The Marine World's S.Sadanand interacts with Capt. Navin Passey on the occasion of Wallem Ship Management being awarded “Most Compassionate Employer”


In today’s shipping scenario where shortage of officers is the order of the day, perhaps the only differentiator amongst employers may be how well an organizational looks after its employees. Studies and empirical evidence has shown that employees choose a more caring employer all things being equal and are willing to stay on for a long tenure if the company takes good care.

Being awarded the prestigious “Most Compassionate Employer of Indian Seafarers” Wallem Ship Management has secured a permanent place in the hearts of Indian sailors. On the occasion of receiving the award from National Maritime Day Celebrations, Capt. Navin Passey M.D. of Wallem Ship Management says, “respect your employees, be fair to them, and be open and honest with them.” With a core employment philosophy such as this, Wallem Ship Management would certainly muster high employee motivation and thus achieve high employee retention rates.

Wallem group of companies is a one stop integrated maritime service provider. It offers a range of services from ship broking, ship agencies, ship management, and innovative solutions and software development. Further the range of services offers the company extreme cross linkage and integration in its attempt to provide top of the class services.

The Wallem Ship Management group has grown geographically over the decades. An over 100 years old company it has offices in over 44 offices across the different continents of the world. Wallem Ship Management manages over 270 ships and worldwide it employs 7000 people.

On the Indian shores Wallem Ship Management employs 130 support personnel. Capt. Passey says that all the sailors receive ongoing refresher training programs during their entire tenure. The shore-based employees are also given management and motivation training. Capt. Passey asserts that the core strength of their organization is that they listen to their employees and this philosophy has stood them in good stead. Wallem Ship Management follows the “Wallem True North Philosophy” which allows them to focus on the simple ways of management.

TMW: How does it feel on being conferred, “Most Compassionate Employer Award,” during the National Maritime Day Celebrations?

Capt .Passey: Both honoured and proud. I am accepting this on behalf our company as recognition for the long and consistent service that Wallem has always offered to the shipping industry in general and our employees in particular and am happy that our past and ongoing work is being acknowledged. Wallem will maintain the same spirit and attitude and our commitment to the industry shall always remain steadfast. We will strive to see that our employees get the best, and they are always treated with dignity and humanely under all circumstances. As employer, this company takes it upon itself to make employees feel a part of the Wallem family in the true sense.


TMW : The award citation praises the noble HR activities carried out by your organization. What are your HR and motivational policies?

Capt. Passey: Input begets output. We are fortunate to have an excellent work ambience and we have all the necessary workplace facilities to carry out our activities with efficiency both onboard and ashore. But all this would be meaningless and reduced to nothing if we did not have the right people around us. We believe that every individual, regardless of rank and position, is unique and has some individual strength to offer the organization. We are fortunate to have an excellent team of dedicated persons. Indeed, our foundation is in the kind of people who are employed with us. We have persons ranging from those who have been with us for over 35 years, to those that are young boys still undergoing their training and would eventually be absorbed by our organization. Our people are our greatest strength. It is team work, so to trumpet merely what the Company does for its employees would be a bit out of place because collectively we make this Company what it is.


TMW : What do you think are the musts of an organization towards employees?

Capt. Passey: If you ask me what is most important – I will say, respect your employees, be fair, be open and honest with them. Give recognition where it is due wholeheartedly, without losing sight of accountability, off course. I would like to emphasize that a company is built on the strength of the people who work for it. So, treat all employees as part of the family.


TMW : What is the significance of this award to you and to your organization?
Capt. Passey: We now have a greater responsibility to live up to. And we have to do everything within us to honour the recognition accorded to us. At the same time, the award will be a great motivator to work harder.

TMW : What are the efforts being made by your organization to live up to its image, current standards and expectations? What would be the specific path you would like to take?

Capt. Passey: We listen to what people have to say. We have regular meetings with our officers and support staff and these interactions provide a platform for people to understand individual roles better and also to understand the other person’s priorities. We have a system whereby we keep track of individual growth areas, and regular programs are held to help our employees discover their true potential. For us, every employee is a valued customer. My personal goal would be to turn customer satisfaction to customer delight. It pleases me no end to know that our organization members share the same view.

TMW : To that extent, could we say that your company can lead as ‘Employees Champion’ and become an example to the rest of the industry?

Capt. Passey: I think we have already held that position for several years now. The parent Company of the Wallem group was established over a hundred years ago. I believe it has been around this long because of the exemplary work it has done.

TMW : What would be the next milestone for your organization?

Capt. Passey: To achieve a zero injury – zero down time performance all around.

TMW : Your message to seafarers.

Capt. Passey: This is a time of great opportunity for the Indian seafarers. So recognize your worth and get the best from your employer, there is no harm in this. However, pause for a moment to ask yourselves, ‘now that I am getting all this, how can I give back equally to achieve a win-win situation?’ For Wallem, one of our stated Principles is that “Our success lies in our customers success”. To us employees and our Owner- Principals are both customers, so this tripartite union succeeds only with combined efforts of all.