Univan Merges with Anglo-Eastern

fullaheadUnivan Ship Management Newsletter Issue No. 50

The Anglo-Eastern Univan

Group6

Complacency and

Accidents8

UMTA – 10 years on

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Cricket Sixes Tournament

201518

Contents November 2015 1 Message from our CEO 3 New Ships Joining Univan 6 The Anglo-Eastern Univan Merger Well Underway 8 Complacency and Accidents 11 Captain Yageshwaran 12 UMTA – 10 years on 16 Safety Seminar in Goa 18 KCC Corporate Cricket Sixes Tournament 2015 19 World Maritime Day 20 Photography Competition 2015

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Univan as Part of the Anglo-Eastern Univan Group

At the time of writing this column, it is just over two months since we announced the merger of Univan with Anglo-Eastern Ship Management.

It has been two eventful months and the integration of the two companies is well underway. From the outset, this merger was not particularly about synergies or cost reductions; ratherit was about adding horse power to our combined capabilitiesand creating the best equipped ship management company in our industry. The reaction from customers and colleagues at sea and ashore has been positive, exceeding ourhigh expectations. Univan is being met around the worldwith respect and approval – acknowledgement of our choiceto join forces.

Univan, albeit the smaller company, will by no means disappear in the new group. Univan Ship Management, as

you know it today, will continue to run ships out of Hong Kong, going forward under the leadership of managing director Pradeep Ranjan. With Univan’s strong standing in the tanker management market, and given that Anglo-Eastern already has both a bulk carrier and a container leg to stand on in Hong Kong, Univan will be focused on building a tanker management division of the larger group. Through that, our customers will be able to choose between Hong Kong and Singapore as a base for their tanker management, as Anglo-Eastern tankers are predominantly managed out of the Lion City. Of course, tonnage other than tankers will continue to be managed by Univan too, in accordance with customers’ needs, but the focus will be around a tanker management centre, homing in on the particular needs of the tanker industry. Where it makes sense we will move dry ships to other divisions to ensure that people and ships can expect the best service through our new set-up.

“Univan is being met around the world with respect and approval – acknowledgement of our choice to join forces.”

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Manning and training centres in the various countries are being amalgamated into combined service organisations for the whole group. We are now an astonishing 27,000 seafarers across the company and although specific pools of people around individual owners’ fleets and ship types will be maintained, there is no doubt that the enlarged group offers tremendous opportunities to our sailing colleagues. As a group we also have an unprecedented pipeline of ships joining the already 600+ vessels under full management during the next couple of years and with this growth there will be more opportunity for promotion and career mobility in the seagoing ranks too. I urge you all to engage with your local manning office and your Superintendent and Fleet Manager to discuss developments within the company and your specific plans going forward. We are a company built on the expertise and hard work of our people and we are determined to continue to be the employer-of-choice for the best talent available. Our commitment to continuous training and educating young officers to join the ranks of the Anglo-Eastern Univan team is undiminished and will continue to evolve in the years ahead.

This will be the last “fullahead” in the format that you are reading now. From next year we will combine “fullahead” with Anglo-Eastern’s “Anglo News” to create a new, group-wide newsletter for colleagues and customers. So in signing

out (but not off!), I would like to extend a sincere thanks to all the many Univan colleagues onboard our ships and in our offices for your tireless effort in building a first-class company, where ‘safety first !’ is more than paying lip service and where our culture is epitomised every day by going the extra mile to provide an extraordinary service to our clients and their charterers. In the future, the focus will continue to be on doing a proper job, keeping people, ships, cargo and the environment free from harm and meeting the exacting needs of an industry that will endure as a great place to work for aspiring individuals. Within our new home as an integral part of the Anglo-Eastern Univan Group we have the best colleagues we could wish for and a platform that promises growth and opportunity to all.

I also take this opportunity to wish you and your family Season’s Greetings and a Happy, Healthy and Safe 2016.

Bjorn HojgaardChief Executive Officer

“As a group we also have an unprecedented pipeline of ships joining

the already 600+ vessels under full management during the next

couple of years and with this growth there will be more opportunity for

promotion and career mobility in the seagoing ranks too.”

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New Ships Joining the Univan FleetM.T. Ardmore Seawolf is a 50,000 DWT Chemical/Product Tankers owned by Ardmore Shipping. She

was built in SPP Shipbuilding Co Ltd, South Korea from where she set sail on her maiden voyage under

the able command of Capt. Toor Hardeep Singh and C/E Dingankar Samir Hasan in August 2015.

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New Ships Joining the Univan Fleet

M.V. Camila and M.V. Tia Marta are 33,779 DWT Bulk Carriers owned by Sealink Navigation. The sister ships were built in Namura Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Japan.

In Sep 2015, M.V. Camila sailed on their maiden voyage under the command of Capt. Malik Saqib Zaman and C/E Rajendran Ramesh Kumar. M.V. Tia Marta followed shortly under the command of Capt. Karunanidhi Yageshwaran and C/E Vigadakrishnan Sundaravadivel.

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M.V. Nord Bering is a 61,186 DWT Bulk Carrier owned by Shoei Kisen. The vessel was built in Tadotsu Shipyard Co Ltd, Japan. She made her maiden voyage in early September 2015 under the command of Capt. Pagaduan Timogene Bermudez and C/E Sagun Amante Rostata.

M.T. Lady Astrid is a 2009 built 13,053 DWT Chemical/ Product Tanker. The vessel is backed by a reputed European Financial Institution. She came under the able command of Capt. Kumar Pardeep and C/E Lokare Milind Ramkrishna at Istanbul, Turkey sailing onwards to Ukraine.

“Univan would like to extend a warm

welcome to the fleet.”

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The Anglo-Eastern Univan Merger Well Underway

The newly merged entity will have:

27,000+ seafarers

600+ships

“To ensure a smooth transition to the

new Anglo-Eastern Univan Group structure,

a project management team was assembled

from both sides to oversee the various

integration elements.”

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The Anglo-Eastern Univan merger is the largest merger in the ship management industry’s history.

Two companies of significant proportions with many similarities in terms of geographical presence, staff nationality and operations came together under a new entity with a strong identity and renewed gusto for excellent client service.

To ensure a smooth transition to the new “Anglo-Eastern Univan Group” structure, a project management team was assembled from both sides to oversee the various integration elements. To start with, the news of the merger was clearly and quickly communicated to customers, employees, business partners and to the media, who took a keen interest. The next step in the integration

has been the amalgamation of the crewing and training offices in India and the Philippines. Across India this process is well underway and should be completed soon, including the move of Univan’s Mumbai operation to the same building as Anglo-Eastern The Manila offices of both companies have already been brought under one roof. The training activities have been merged to form an enviable training platform to serve the Group’s future needs. Going forward, Univan will focus on building a tanker management division of the Anglo-Eastern Univan Group, given the Univan brand’s strong standing in the tanker management market, and given that Anglo-Eastern already has both bulk carrier and a container legs to stand on in Hong Kong. An exciting future lies ahead.

Anglo-Eastern’s Peter Cremers (left) and Univan’s Bjorn Hojgaard (right)

Complacency – Is it a Real Cause of Accidents?

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We have come across the word ‘complacency’ being used as a cause for marine accidents too often. Has the word lost its value as no one seems to provide a solution to overcome complacency, as it is often due to the attitude of an individual?

The Oxford dictionary defines complacency as ‘a feeling of satisfaction with yourself or with a situation, so that you do not think any change is necessary; the state of being complacent.’

If we go by the definition, every human goes through the cycle of being complacent during his daily routines. So can we stop people from getting the feeling of satisfaction with a situation? If we ask people to be anxious all the times, would that not lead to higher stress levels? Can we train people not to be complacent?

In most cases, the word ‘complacency’ is used when the person involved is an experienced mariner. Is this word being used because we cannot pin the incident to lack of experience?

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Presently, there are no satisfactory answers to the above questions. Therefore to conclude that cause of an incident was complacency and not provide any solutions does not bring any value to an incident investigation.

In most cases, the word ‘complacency’ is used when the person involved is an experienced mariner. Is this word being used because we cannot pin the incident to lack of experience? What a mariner gains with experience is honing his skills to an extent that it becomes a habit. In our day to day life, we do come across highly perfected habits going wrong. For example – backing your car into your driveway at home, after doing it multiple times, there is a possibility you must

have (or may in the future) glance it against an unwanted structure. Was this complacency at play or would you say it was something else... lack of concentration, distraction or lack of skills. Drawing a similar analogy for incidents on board, why do we not look beyond complacency and go further into human behaviour and skills.

We as incident investigators are at times guilty of not going in-depth to find out the actual cause when it involves human behaviour. The reasons could be many, including lack of understanding of human psychology. However, the next time you are tempted to put complacency as a cause, try to look beyond it and find the actual reason.

“We as incident investigators are at times guilty of not

going in-depth to find out the actual cause when it involves

human behaviour. The reasons could be many, including

lack of understanding of human psychology.”

Captain Yageshwaran thanks Univan’s founder for long and happy career

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“When I was a cadet, I had the good fortune

to have my shore training in Genoa

and spent three months in this beautiful city.

I would really like to return one day.”

In 1996 at a Univan seminar inMumbai, a young man was introduced byhis seafaring father to Captain Vanderperre.At the end of the conversation he wasannounced by the company’s founder asthe newest recruit and so began CaptainKarunanidhi Yageshwaran’s 19-year careerwith Univan. “What really impressed me about CaptainVanderperre was his humility. My father hadbeen with Univan for 15 years and now Ihad an opportunity to follow in his footsteps.I thanked him for the opportunity and he ledme onto the stage at the seminar and in frontof all of the delegates, he thanked my fatherand I and all of the seafarers who had builtUnivan. It was a very touching moment,”said Captain Yageshwaran. Speaking to “fullahead” off the coast ofSamoa in the Pacific, he spoke about histime at sea and said that his favourite citywas Genoa in Italy.

“When I was a cadet, I had the good fortuneto have my shore training in Genoa andspent three months in this beautiful city. Iwould really like to return one day. Travellingthe world has been the best thing about thejob, I really enjoy seeing how other peoplelive,” he added. Currently working on bulk carriers, CaptainYageshwaran said he enjoyed workingon containerships the most as generallycontainer terminals are closer to cities. “I would also have a better chance of gettingback to Genoa if I worked on containershipsagain,” he joked. He hails from the city of Chennai and ismarried with two boys aged two andfour years. “I have an excellent career and Univan havereally looked after me. I look forward to an even more promising future within the Anglo-Eastern Univan Group.”

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Celebrating a Decade of Training Excellence – and Looking Forward to the Next 10 Years

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In 2005 it was late Capt. C.A.J. Vanderperre who approved investment in the Univan Mumbai office atSantacruz West, to house the new manningand training offices in order to improve onbroad training standards. The Univan Maritime Training Academy (UMTA)was initially set up with a Full Mission BridgeSimulator, a Full Mission Engine Simulator,classrooms and an Engine Room workshoptraining area which had the necessary Engineequipment procured for technical hands ontraining. In October 2006, the LCHS Simulator 5Modules (Oil, Chemical, LPG – Pressurised,LPG- Refrigerated and LNG) were installed on

the 3rd Floor and thereafter the DG approvalwas obtained for conducting LCHS Oil(Operational and Management Level) courses. In 2012, the ECDIS Simulator with nine traineestations was procured and subsequently theDG approval was obtained to conduct the DGapproved ECDIS IMO 1.27 courses.

In early 2015, a PC based ElectronicallyInjected Wartsila -X Engine Simulator wasprocured for imparting latest technologytraining for the Engineers. Our primary training goal was to impartpractical on-board useable training knowledgein every course that could benefit our Univanofficers and ratings at sea.

“Our primary training goal was to impart practical on board useable training knowledge in every course that could benefit our Univan officers and ratings at sea.”

We liaised with several external companies to get their candidates quality trained to the highest standards and have subsequently gained recognition by leading shipping companies as a quality training academy. We also developed a Quick Reference Guide 2014 and 2015 for the benefit of the ship staff to familiarize themselves with the important information within the company SMS manuals. In 2014, Univan expanded its Kochi training premises by procuring additional space where a modern designed manning office and two classrooms were added.

In 2015, UMTA Kochi obtained the TASCO and CHEMCO DG course approvals and have now started training for a few value-added courses too.

The training team has been involved with all the company’s Cadets during their selection

process, induction briefing and finally their de-briefing follow up after every voyage to monitor their progress. A seamanship course has also been included for Deck Cadets in order to enhance their skills to efficiently supervise and guide the ratings under them in future. We have designed career advancement training programs to ensure that our trainees grow up to be quality trained Masters and Chief Engineers manning our ships with the support of our well trained ratings. Following the merger, Univan’s training activities have been joined with the Anglo-Eastern’s training activities to form a truly world class training division serving the needs of Anglo-Eastern Univan Group. Going forward we intend to continue the excellent work started ten years ago, alongside new colleagues and supported by a strengthened platform.

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“Going forward as part of the new Group we intend to continue

the excellent work started ten years ago, alongside

new colleagues and supported by a strengthened platform.”

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“Among the issues discussed were MARPOL, SOLAS and IGF and how these regulations will impact the shipping industry in the future.”

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Univan hosted a safety seminar in Goa, focused on continuous improvement in maritime safety. Guests included Ardmore Shipping, Diamond Shipping, Unique Shipping as well as senior management from Univan Hong Kong.

The overall theme and message was based on going ‘Back to Basics’, the event was hosted and co-ordinated by Capt. Sujit Churi (Director – Univan India) and Capt. Liston Pereira (Director UMTA), and their team.

Among the issues discussed were MARPOL, SOLAS and IGF and how these regulations will impact the shipping industry in the future. There was also a speech about ‘Wellness at Sea’ by Johan Smith of the Sailors’ Society, where he focused on mental health issues facing seafarers.

M.C. Asthana, Director IMS Goa gave a speech about ‘Sound Watchkeeping Practices at Sea’ in keeping with the theme of the seminar focused on basic skills and drills.Capt. Peter A. Helm (Marine Director – Univan HK) spoke about the company`s total commitment to safety and continual improvement and used statistical data to benchmark safety performance.

The event concluded with presentations of Long Service Awards and a Gala Dinner amidst much fanfare – music and dance.

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Safety Seminar in Goa Focused on Going Back to Basics

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Anglo-Eastern Univan Group Cricket Team lifts Plate Winners trophy at KCC Corporate Cricket Sixes Tournament 2015When it comes to the game of cricket, Univan and Anglo Eastern had two of the strongest teams in Hong Kong, playing many major corporate tournaments during previous years.

After the merger of Anglo-Eastern Univan Group there was no question that a combined cricket team will be stronger than ever.

KCC Corporate Cricket Sixes 2015 is a big cricket event in Hong Kong’s sporting calendar organized by Kowloon Cricket Club Hong Kong. This year’s tournament was held on 24th – 25th October and a team was formed including players from both Univan and Anglo-Eastern. The team comprised Rahul Tonapi, Nilesh Shankar, Yaqoob Saqab, Bharat Sharma, Mandar Pendse, Renjit Stanley and was captained by Somasundar Nair. The team put up an excellent performance during tournament’s league stages winning three of the five games defeating Fleet Management, Wallem and KCC Knights to get into the finals and ultimately lifting the Plate trophy. Congratulations to the team and to our supporters.

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Univan Supports & Celebrates World Maritime Day

On 24 September 2015, Univan was proud to be part of World Maritime Day again, along with other maritime companies across the world, joining the Sailors’ Society to celebrate the seafarers’ annual event. By making a minimum donation of US$5 equivalent or more, Univan staff paid a fee to come into work in casual wear with red and white colours of Hong Kong to support the Sailors’ Society charity, which helps seafarers and their families around the globe.

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Univan Photography Competition 2015 – Winners

1st Prize: Abhinav S. Raj (3rd Engineer – Ex. Shinyo Saowalak)

2nd Prize: Capt. Yashvind M Tatke (Master – MV Nord Auckland)

3rd Prize: Franky Cardozo (Chief Officer – Nord Rotterdam)

Congratulations to the winners of 2015 photo competition! These inspiring photos show the Univan life at sea and on shore. We will be announcing the new competition and calling for entries very soon. Watch this space!

“A warm congratulations to our talented photography winners! The finalists captured the spirit of Univan’s people and the ever-changing views of life at sea.”

5th Runner Up: Vazhipokkil K. Manoharan (Chief Engineer – Ex. Lady Cordelia)

3rd Runner Up: Suhas Jadhav (Chief Engineer – Ardmore Seahawk)

4th Runner Up: Anit Kapoor (Cadet – Ex. Ardmore Sealeader)

1st Runner Up: Ranjyot Singh (2nd Officer – Ex. Nord Independence)

2nd Runner Up: Joswin Aranha (Deck cadet – Pacific Opal)

Univan Ship Management Limited35th floor, Citicorp Centre, 18 Whitfield Road

North Point, Hong KongTel: +852 3143 7788; Fax: +852 2861 0742; Email: pr@univan.com