goal of zero incidents by striving to make continual improvements and ensure that all reasonably practicable efforts are made to safeguard its employees, visitors, contractors and members of the public, who may be affected by its activities.

“ In February 2015, Univan was accredited with OHSAS 18000 Certification. Health and Safety is a continuous process and Univan is committed to improving the working environment for its employees.”

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Univan’s Newbuilding & Special Projects

“We find that a high percentage of the owners who work with our newbuilding team then place the ship under Univan’s management once it is completed.”

Dr. Ranjan Varghese is the head of one of Univan’s most innovative departments working on special projects and newbuildings. “For special projects we are mostly working on conversions, such as single hulled tankers into double hulled or changing a tanker into a bulk carrier. Deck additions for car carriers, and lengthening of ships studies to improve capacities. The work is varied and interesting as we collaborate closely with the owner and the shipyards,” he said.

The newbuilding work involves providing technical consulting services regarding the specifications of the vessel, choice of shipyard and the best engine to install for each vessel. “Our owners are a combination of existing Univan customers and owners who manage their own ships. We find that a high

percentage of the owners who work with our newbuilding team then place the ship under Univan’s management once it is completed.” Dr. Varghese gained his doctorate in shipbuilding management in Korea and worked with Daewoo, the world’s second largest shipbuilder. Prior to that he studied at the National University in Cochin, India. “At Daewoo I worked on ships of every type from LNG to oil tankers, then in 2006 I had the chance to join Univan following a meeting with Captain Vanderperre.” Currently Dr. Varghese and his team are working on newbuilds: an 80,000 DWT bulk carrier and a 3,000 TEU container ship. There are lots of energy efficiency improvement studies on ships. There are retrofits done basis the case by case studies, such a de-rating of engines, installation of mewis ducts, and propeller boss cap fins.

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Weathering the Storm

To help ensure the safety of Univan’s seafarers and maintain high operational standards, vessels are now equipped with SPOS (Ship Performance Optimisation System), a multifunctional weather routing software.

Before SPOS’s introduction, vessels had limited options when it came to sourcing accurate and timely weather advice.

Vessels had to rely on traditional methods like weather reports via fax or Enhanced Group Call (ECG) warnings, or where available, they would additionally receive weather routing advice from charterers.

The traditional methods while approved, are often not timely enough, or not as frequent as required, not available when needed, not comprehensive enough to put in a plan and evaluate options or a combination of all these.

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Providing accurate weather routing services to vessels from the manager, therefore ensures that the vessel’s Master can evaluate the situation independently and always take decisions keeping the safety of life, ship, cargo and the owner’s interests foremost.

SPOS can provide, depending on preference every four hours, six hours and 12 hours weather updates, providing detailed information, in high resolution chart overlays, in various combinations of parameters with forecasts up to 216 hours from the time of the update.

Ships can enter their passage plan and see the weather forecast simulated over their planned voyage, giving the Master the option of making quick amendments to the voyage plan where required.

The shore side of operations has the fleet management module of SPOS, which allows us to have an overview of all vessels equipped with SPOS.

This helps us quickly flag vessels in the fleet which are in the vicinity of weather phenomena of concern and provide them with timely guidance and advice.

Archives of weather forecasts from SPOS also help mitigate any claims that may be lodged against the vessel owners by shippers for the late delivery of cargo due to deviations made the ship to avoid heavy weather.

Features like RouteGuard and Fleet Management by SPOS, help calculate the optimum route, based on conditions such as waves, current and swell, and weather elements, leading to efficiency savings. These are features which weather routing companies use for providing charterers with weather routing advice and are now available to the Master for use onboard.

These modules also help in better implementing environmental targets like CO2 emissions and improvements in Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) and its compliance by improving vessel performance.

Summarizing, the system therefore helps in empowering the ship’s Master, giving him access to actionable and timely information and it helps the office monitor the fleet more effectively and achieve environmental and commercial targets set without compromising on safety.

Wish you all fair winds and calm seas.

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SPOS RouteGuard calculating the optimum route

SPOS Fleet Management Screen showing a vessel selected

SPOS Fleet Management Screen showing a vessel route plan in relation to the weather

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“Ships can enter their passage plan and see

the weather forecast simulated over

their planned voyage, giving the Master

the option of making quick amendments to

the voyage plan where required.”

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Drawn to a Life at Sea with New Horizons Everyday

Looking for new horizons as a young man, Captain Sujit Kumar Das saw a life at sea as an adventure and a way to travel the world.

“There is something new everyday when you are on board a ship, new countries to visit and fresh challenges to face” he said.

Captain Das joined Univan in 2004 and spent the last eleven years with the company as first officer and Master. He spoke to Fullahead onboard the 6,800 TEU Hyundai Busan at anchorage off Qingdao port in China.

“ I have worked mostly on bulk carriers and container vessels and I enjoy life at sea. My preference is to sail on container ships as the sailing time tends to be shorter as compared to general bulk ships which ply longer trade routes sometimes up to 44 days,” he added.

“One of the aspects of my job I enjoy is assessing and managing risk factors. Being able to identify potential challenges before they arise and having contingency plans in place to mitigate risk are critical to running an efficient ship.”

“ I think Univan is a good company, with a first class reputation so when the opportunity arose to join them I did not hesitate. Previously I was working with a Chinese management company and a ship agency,” he said.

His seafaring adventure began in 1988 as a cadet, moving through ranks to first officer and then master.

His favourite countries visited are Germany and New Zealand.

Captain Das is from Calcutta, India and is married. He also has a 15 year-old daughter.

“ I have worked mostly on bulk carrier and container vessels and I enjoy life at sea.”

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Ordinary Seaman Nitant Kumar decided to follow his father into a life at sea and was drawn to the adventure of visiting new countries and meeting people of different nationalities.

“My father spent 27 years at sea working most on transpacific trading routes, he told me about his experiences the countries he visited and the people he met. Listening to his stories, made me decide at an early age that a career at sea would be ideal for me.”

“My favourite place visited so far has to be Paris. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the food.”

The least favourite part of the job is being away from my family for months on end.

Nitant is from Gujarat, India.

“My favourite place visited

so far has to be Paris; I enjoyed the

atmosphere and the food.”

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Sailors’ Society Launches Wellness Program

“There is a lot of work to be done in order to provide support for these men in terms of raising awareness of the problem and a need to provide counselling from mental health professionals.”

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The Sailors’ Society has launched a Wellness campaign to raise awareness in the shipping industry about mental health issues faced by seafarers.

Johan Smith is the Wellness Project Director for the Sailors’ Society and a former Chaplain based in Cape Town.

“Seafarers have been largely invisible in the shipping industry for many years and issues such as loneliness, isolation and separation from family have been ignored or overlooked by owners and operators,” said Johan.

“Thankfully there have been improvements made to help seafarers in recent years but there is still a lot of work to be done in order to provide support for these men in terms of raising awareness of the problem and a need to provide counselling from mental health professionals .” he added.

Ships now also spend less time in ports; in years gone by seafarers had more time for relaxation and to meet with their wives and family members. Some containerships can turn around port calls in six hours meaning that the crew are fully engaged in working while they are in port and then are back at sea, without any time to go ashore.

The shorter period that ships are in port has also affected the work of the Sailors’ Society, as Chaplains often do not have the opportunity to go onboard and visit seafarers and discuss personal problems and issues.

“The dynamics onboard have also changed as traditionally the Captain had a ‘paternal’ role and talked through issues with his crew. Often depression or mental health problems could be identified and arrangements made for medical leave or a home visit.

“In the past the Captain would also have his regular crew whom he got to know but now with crew rotation there isn’t time for bonds to be formed which also means it is more difficult for the Captain to identify mental health issues among the seafarers during his charge.”

Johan also talked about the stereotypical image of the rough, tough seafarer who is able to take the physical and mental challenges of life at sea.

“In my time as Chaplain for the Sailors’ Society, I realised the truth is that many seafarers are vulnerable, lonely and isolated and the stereotype is very far from the mark.”

The Sailors’ Society and shipping industry partners including Univan are at the forefront of raising awareness of the Wellness program and ultimately providing outreach programs onboard to provide personal contact for those in need of mental health counselling and help.

Univan will be launching its own in-house Wellness program with a series of seminars aimed at raising awareness within the company of ways to improve physical and mental wellbeing while onboard the ship or in the office.

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With the advent of strict emission control, there is a growing need for flexibility to run the main engine with low emission levels, even at low loads. There is also continued demand for improved fuel efficiency, despite lower bunker prices and marine engine manufacturers are now moving beyond the conventional mechanical fuel injection systems, ‘viz.’ and are now using camshaft control for fuel injection and exhaust valve operation.

The ‘brain’ of the engine is an electronic control system, that analyses the condition of the engine, besides controlling the operation of the fuel injection, exhaust valve actuation, cylinder lube oil and the turbo charging system. The ‘intelligent’ engine now goes beyond control – it seeks to improve the performance, by monitoring and evaluating the condition of the engine, based on engine conditions. The system can thus proactively protect the engine from damage or poor operation.

Intelligent Engine Technology Delivers Lower Emissions and Fuel Efficency

By Vikram Gokhale, DGM UMTA Mumbai

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The introduction of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) has led to the integration of industrial electronics with marine engines. The giant strides made in the development of PLC technology have now made it possible to use the electronically-controlled fuel injection control systems, instead of the camshaft-based systems used in the past.

While all types of engines use Programmable Logic Controllers or PLCs to control fuel injection, exhaust valve operation and even air starting, the method of fuel injection is different.

“The giant strides made in the development of

PLC technology have now made it possible to use

the electronically-controlled fuel injection

control systems, instead of the camshaft-based

systems used in the past.”

MAN B&W have stuck to their ‘unit injection’ system, using individual fuel pumps now called Fuel Pressure Boosters (similar to the fuel system of their conventional engines), whereas Wärtsilä has opted for the newer electronically-controlled ‘Common-rail’ system.

UMTA Mumbai has procured the PC based Simulator software for Wartsila’s latest W-X engines and is conducting an “Electronically controlled Engines” course for Univan and external clients.

Galleymasters Aim to Serve-up Culinary Delights

The Galleymasters team comprises passionate and experienced Hotel Management graduates and shipping professionals who work together to achieve a high level of crew welfare for Univan’s sailing staff. The experience and expertise in all aspects of shipboard catering operations enables us to maximise the utilization of the victualing budget provided by the owners while reducing administrative burdens and improving the quality of life for the seafarer through the high quality food served on board.

This team of experts can guide ship staff on all the aspects of marine catering, from galley management and menu planning for diverse crew to health and hygiene, compliance of new regulations such as MLC 2006.

Our experienced purchasers source the quality food at the keenest prices for vessels, and work together with the Masters to plan for the best loading ports. Our quality control and stock monitoring processes help ships operate within their respective catering budgets. Masters and crew enjoy quality and sufficient

food all the time. Our operations professionals co-ordinate provisions deliveries with the ship’s agents and technical department exploring opportunities to consolidate deliveries with other stores and provisions to reduce additional cost to the principals.

Our catering experts also visit vessels for inspections to ensure safe working practices are being observed and particular attention is placed on non-compliance hygiene and regular stock rotation.

Our expert trainers impart training to the cooks and stewards in all aspects of galley management, menu planning, galley safety, inventory management, reducing wastage, food and beverage services, housekeeping.

Galleymaster provides guidance to cooks and stewards with in-house complied recipes for various cuisines like Indian, Filipino, Burmese, and European, enabling them to bring variation to their preparations. Additional release of periodic newsletters assist sailing staff to upgrade their knowledge and enhance skills to perform their duties more efficiently.

“Our expert trainers impart training to the cooks and stewards in all aspects of galley management, menu planning, galley safety, inventory management, reducing wastage, food and beverage services, housekeeping.”

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Univan wins Green Flag Award from Port of Long BeachUnivan has been awarded the Green Environmental Achievement Award by the Port of Long Beach after complying with the Voluntary Speed Reduction Program, which aims to reduce carbon emission from vessels in the waters off Southern California in 2014. The vessel operators slow down their speed to 12 knots or less within 40 nautical miles of Point Fermin, near the entrance to the Harbor. This is because ships emit less when they travel more slowly; the program has been highly successful in reducing smog-forming emissions and diesel particulates from ships

The award is given to operators that called at the Port of Long Beach in 2014 and demonstrated that 90 per cent or more of all vessel trips complied with the speed reduction program. The Green Flag award means that all vessels under Univan’s management will enjoy a 25 per cent reduction in dockage fees at eligible terminals, the incentive will be applied to all calls at the Port of Long Beach in 2015.

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Staff Vote for Management Team Building and Wellness Program

Following a poll of Univan staff, there will be a new team building and wellness program launched during the year to replace the traditional individual birthday treats. The aim is to improve team building, while the wellness program will include different activities within the year including Yoga classes and therapeutic massages.

As part of the new corporate team-building strategy, on 5th June, all management teams and department heads joined an exciting simulated Formula1 group racing game. After the team building group games, all participants had a fantastic dinner together at Woolloomooloo restaurant.

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Univan Ship Management Limited35th floor, Citicorp Centre, 18 Whitfield RoadNorth Point, Hong KongTel: +852 3143 7788; Fax: +852 2861 0742; Email: pr@univan.com