7 minute read
Swiss shipping excellence
ABC MARITIME I PROFILE
Celebrating 40 years’ in the maritime industry in 2022 with centuries of accumulated experience through its dedicated team, Switzerland’s ABC Maritime AG is a veteran of the ship management game. Since its founding in 1982, the company has taken over 160 ships of every description under its management care. But rather than just focusing solely on the care of ships, the company is also invested in a holistic management approach that includes investment in people; either working on board or working ashore. Daniel Tanner, CEO of ABC Maritime, discussed the company’s management philosophy with Richard Hagan.
Whilst the Covid pandemic rages on and shows no sign of slowing down, countries around the world are confronted on an almost weekly basis with excruciating decisions involving curtailing movement, limiting freedoms and shutting international borders.
For most of us, these limitations have become nothing much more than an extended annoyance and a subject of strongly-worded social media rants. But it’s easy to forget that the fundamentals which allow us to cope with lockdowns are only made possible by a vast army of essential workers battling long hours, intense safety protocols and relentless deadlines to bring us the goods and materials that we rely upon on a daily basis.
The shipping industry is, of course, one of those essential services which transports 90% of all the goods and materials around the world. And for ABC Maritime, the welfare of the onboard team members (seafarers) under its management as well as its shore based team members, is a top priority. Seafarers, in particular, face many additional challenges due to ongoing ad-hoc Covid-related border closures affecting their ability to return home or even to their ships.
Caring for the people it employs is a foundational principle of ABC Maritime, one of which it is rightfully proud, confirmed Daniel Tanner, CEO.
“We’ve heavily invested in our human capital, because our people generate the energy for the business to operate on a 24-hour basis, year-round,” he said. “We care about our seafarers and colleagues as though they were family.”
ABC Maritime staff and seafarers are supported by psychology professionals and technology which together monitors and supports their wellbeing. Meanwhile, the company plans to further add to its already commendable holistic crew and staff care through its internal ‘Ethics, Sustainability & Governance’ program which is currently underway.
Comprehensive management services
Whilst the company places immense value on human assets, the ships in its care certainly don’t play second fiddle.
There’s an old proverb that states, ‘You can’t build a reputation on what you’re planning to do’. According to Mr Tanner, ABC Maritime’s reputation in the industry is built upon its actual performance in the decades since it was established.
“The key factor in our history is our long-standing reputation for being a top-tier, total vessel manager.” With the company preparing to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2022, it does indeed have a long history in the business.
The company was established in 1982 in Nyon (just north of Geneva), Switzerland, by Mr Tanner’s father Hans Tanner. Its headquarters has remained in Nyon but today it also has offices in Ukraine and the Philippines in order to best serve the majority of its crews that are based nearby while at the same time planning to expand in more strategically placed locations.
That being said, the company boasts a management history of nearly 200 vessels of every kind having passed through its care over the years. It is therefore experienced, equipped and prepared to provide its one-stop-shop services to any client.
Mr Tanner clarified: “Our clients are from and operate in diverse geographical locations, are from different backgrounds and industry profiles. We’re confident that we can become the shipping industry’s number one preferred vessel manager. With our comprehensive services including technical, crew training and supply, chartering, operations management, victualling, spares and supply chain management, and accounting management, there’s no vessel owner’s need that we cannot meet.”
A particular highlight of the company’s technical services is its Technical and Quality, Health, Safety & Environment teams. Most of these members are ex-seagoing engineers and deck officers and they bring all of that experience with them to the company’s services.
ABC MARITIME I PROFILE
“They are in the best position to understand, react to and manage complex and very demanding scenarios,” confirmed Mr Tanner. “Over 80% of all of our superintendent positions are filled either by ex-seafarers of ours or staff who have been with the company for decades.”
A perfect fit for diverse needs
ABC Maritime has developed its own specialised ship portfolio in two main market spaces: bitumen carriers, and offshore vessels. The company’s fleet currently consists of three bitumen carriers and seven offshore vessels including barges.
Its managed fleet includes 17 product or chemical carriers as well as several other vessels for which the company provides crew management services.
Mr Tanner was keen to highlight the company’s size and flexibility, both of which help contribute to improved financial returns for its customers.
“We are consistently able to impress vessels owners with our high-quality management and the cost-efficiencies that we can provide thanks to our company structure. We also pride ourselves on customising our service offering to match our clients’ profiles and particular requirements whilst ensuring that we always go the extra mile to satisfy their needs.”
One way in which ABC Maritime offers value-added service is through its cloud-based management software.
“We possess innovative technology that allows us to carry out remote monitoring of vessels even in difficult geographic regions and under challenging conditions,” explained Mr Tanner. “Our clients’ vessels are fitted with always-on broadband connections that allow them to be constantly accessible on-demand by clients or our staff.”
Elite certifications with a personal touch
ABC Maritime is particularly proud of the various prestigious international certifications that it has achieved. The company holds a 35plus year Document of Compliance and Safety Management System certified by Det Norske Veritas and Bureau Veritas. The company is also certified with ISO 9001 and 14001 by Det Norske Veritas.
Whilst the majority of the ships in its portfolio are owned by others, ABC Maritime offers the kind of service for those ships that you would expect from someone who actually does own them.
“Our seafarers care for our management fleet as if those vessels were their own, in close collaboration with our shore staff, who feel exactly the same,” Mr Tanner emphasised.
The close working relationship between seafarers and shore support crew enjoyed by ABC Maritime staff is reflected in the company’s unusually strong staff retention record.
“Many of our staff have been with us for over 15 years, with an average employment term of 14 years for ship Masters, and 16 years for Chief Engineers,” Mr Tanner explained.
The company is furthermore regularly audited and vetted by the major oil companies it serves, including Total, Shell, ENI, ExxonMobil and others.
Decarbonisation and emissions reduction in shipping have moved from being trendy buzzwords to action points that all ship owners must confront as a matter of urgency. It’s an issue that Mr Tanner said he and his staff are tackling head-on and hands-on.
“My objective and remit as CEO is to steer us towards a sustainable future based on the various regulations that we must meet. These include those from the International Maritime Organisation as well as other bodies such as the European Union, with all of the goals that the industry must meet by 2030 and 2050.”
ABC Maritime has already begun formulating its decarbonisation and zero-emissions strategies for its future operations, as well as investigating the use of future fuels.
In the meantime, Mr Tanner is proud of everything the company has achieved and is achieving, while being optimistic about the future of ABC Maritime.
“I assumed the honour and privilege of being at the helm of ABC Maritime after my appointment as CEO in 2019. I’m extremely proud of the strength, loyalty and team spirit that every single member of the ABC Maritime family has exhibited, as well as their commitment and resilience. People are the driving force behind our success and they shall always command my respect,” he concluded. n
