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Fleet Management has grown steadily over the last two-and-a-half years and now carries out full technical management of a fleet of around 270 vessels belonging to leading owners, with average vessel age of around six years.
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Managing director Kishore Rajvanshy reports that with the cumulative effect of several years� poor markets beginning to take their toll, receiving regular payments from client shipowners is beginning to become a problem in certain cases. �Pre-screening prospective owners and using credit reports where doubt exists is essential,� he maintains.
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�For existing clients facing a liquidity crunch,� he continues, �it is best resolved through open communication, including providing visibility on cost, taking approval for non-budgeted funds and making sure funds are received in advance of committing cost.�
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One way managers can help owners is by ensuring fuel efficiency. Here Rajvanshy notes there are two methodologies � operational and technical. He explains that operational measures include improvement of energy efficiency through �wise� operation under the SEEMP (Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan), while technical measures involve improvement of hardware efficiency as measured by the EEDI (Energy Efficiency Design Index).
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�At Fleet we have implemented the SEEMP and analysed fuel consumption across ship type. Certain KPIs have been identified which have led to significant savings.�
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In addition the manager has helped clients with a wide range of modifications to help improve technical efficiency of existing ships, he adds. Retrofits have included propeller boss cap fins, power factor correction equipment to improve electrical efficiency, frequency controller on pumps and blowers, upgraded autopilot, trim optimisation software, Mewis Duct, and de-rating of engine to accommodate more efficient propeller. �We have offered owners all the options available,� says Rajvanshy.
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As regards seafarer working conditions, Fleet has conducted a gap analysis between the new Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC) and existing procedures, and engaged the services and expertise of class societies in drafting the Document of Maritime Labour Compliance part 2 for various flags. In addition, it has been in close liaison with training centres to adequately brief seafarers prior to joining ships, appointed a dedicated MLC compliance manager and carried out advance planning and booking of inspections.
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Clearly Fleet takes it role as employer seriously, and to this end has implemented its own proprietary onboard safety programme entitled SafeR+ under which employees are rewarded for showing safety leadership. The scheme has received awards for excellence and innovation from the Hong Kong Management Association.
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Seatrade Hong Kong Special Report 2013
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