ESM: A conducive learning environment is vital for inclusive culture onboard

‘Manpower will always be a key issue as long as the crew runs the show onboard a vessel’, says Mr Singh, highlighting that seafarers are one of the major strengths of ESM, who are trained in-house at Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies (SIMS). Furthermore, Mr. Singh talks about ESM plans and initiatives for enhanced crew welfare and diversity, concluding that an inclusive culture onboard requires the use of e-learning tools for continuous feedback between ship- shore and routine interactions.

SAFETY4SEA: What are your top priorities in the agenda for the next five years?

SP Singh: We have three key ongoing priorities. The first is developing our people through a three-pronged approach—enhance their skills through training, support their wellbeing in all aspects, and increase diversity in our seafarer pool. Secondly, to continue to seek alternatives that protect the environment and reduce emissions. Lastly, consistently digitising the business with the evolving technology to improve operations that also supports the other priorities.

S4S: What are the key ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) shipping challenges/ trends up to 2030 and what is your organization doing towards?

SP.S: We continue to aid ship owners in implementing changes in equipment and operations for decarbonization by using technology. One of the ways we have been doing it is with dynamic monitoring and solutions through our integrated maritime software system, Phoenix. Operational prompts such as Carbon Intensity Indicator, Planned Maintenance system in Phoenix assist ship and shore staff to implement timely solutions. We recognize that a key step to improve gender diversity in the industry is to train and empower women to join a career at sea, who then advance in ranks before stepping ashore. At ESM, we have focused our efforts in recruiting female cadets at our maritime institute, Samundra Institute of Maritime Institute (SIMS), and lady sailors, both onboard and ashore. As a result of volatile geopolitics, trade routes, cargo requirements and their compliance requirements (e.g., legal, security, etc.) are constantly changing. We continuously monitor events and develop solutions as the situation allows. ESM balances expectations of stakeholders by ensuring they remain informed timely of the safe and compliant operations.

S4S: From your perspective, how should industry stakeholders work to improve crew welfare and foster seafarers’ resilience?

SP.S: We have always believed in developing our strategies based on regular interactions with our people while raising awareness on challenges in the industry, which is then matched with our focused actions for their wellbeing.  As such there are few things that has worked for us in improving crew welfare which includes a good feedback system that is accessible for all. This reassures and encourages seafarers to step out and speak up.  Mitigative measures are also put in place to enhance our welfare programs. These include all-rounded support from shore offices for seafarer’s concerns on health, career development, family support, facilities, improving quality and bandwidth of internet access on ships, and more.  One of the direct results of such feedback and action loop has been the expansion of our welfare programs, with the addition of Wellness Ambassador Training program for seafarers. This training is designed by our inhouse counselling and psychologist team to equip seafarers onboard with psychological first aid skills that helps identify and ensure timely intervention.  With the trust and engagement created by the support system provided onboard and ashore, we assist in developing seafarers’ belief and resilience.

S4S: What are the current and future seafarer manning and training concerns and what are your plans to adapt with social trends?

SP.S: Shortage, new technology & capability enhancements, digitalization/ digital tools. Whether it is now or in the future, manpower will always be a key issue as long as the crew runs the show onboard a vessel. The industry is experiencing a shortage of seafarers and is projected to increase further. Adding onto that manpower crunch, the introduction of automation and new regulatory requirements creates a gap in seafarers’ understanding and ability to operate them. This is where ESM, with its 25 years of expertise, anticipated and adapted methods to focus on the human element. Through our world-class maritime training institute, Samundra Institute of Maritime studies (SIMS), budding and existing seafarers are provided with rigorous hands-on trainings to meet current and new industry requirements. This ensures that we have a ready pool of top-tier seafarers. The extensive training from experienced mariners, state-of-the-art facilities and simulators as well as blended learning tools ensures any gaps between learning and onboard implementation is minimised.

S4S: What actions should we take to collectively create an inclusive and attractive industry for the future generation?

SP.S: Seafaring continues to be a male-dominated industry and ESM has been working towards making the change for the future generations. In collaboration with our group company, Samundra Institute of Maritime studies (SIMS), we have been working towards recruiting and training more women to join the industry. Starting out by shaping young minds through raising awareness about the industry, busting myths and stereotypes, we encourage all budding female seafarers to join as cadets at SIMS wherein experienced women marine faculty take a mentorship role. We regularly reach out to students in schools and host career counselling events to encourage and inspire future generations to take up the seafaring career. In order to inculcate a more inclusive culture onboard, a conducive learning environment has been created through our e-learning tools for all seafarers. Apart from sensitivity trainings for our seafarers onboard, we establish discussions during our ship-shore webinars, campaigns, and other routine interactions. The focus is to reach all levels of the organisation, both onboard and ashore.

The views presented hereabove are only those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion  purposes only.