Crossworld

CROSSWORLD MARINE SERVICES

CREW WELFARE, CHARITY WORK AND CONTINUOUS DEVELOPMENT Powered by Inside Marine

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CROSSWORLD MARINE SERVICES

I PROFILE

Crossworld Marine Services is a first-class provider of reliable crew and ship management. With a special anniversary approaching, Captain Levy Capayas, President of Crossworld, reflected over the past two decades and gave insight into where the company is headed next. Report by Imogen Ward.

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W

ith a stellar reputation for award-

that has helped us gain a significant

winning crew management,

market lead.”

Crossworld Marine Services is

With roots dating back to the 1980s,

well-established in Asia, Europe and the

Crossworld, as is it is known today,

Middle East. Manila, Philippines, has been

manages a fleet of more than 380 vessels.

home to the company’s main recruitment

Onboard those ships are highly qualified

and operations centre since it was first

crews drawn from 5,800 seafarers, who

established in 2004. Now, with its 20th

ensure the ships are maintained and run

anniversary around the corner, Crossworld

smoothly. From bulk carriers to oil tankers

is geared to continue its journey of

Crossworld provides a fully comprehen-

improvement and progression.

sive service based upon three main

“Next year marks 20 years since we brought Crossworld to Manila,” Captain

focuses: principle, seafarers and families, and Crossworld human resources.

Levy Capayas, President of Crossworld, said. “The company developed from

Overcoming challenges

Captain Leonidas Varias’ background in

As an experienced crew management

crew management: since then, we have

company, Crossworld understands what

expanded into other markets including

it takes to create the perfect environment

Ukraine and Indonesia. We also have

for successful crew operation.

offices in Limassol, Cyprus, and Dubai,

“First and foremost, to provide excep-

UAE, which are hotbeds for shipping,

tional services a company needs to have

commercial and financial opportunities.

an understanding of the industry’s needs

“At Crossworld, we are constantly improving, and it’s a continuous effort

and be incredibly responsive to those needs,” said Captain Capayas. “The industry

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CROSSWORLD MARINE SERVICES

I PROFILE

The three key focuses: • The principal focus ensures a top quality and tailor-made service, including regular crew updates and solid IT support.

• The seafarers and families element encourages development and wellbeing in seafarers and their significant others.

• The human resources focus incorporates training

dynamics are constantly shifting as both

pany is also partnered with several

company and crew mindsets adjust, and

training centres, including UMTC,

we can continuously and quickly adapt to

Philcamsat, Gigamare and Idess.

these changes to provide the high-quality service that our clients require.

“On top of that, we also go beyond crewing

“Our corporation model is targeted towards solving industry challenges, and we already had the resources in place to

to provide valuable consultancy recom-

make a difference,” Captain Capayas said.

mendations for technical operations and

“We have been working with several top

handling to allow optimal ship performance.”

academies, including the Philippine

One challenge that the company has had

Merchant Marine Academy, to help solve

to adapt to was amplified by the recent

the issue of crew shortages by developing

pandemic. According to Captain Capayas,

a sustainable pipeline of crew for our clients’

the industry has witnessed an increasing

pools. We have also recently opened

shortage of qualified crew members. As a

programmes for several special positions,

crew operator, Crossworld felt it was in the

including Electro-Technical Officers, and

perfect position to help solve this problem

currently we train around 200 cadets

utilising its own corporation model and

annually in an attempt to close the gaps.

resources to do so.

“These programmes have not only helped

From its in-house accredited training

bridge the seafarer need gap but have also

facility, the company has been providing

generated substantial monetary savings

continuous training and development for

for clients. We have also utilised them to

its crews, including Port State Control

offer early development and qualifications

Training, Cyber Security Awareness and Safety Officer Training. The com-

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for crews, in response to the evolving requirements of the industry.”

With a strong commitment to the health

mental wellbeing. The group also offers the

and safety of its crews, the company

wives of seafarers an excellent opportunity

also has a HSQE plan in place. Through

to meet people who are in a similar situa-

this, it endeavours to provide a safe

tion, actively creating a supportive network.

and healthy workplace environment

“We know for a fact that when sea-

for everyone involved.

farers are out at sea, they think about their families a lot,” Captain Capayas said:

Supporting a community

“so, we wanted to make sure that once

For Crossworld, this is more than just a

they are onboard, they don’t have to worry

business. The company fully appreciates

so much about who’s going to take care

that crewing means long-periods away

of those at home. We run activities for

from home, which affects both the crew

the families, and really strive to create

members and their families. To try and ease

an environment where everyone feels

the difficulties of the separation period,

a part of the same unit.”

Crossworld provides support for those at

Having ensured the wellbeing of crew

home. The company has set up a club for

and family members, the company also

the wives of seafarers. At the most recent

plans to implement crucial schemes for

Seafarers Day, club members were taken

the support of its office staff as well. This

on a spa day to encourage relaxation and

includes hot-desking (which will also have

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CROSSWORLD MARINE SERVICES

I PROFILE

a positive impact on carbon emissions reduction) and provisions for healthy meals; providing more choice that not only tastes good, but does good too.

Laying firm foundations As an extension of this, in 2015, the company also established its own charity foundation from a desire to help those in need. The foundation consists of three divisions: Hopecross, that supports children with cancer; Helpcross, that aids those affected by natural disaster and, finally, Achievecross, that assists students from

Captain Levy Capayas, President of Crossworld

poor economic backgrounds.

Some of the amazing work accomplished by the foundation includes offering schol-

the local community,” Captain Capayas

arships to university students, donating

said. “Through our foundation, we are

school equipment and clothing to students,

currently supporting between 20 and

and raising money for hospitals.

30 orphans, providing them with school

“Whenever there’s an opportunity to do so, we get out of the office and support

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materials, tuition fees and everything they need to really thrive.”

Going forward, the company intends

part of this, we are implementing

to continue its work within the wider com-

a major digitalisation of the company

munity, whilst also maintaining its status

from the fourth quarter of 2023.

as a leading crew operator.

“I have no doubt that we can achieve

“We want to remain at the top of the

this, with such a supportive manage-

crewing industry, with a focus on quality

ment backing us. Their encouragement

over expansion,” said Captain Capayas.

shines through everyone that works

“We will continue to provide and manage

here as well. The team is full of hard-

solid and sustainable crew pools for our

working and happy individuals whose

clients. Just as vessels and corporations

smiles never seem to waver,” Captain

are viewed as one, we feel it is important

Capayas concluded. “Ultimately, man-

that we are seen as both a crewing partner

agement and colleagues here at

and a shipping partner. Our quest for

Crossworld are all working together

quality incorporates us being a top-quality

towards one common goal, and that is

ship operations partner as well – even if

to serve our clients, our seafarers and

our scope is crew management. As

their families.”

n

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