United Ocean has recently celebrated its 10th anniversary in India in a grand way at Hotel The Grand Intercontinental, Mumbai. Mr. Vipan Sharma, President, United Ocean Group, has ambitiously led his organization to the big times in the maritime industry through a spate of vessel acquisitions and related activities in Japan, Singapore, Mumbai, Delhi and USA.Speaking on the occasion, Capt. Dev Masurekar, Director -Indian Operations, said that their company has entered into the next phase beginning with the launching of their 54000 tonner Chip Carrier. m.v. Glorious Plumeria , at Tsuneishi shipyard, Japan, on 9th January, 2007. United Ship Management Pte Ltd. which started its operations in Mumbai in 1996 with four handy-max ships, has been steadily growing over the years.More than 40 yard deliveries, all from Japanese shipyards, have been one of the highpoints of this young company, during its past 10 years in operation.United Ocean's 10th anniversary get together was a true representation of the who's who of the shipping industry. Professionals mixed freely and renewed old ties while building new ones amidst the backdrop of lilting old Hindi music presented by a live orchestra. The evening progressed with cocktail followed by a lavishly laid out dinner. Music and dance interspersed the event and made it lively. The jovial mood of hosts as well as the guests, said it all.

Riding a New Wave

The Marine World interacted with Capt. D.J Masurekar and we bring to our readers his words that describe the spirit with which an Indian owned shipping company, United Ocean has achieved prominence in a fiercely competitive country as Japan

TMW: What have been your organization's strategies lately?
Capt. Masurekar: United Ocean has witnessed a fleet expansion lately. We are poised to grow as a major player in the Wood Chip Trade with 5 more chip carriers joining our existing fleet of chip carriers. We are also entering the PcTc trade, with 8 brand new and state of the art, Pure Car and Truck carriers, each carrying more than 5200 Cars and Trucks. They will be delivered over the next 3 years beginning with the first takeover around the same time next year.Our current fleet includes 23 vessels of which 18 are fully owned.The “New Wave” slogan and posters that you are seeing around you, reflect our new plans, new dreams, new ambitions, new resolves and resolutions beginning from Jan 2007.This so called wave that commenced on 9th January, 2007 at Tsuneishi, has traversed to Tokyo to celebrate the event and thence to Cebu, Philippines by 17th January to witness the yard delivery of MV Ocean Paradise, a 58000 MT Bulk Carrier. Ocean Paradise is the third of the 22 vessels, our President, Mr. Vipan Sharma has committed to Singapore Flag. We are happy to say that the Singapore Maritime Authority has lent its full cooperation to United Ocean in this regard. By 22nd January, the wave reached Sentosa Island , Singapore, where Mr. Vipan Sharma, the President of United Ocean Group and Mr. Katsushige Kambara, President of Tsuneishi Holdings Corporation, Japan, signed the agreement for yet another PcTc to be aptly named m.v. “United Sentosa “

TMW: What's unique or special about United Ocean?
Capt. Masurekar: These are pompous words and claims.We make no such claim, but I love to see and hear that our staff on board and business associates ashore feel and experience that we always treat them as something special.We are basically an ownership company and manage our own affairs as good as anyone else.If having a young fleet of vessels with competent staff on ships and ashore, and some of the biggest names in Japan as your business associates, means 'special' to you, then you may go ahead and give us that tag. My own experience tells me that all good companies run their show in their own special way, and there is nothing unique or extraordinary about this.

TMW: How do you retain your competitive edge towards HR retention?
Capt. Masurekar: Personal relationship and competitive wages are two ingredients that decide the fate of manning agencies.We have managed the balancing act creditably so far, but mixed manning is now inevitable in future. However, an “All Indian manning” will always remain our preferred option, whenever possible.Currently, the average age of our fleet is just about 3 years.This has its own advantage and does help in attracting officers whose priority is 'young and safe' ships.We have an excellent safety track record; we take no short cuts and enjoy a fairly healthy retention rate. There are a lot of professionals for whom working in safe environments and with compatible complement on board is very important. In this regard, we are definitely one of the best options available for seafarers, especially non-tanker men.

TMW: Are you planning to set up a training centre to meet the growing requirements of your growing fleet?
Capt. Masurekar: There are enough Training centers all over the country and elsewhere to take care of shore-training.We are therefore concentrating on on-board Training and assessment, to have uniform practices and understanding of our requirements, throughout the fleet.This is supplemented with in-house seminars at regular intervals.

TMW: What are the current trends in the manning industry?
Capt. Masurekar: Nothing new!The same old pain is becoming more acute!! Earlier the wages were being revised once in two or three years, now they get revised at least twice in a year!! All of us are trying to hold on to what we have by using all the resources available at our disposal. If the shortage continues, all the jobs that are readily available for Indians as first choice --, will be gobbled up by other nationalities.If corrective measures are not taken on a war footing, a lucrative career may slip out of our hands.

TMW: Please let us know about your fresh recruiting plans?
Capt. Masurekar: For the first time in past 10 years, we are looking at Philippines as an alternate option for recruitment and are inducting Deck cadets and Junior Engineers from there in a big way, to stem the expected exodus of Indian Officers towards tanker fleets. In China and Philippines, what we are looking at and getting, is an assurance of minimum 5 years service after obtaining the first certificate of competency in acknowledgement of giving a career-break and recruitment at grass-root level. In the light of acute shortage here, this assurance is most comforting. Therefore, until we find a solution to this otherwise eternal problem, we shall continue to woo the Indian officers on one side whilst simultaneously consolidating our future with alternate options as necessary.

TMW: Your future plans
Capt. Masurekar: As said earlier, we will continue to build new vessels and grow at a steady pace.The new wave will bring more Wood Chip carriers and more Pure Car and Truck Carriers & Bulk Carriers, in the near future. As always, we look at the future, which is full of opportunities, with all optimism. It can only get better and better and better.