Captain Sood, managing director of IMS Ship Management has a way with words. Even when he talks about the problems of high cost of Indian officers his understated sense of humour conveys the paradox of our times. Marine World correspondent met up with him to talk to him about manning issues.

TMW: What is your opinion about the examination system in India and which institute you prefer most for training and why?
Capt. Sood: Well, I feel examination system in India is much better than any other country in the world. We prefer ARI for training because ARI is a professionally managed institute with quality standards.

TMW: Can you tell us about your manning for cruise vessels.
Capt Sood: IMS was mainly doing manning for other types of vessels. But recently we have started doing it for cruise liners in a big way. Presently we are providing cruise vessel staff for our European principals for their cruise vessels. Our foreign principals visited Mumbai and trained the office staff regarding the recruitment for hospitality staff. Apart from the required documents and experience what one requires for the other type of ships is good personality and command over English language.

TMW: Nowadays officers demand high salaries. Please comment.
Capt. Sood: Yes, I agree that officers are running for high salaries. Twenty five ago Indian officers have replaced European officers because Indian officers were available in lesser salaries. In few years Chinese may replace Indians officers if the present salary trends continue.
Chinese are available less than half the salaries. In fact we have recently noted the wages of our Indian third officer comparable to Chinese master on same vessel. While owners today respect the quality of Indian officers and the reputation build with the dedication over a period of time, I am afraid that in more challenging times ahead the Indian officers may suffer a similar plight as Europeans, and owners may explore other nationalities.

TMW: Elaborate on the history of IMS and future plans.
Capt Sood: We have touched all aspects of shipping. The IMS Group was established in 1969 with the launch of International Marine Services. In the initial years, the company dealt online with crew management and marine refrigerant gas supply. Since then, in a short the span of three decades it has progressed to include a wide gamut of shipping and related activities like ship and crew Management, port craft management, private port
pilotage, ship agency, ship husbandry, chartering and brokering operations, ship sale and purchase, ship yard representation, marine equipment supplies, inland container haulage, shipping and transport daily newspaper. IMS was also responsible for establishing India's first private sector LPG Receiving Terminal at Porbander, Gujarat, India, in collaboration with SVH Energy, Holland (A multinational Fortune 500 company). Today the focus of the group is on crew management, dredging, technical cell, commercial cell and events.
Regarding future plans, we are more concentrating on container business. Trade is booming and this is a sunrise industry. Trade is growing at two digits and it is imperative that this industry will see commensurate growth. It is all a matter of making the best use of the situation.

TMW: Can you reveal your secret of organisational training and development --as we have noted some of your past employees have gained significant growth in their careers and have moved to responsible positions and in some cases ventured with their independent enterprise.
Capt Sood: The credit must go to the capabilities of the managers, as we have always identified and picked potential leaders to be a part of our team. First, there is no management interference in the employees work. Employees work independently. We give them responsibilities and they work independently. We groom them in such a way that they get good exposure to the work. The management is very transparent. We give them chance to grow and build entrepreneurship. As per a recent statistical survey, every 12th Indian Seafarer on board National and Foreign flag vessels has been recruited by IMS. Our Fleet Personnel database is not just about building numbers but building relationships. Till date, we have worked with over 5,000 Officers & Ratings.