At Fleet Management, over 70% of our boardroom are former seafarers. Many of our colleagues have taken a similar path, moving from life at sea to roles on land, bringing with them the skills, discipline and passion that shape our company culture. Their stories show us how experience gained on deck continues to contribute to our success on land.
From Engine Room to Boardroom
Jasvinder Keer, formerly a Chief Engineer and now serving as Vessel Manager in Fleet’s Technical Team. The shift from ship to shore has been both a professional and personal milestone. Having spent more than a decade sailing on LPG and dual fuel chemical tankers, Jasvinder now applies his technical expertise to manage vessel operations and ensure compliance.
He speaks of the change in rhythm that comes with life onshore. Instead of focusing on one ship at a time, he now oversees several. Each with its own complexities and stakeholders.
“The biggest shift is the 24/7 nature of communication; I stay connected to emails and phone calls to manage multiple vessels and stakeholders, which is very different from focusing on one ship. My colleagues, team leader, and existing connections in Hong Kong have been very supportive in helping me adapt. I see the initial challenges as part of a learning process for my long-term career growth,”
he says.
His role has shifted from hands on engineering to strategic decision making, ensuring vessels operate safely and efficiently within evolving regulatory frameworks.
Jasvinder believes success in this transition lies in continuous learning. He encourages seafarers considering similar moves to strengthen their understanding of documentation and regulations while building soft skills such as communication and stakeholder management, which are vital in an onshore setting.
A Career Anchored by Family
For Abin Joseph, the decision to move onshore for both career growth and family reasons. After 13 years at sea, including several as Chief Engineer, he took on the role of Vessel Manager in Hong Kong.
He shares that time away from loved ones became increasingly difficult after starting a family, and the opportunity to work onshore allowed him to balance professional and personal life.
Adapting to office life brought new challenges, particularly managing multiple vessels instead of one, but with the guidance of a supportive team and structured onboarding, the transition was smooth.
Abin highlights the importance of teamwork and transparency in his new environment.
“A strong, supportive team is vital. Your success depends not just on your skills but on the cooperation and support of your colleagues, managers and family.”
he says.
He describes his transition as a learning process strengthened by community.
“Adapting was made easier thanks to structured training and support from my colleagues. A structured two-week training programme in India and a one week of shadowing period in Hong Kong equipped me with the knowledge and confidence to manage multiple vessels. Sharing both professional and personal experiences helped me settle in Hong Kong.”
His story shows how Fleet Management’s culture of support extends beyond the vessels, fostering trust and support at every level.
A Master’s Broader Horizon
For Captain Luo An, who spent 15 years at sea rising to the rank of Master, the move to shore opened a broader horizon. Now Manager of Dry Operations in Hong Kong, he oversees 20 vessels, a responsibility that demands coordination, professionalism and foresight.
He notes that while life at sea teaches decisiveness, life onshore calls for collaboration and process driven thinking.
“It requires shifting from decisive, immediate command at sea to collaborative, process driven management onshore”
he reflects.
What stands out to him most is Fleet’s strong sense of professionalism and pride. The office environment, he says, mirrors the discipline of life at sea, helping him keep the same sense of purpose he had on the bridge.
Luo’s guiding principle remains the same: stay hands on and grounded. He believes practical experience forms the foundation of success, whether onboard or onshore.
Steering the Future Together
From Jasvinder’s focus on innovation to Abin’s dedication to teamwork and Luo’s emphasis on professionalism, these journeys capture what makes Fleet’s culture unique. Each story is a reminder that while the setting may change, the seafarer’s mindset, built on discipline, resilience and care, continues to steer our company forward.
At Fleet Management, we deeply value our people who have made the journey from ship to shore, bringing with them not only technical expertise but also the values that keep our organisation strong. Their experiences ensure that wherever we work, onboard or onshore, we continue to navigate with integrity, expertise and passion.
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