SMALL SHIP MANAGEMENT COMPANY ACHIEVING BIG THINGS

MMS Americas LLC. is a dedicated ISM and ISO9002 certified ship manager, providing high quality and cost-efficient ship management services on a personalised basis. MMS acts only on behalf of its clients and does not own or operate vessels of its own. Ismael Donadio Botello, Managing Director, told Hannah Barnett more about what the company does.

INtoday’s highly competitive environment, there is a growing need for high-quality ship management services which place an emphasis on safety and preservation of the environment, whilst remaining cost-effective and efficient.

Founded in 1989, Florida-based MMS Americas is firmly committed to upholding these high standards.

“Among the smaller companies in this area, we stand out,” said Managing Director Ismael Donadio Botello. “What separates us is that most of the small competitors are one-man companies with no structure, probably operating from home. But we are a small company keeping up with the big guys. All the large suppliers work with us.”

MMS may be small – currently it has only five members among its office staff – but each senior member has more than 25 years of experience within the shipping industry and qualifications as Captains and Chief Engineers. From the HQ in West Palm Beach, Florida, MMS offers ship owners, financial institutions and individual investors a comprehensive range of ship management services.

Significant projects

MMS currently operates ten ships in the busy maritime market of Florida and its surrounding areas, including the Mexican Gulf, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

The company specialises in smaller vessels under 3,000 tonnes.

One of the services MMS offers is technical consultancy. This involves expertise and supervision for dry-docking or repairs, surveys, pre-vetting inspections and other marine-related services, advice on vessels’ registry, consulting on transportation studies, and new business development.

Technical consultancy also involves assisting owners with refurbishment and upgrading of vessels. One large project MMS recently completed was the dry docking of a vessel in in Veracruz, Mexico.

“The Technical Manager was in Veracruz for almost 20 days,” said, Mr Botello. “And we have been deeply involved for the last three or four months, in all the requirements and procurement.

We had to get the parts and materials to satisfy class and flag, then finalise this project in the best, most cost-effective way for the owner of the vessel. It kept us very busy at the end of 2022 and into the first quarter of 2023.”

The project involved repairs on the shaft, rudder and cargo hatches, as well as organising a survey for a ballast water management certificate. “I believe we achieved our goal by managing to keep the costs to what was expected. I am satisfied with the completion of this project,” reflected Mr Botello.

Investing in facilities

MMS has recently refurbished its facilities, installing new computers and upgrading company cell phone plans.

Improved communication all round may be a gamechanger for Mr Botello.

“It means we don’t need to be in the office all the time,” he said. “So, when we are in the field, we can monitor everything from our phones. Even though we are a small company, we have good technology. I can work from anywhere.

“We are partnered with another company, who provides services to bankers and the cruise industry, to switch to a system that can be monitored through the computer. We are in a transitional period at the moment: I still have to sign papers, which is very time consuming and not eco-friendly. But we are moving towards an updated system where we can store all our data and sign documents electronically.”

A strong supply chain

MMS works with several different suppliers. Mr Botello named Integrity Marine, the leading manufacturer of rub rails to boat builders and also highlighted relationships with a number of classification societies including DNV, as integral to the success of MMS.

Mr Botello explained how the company owes much of its success to the work of its former President, who passed away two-and-a-half years ago. “He built this company with solid business ethics,” said

Mr Botello. “Meaning we are respected by the big suppliers because they know we are a responsible company.”

A strong relationship with the supply chain is vitally important for a shipping management company. As Mr Botello put it: “The success of this business is not only dependent on us, but also the services that we can arrange and provide through thirdparty contractors. If they comply with us, then we are happy and the owner is happy.

“We have forged these relationships over the last 33 years. This means if we contact one of the biggest companies, they always open a space for us because they know when they work for us, we’re reliable and trustworthy. At the end of the day, everything is related to money: if they know you pay and are responsible, believe me, they are always going to be there for you.”

Trained and ready

In order for MMS to keep on its successful course, like any company it must keep abreast of trends and invest in the professional development of the workforce.

“One of the most important aspects of this business is human resources,” Mr Botello explained. “We like to invest in our employee training. We believe in giving good service and must be trained to be aware of how the technology of the future will affect owners and the business overall. We manage ves - sels that are 40 years old and others that are ten years old. So, we need to be aware how new rules might impact vessels of dif ferent ages.”

All crew members must pass extensive training from outside sources and are drilled for a wide variety of scenarios, from onboard incidents to oil spills, groundings, fires and abandoning ship.

“I get a lot of queries from owners,” said Mr Botello. “If I don’t know the answer, I never say: ‘I don't know.’ l say: ‘let me investigate, give me a few days and I'll give you an answer.’ But I try always to be ready to give a reasonable and accurate answer to clients. And to do that, I need to study every day and learn from the situations I experience.”

One particularly memorable situation arose recently when a crew member at the dry dock in Mexico suffered a stroke on the boat, requiring MMS to be involved in a complicated logistical process involving the Mexican Navy. That the company were able to organise the right help likely saved the individual’s life. Just another day at the office, as Mr Botello sees it.

“I used to be the guy that schedules everything,” he explained. “But I would only achieve maybe 30 per cent because I would always end up doing other things. I mean, planning is important – I don't want that misunderstood – You have to plan, or you don't get anywhere.

“But the business is so strange and there is always a situation that arises that you could not foresee. And that is the beauty of the job. Expect the unexpected and be sure to perform under pressure.” n