Campbell

PEOPLE-POWER FUELS SHIP MANAGER’S GROWTH

In CEO Captain Rajesh Dhadwal’s opinion, Campbell Shipping is a different fish in the global ship management pool due to a strong emphasis on its people’s wellness. With everyone pulling together, it has enabled the company to confidently diversify into new sectors. Andy Probert learnt more from Capt Dhadwal and his team.

Campbell Shipping has always been proud of being different: an independent thinker strong on supporting its staff. With over 600 crewing employees (around 80% from the Indian sub-continent), its attention on their wellness and safety is among the best in the industry.

While managing and operating 15 bulk carriers, the Bahamas-headquartered company has successfully diversified into new sectors, including managing cruise ships, landing crafts and tug boats.

“Based in the Bahamas, and with 40 per cent of the cruise market centred on the Caribbean, a client came to us with a need to manage a cruise ship, and we duly stepped up,” said CEO Captain Rajesh Dhadwal. “We then fully expanded into the cruise sector in 2020, enabling us to build our experience and expertise in-house.

“We now offer a comprehensive service to many cruise operators, from handling dry dockings to managing vessels. It has been challenging but highly successful.”

Today, the company manages the Cordelia Cruises, 1,840-passenger

capacity MV Empress, one of the biggest vessels and a well-recognised brand serving the Indian market.

“Campbell is delighted to have extended into this dynamic and exciting sector and to be engaged in strategic partnerships with clients who philosophically align on how we do business,” Captain Dhadwal explained. “We are now in dialogue with other cruise operators and potential partners to expand our services to other vessels.”

Client focus

Prominent Scottish naval architect George Campbell founded Campbell Shipping after World War II. First domiciled in Canada, the company moved to Japan, where Campbell settled and began building his Freedom Series design vessels in 1950, where he attained rapid success and opened the doors for mass business expansion.

In the 1960s, Campbell holidayed in the Bahamas and moved his business there. In 2009, it began operating as Campbell Shipping, with technical management of vessels as its core business.

The company, which also has offices in India and Singapore, operates its vessels globally, carrying a range of dry cargo commodities on charter to major first-class operators. Chartering Director Felix Knick has been instrumental in setting up Campbell’s operating arm since joining in 2020: “We shifted the initial focus as a Handymax and Supramax tonnage provider towards an owner-operator model. We now provide expertise in the Handy to Panamax dry bulk and breakbulk segments.

“Our global team focuses on providing tailor-made freight solutions to meet clients’ needs and has since broadened its scope to lift project cargos for other clients. Flexibility and adaptability are at Campbell’s operational core.”

Capt Venkat Kesav, HSEQ Risk Manager, emphasised the values at Campbell: “Its mission, vision, ethics and values resonate and align with my personal values. I am pleased to be working with a team that makes me feel motivated and a valued asset in executing my responsibilities and assisting others effectively.”

Felix K Chartering Homi Bharda, Chief Culture Officer

Mr Amit Ghosh, Technical Manager Capt Rajesh Dhadwal

Crew wellness

Capt Dhadwal was keen to highlight that Campbell’s success was due to its laserlike focus on the wellness and safety of its employees, both onshore and at sea.

Among its many initiatives was the appointment of trained psychologist and life coach Homi Bharda as Campbell’s first Chief Culture Officer.He has since sailed on eight ships, spending five to 15 days with the crew, providing counselling, oneto-one coaching, mental wellness, leadership and team-building development.

“We didn’t want him to sit in an office on the end of a phone,” Capt Dhadwal explained. “Instead, the Chief Culture Officer sails with the seafarers and is ready to talk to them when they finish work. This has been very well received by our seafarers.”

“At Campbell, we thoroughly understand the seafarers’ DNA and operational and personal challenges,” Mr Bharda agreed: “We are committed to building trust and a safe psychological environment where they can discuss and express their

deepest anxieties. It helps them free up the knots they have deep within them. No words can express the transformation this brings to them.”

Campbell has also recruited a nutritionist to work with ships’ cooks and mess committees to ensure crews receive healthy and balanced meals. The nutritionist also offers free consultations with seafarers and their families, guiding them on diet, weight loss and managing diabetes.

“The firm backs up its intent with a committed infrastructure, high ethics and a wellbeing environment to meet its operational goals and aspirations of seafarers,” said Sailing Master Captain Aditya Bajpai. “Shore teams spare no effort to support the vessel with timely and high-quality supplies, prompt technical support, updates, and guidance from HSEQ. The most valuable gesture I value Campbell for is its effort to build connections with seafarers’ families.”

Capt Dhadwal echoed this point: “We want to send a message to the industry

Knick, g Director

CAMPBELL

that a role like our Chief Culture Officer’s should be mandatory, especially for cruise ships with hundreds or even thousands of crew members on board.

“Campbell wants to inspire the marine industry to prioritise the wellbeing of its seafarers. We put people first. Our seafarers leave their families behind when they go to sea, but they become part of our family.”

Unique approach

Underpinning all these initiatives is The Campbell Target Operating Model, a business model developed in-house and unique to shipping. It ensures everyone in the organisation is updated and enables the application of a corporate strategy or vision.

The company has also developed the LJM Maritime Academy in the Bahamas, incorporating the latest navigation and engineering simulators, firefighting and life-saving training facilities and an engineering training workshop.

In its post-Covid journey towards greater business intelligence and digitalisation, Campbell shipping installed Alpha Ori’s Smartship platform to enable AI instrumentation to gather critical real-time data on vessels. This has also helped shift the maintenance philosophy from reactive to proactive.

The company also benefits from a highly effective ERP system and the positive influence of purchasing association, Marcas, of which it is a member, through

which it has access to vendors and procurement assistance.

“While adapting cutting-edge technologies, we are mindful of global warming and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Fleet Technical Manager Amit Ghosh. “One such measure has been using high-performance silicon paint on our fleet’s hulls.”

“By being at the forefront of cutting-edge technology, Campbell Shipping can make the right decisions to reduce its carbon footprint,” Capt Dhadwal explained, in conclusion. “While strongly emphasising our people’s professional growth and personal development, we also understand the challenges and frustrations of fellow ship owners. That’s why we always strive to exceed the expectations of clients –through having a highly flexible approach while offering a quality service that is reliable and timely.

“The soul of the company is truly our values, and this coupled with teamwork of our people pulling together in the one direction – for the betterment of themselves, Campbell Shipping and our clients – remains the fundamental ethos here.”

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Capt. Venkat Kesav Receiving InterManager Safety Leadership Award 2019