The Manila Times: Seafarers’ Safety Is of Critical Importance

‍Safe and efficient ship operations always boil down to the mental and physical health of the seafarers manning it.

This safety mindset stood at the core of Fleet Management Limited’s Senior Officers’ Conference last Aug. 25-26 at the Lanson Place, Manila.

Fleet Management is among the world’s largest ship management company with over 600 vessels manned by about 27,000 seafarers, 4,000 of whom are Filipinos. It is for this reason that the company emphasized during its Officers’ Seminar how safety and leadership mindset have always been on top of its priorities, thus addressing these through relevant and timely trainings.

According to Capt. Raja Subramaniam, Chief Executive Officer of Fleet Management, the company is looking at the future of shipping and seafaring when it laid out training plans for their crew.

“We are reinforcing digitalization and decarbonization in our trainings. The technology in shipping evolves fast, evolving operations on existing ships and new builds alike. But transitioning takes time, it needs a transfer and development of skills, basic competencies, and familiarization,” Subramaniam said.

This observation was echoed by Angad Banga, CEO of The Caravel Group, the parent company of Fleet Management.

“The pace of change [in shipping] is so quick. There are new regulations and compliances that demand so much from ship owners, ship managers, seafarers, port state control, and the entire shipping system. The challenge now is not the amount of available training, but the quality of the training that is given. How can we best help seafarers to build and retain this knowledge?” Banga said.

He added that with all the technical skills required of a seafarer, soft elements such as leadership are getting overlooked.

“Professional pride is the building block of upskilling the future generation of seafarers. How do we attract the next generation of super smart, 18-year old engineers, to have a career at sea? It is becoming harder to present the virtues of a career at sea to the next generation,” he observed, emphasizing the current challenges faced by the industry such as the ever-evolving regulations, digitalization, decarbonization, piracy, and the geopolitical volatilities in the Middle East and Black Sea.

Subramaniam underscored that in the face of all these challenges, Fleet Management and The Caravel Group remains committed to the safety and security of its seafarers and ships.

“The safety of our seafarers is of the most critical importance. There are so many operational complexities in shipping today; there are so many things to talk about like the weaponization of strategic maritime chokepoints, the threat to free and fair trade, and most of all, the safety of the world’s seafarers — this should be front and center in conversations right now,” Banga explained.

Tapping Filipino Values

Fleet Management and The Caravel Group’s earnest regard to the safety and welfare of their crew stems from the fact that most of them are like family.

The company prides itself with about 87 to 92 percent retention rate of its seafarers, many of whom have started with Fleet Management from the time of cadetship up until the time they have climbed the ladder of promotion and became ship officers and family men.

In an industry where seafarers are in constant hunt for good employers, Fleet Management’s retention rate is quite high. Outsiders may wonder how so.

According to Banga and Subramaniam, professional pride, respect, and care for their family are the keys to keeping Filipino seafarers.

“We keep on reminding them that they are part of something bigger. Whether they are ratings or ship officers, we tell them that they are part of a team; and when you look at the entire aspect of ‘team of teams,’ you will understand that you are part of something larger — world trade, global flow of goods, economic development, and free trade. It is a very powerful tool for reminding of the impact they make. Without seafarers, none of these would happen,” Banga said.

“In Fleet Management, seafarers are entrusted with responsibilities early on. Through empowerments such as technical and soft skills training, they are able to take on more responsibilities in a mission critical job, high stakes, high pressure environment,” he added.

Subramaniam furthered that the company touches on the Filipino values of family and pride.

“Professional pride is the building block of upskilling the future generation of seafarers. How do we attract the next generation of super smart, 18-year old engineers, to have a career at sea? It is becoming harder to present the virtues of a career at sea to the next generation,” he observed, emphasizing the current challenges faced by the industry such as the ever-evolving regulations, piracy, and the geopolitical volatilities in the Middle East and Black Sea.

Banga underscored that in the face of all these challenges, Fleet Management and The Caravel Group, remains committed to the safety and security of its seafarers and ships.

“The safety of our seafarers is of critical importance. There are so many operational complexities in shipping today; there are so many challenges to talk about from the weaponization of strategic maritime chokepoints and threats to free and fair trade, and most of all, the safety of the world's seafarers – this should be front and center in conversations right now,” Banga explained.

“We also have medical health services that are over and beyond what is required for seafarers. And then we have our Care360 app which tells about their emotional health, giving tips to prevent social isolation onboard, providing curated menu and dietary tips for our chief cook. This month, we launched the Pulse app which gives our seafarers a single digital platform for health support, operational updates, and career management.

“Most important is treating them with respect rather than being transactional with our relations. It gives them pride of the profession,” Subramaniam explained.

“Well being is not separate from performance; the latter is driven by well-being. If they are in a great mental state because they know their families are being taken cared at home, they have medical benefit, if they are eating high quality meals, access to exercise equipment, he can focus on his duties while on the bridge. He is not worried. All these things — medical services, internet, food and exercise, proper trainings — it drives the performance that allows seafarers to take more pride in their work,” Banga added.

At a time when the Philippines is grappling with cadetship berths, the Fleet Management’s crew is complemented by “homegrown” seafarers who have started working for their company right after graduation.

“We have dedicated cadet berths and cadet trainings on our ships, they are developed right from the start and were accorded with respect through dignified and position appropriate duties,” Subramaniam said.

With these seafarer services, performance monitoring, and career progression, Fleet Management enjoys a sustainable business growth manned at the core by some of the best maritime professionals.

“Here in the Philippines, family and recognition matters a lot. That is why we provide our teams with sufficient Internet connection onboard to communicate with their families, we also check on their loved ones especially during natural disasters. Having this peace of mind also reinforces a better and focused mindset while they are on duty."

“Wellbeing is not separate from performance; in fact, it is critical to it. If seafarers are in a great mental state because they know their families are being taken cared at home, they have medical benefit, if they are eating high quality meals, have access to exercise equipment, they can focus well on duties while on the bridge. They are not worried. All these things – medical services, Internet, food and exercise, proper trainings – it drives the performance that allows seafarers to take more pride in their work,” Banga added.

Subramaniam explained that Fleet's Care 360 strategy takes a holistic approach to seafarer wellbeing. “We have comprehensive medical health services. Curated menus and dietary tips for our cooks support nutritional health. This year, we launched the Pulse app which gives our seafarers a single digital platform for career management and support, including mental and emotional health, giving tips to prevent social isolation onboard. "

“Most important is treating everyone with respect rather than being transactional with our relations. It gives them pride of the profession,” Subramaniam explained.

“Seventy percent of Fleet Management officers have been former seafarers, the decisions made in the board room are made by people who have been at sea, who understood the challenges, and the complexities. Understanding of realities is very important as to the decisions affecting the safety and security of seafarers. This is the reason why we have so many clients and seafarers with their families constantly urging them to stay with Fleet,” Banga concluded.

This article was originally published in The Manila Times (2 September, 2026): ‘Seafarers’ safety is of critical importance’ | The Manila Times