SEASPEED MARINE IS PIONEERING IN CRAFTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MARINA INDUSTRY’S TRAJECTORY: ANIL AGARWAL
TFTA : Can you provide an overview of Sea Speed Marine’s core operations in ship chartering, dry bulk shipping, brokerage, and tankers?
Anil Agarwal : Seaspeed Marine is more than 15 years old company and has gone through many cycles of evolution since its inspection in 2007.
We initially started as a crew boat-owning company and bulk carrier ship operators. In 2015, with the induction of new management, we brought our focus to offshore shipping, operating offshore vessels including supply vessels, anchor handlers, DP vessels, PSVs, tugs, barges and other types of offshore units.
We slowly expanded our operations to Tanker vessel broking and chartering, Vessel technical management services, Marine and technical consultancy services and the recent addition to our service portfolio is the Dry bulk chartering and broking desk two years ago.
Our clients are mainly ship owners, charterers, managers, offshore marine construction companies, and underwriters whom we can service through our diverse service portfolio.
Our offices and operations are now expanded to Sharjah, Fujairah with the latest addition in Abu Dhabi and India.
TFTA : What are the key factors that differentiate Seaspeed Marine from other companies in the maritime industry?
Anil Agarwal : We are an ISO 9001:2015 certified company by Bureau Veritas for the scope of Provision of Vessel Chartering, Vessel Brokerage, Ship Management, Marine & Technical Consultancy & Survey Services.
The company is run by a highly committed and professional team where our target is to add value to our clients by helping them efficiently manage shipping projects and creating maximum benefits for them. Our unique team has many years of experience in Main Fleet and Offshore vessel chartering and management. An in-depth understanding of ship operations and market dynamics helps us serve our customers better.
We aim to deliver services and vessels that match the exact requirements of projects and support our clients throughout the project execution. Our focus is entirely on the requirements of our clients and we always target giving our clients much more than just the traditional gambit of services.
We are driven by a “customerfirst” philosophy, which has earned us a reputation for reliability & dedicated service. Our scale and size, along with our independence, means we can offer the kind of scope that our clients need to make their businesses more successful. To meet our client’s ever-changing requirements due to the dynamic nature of the shipping industry, our team is ever ready to do what it takes for the success of the project.
TFTA : How does Seaspeed Marine adapt to changing market conditions and regulations in the shipping industry?
Anil Agarwal : Seaspeed Marine prides itself on its adaptability to evolving market conditions and regulatory frameworks within the shipping industry. We have three mantras to navigate these changes effectively namely research, use of technology, collaborative approach, training, and retraining ourselves. Let me explain. When we say research, we mean that we keep ourselves abreast with the changes in the regularity framework and what methods industry players putting in place to cater to such changes. We can always learn from the industry big brothers who have better resources when it comes to market Intelligence and analysis.
Now as we all know that technology plays such a crucial role in the success or failure of a company, we cannot afford to be left behind and not catch up with the technology and innovation wind.
Embracing technological advancements is integral to our company approach. We have our own in-house information and operation management tools which our team uses to perform our day-to-day tasks. This certainly enhances our operational efficiency and decision-making processes.
Now being a company primarily based out of the United Arab Emirates, it may not be possible to open offices in other shipping hubs, at least not immediately. So, we have identified strategic partners and formed collaborations with them. Presently, we have partners in Greece, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, India, Singapore and China. By fostering strategic partnerships, we gain insights into emerging regulatory requirements and industry best practices, enabling us to adapt proactively and maintain compliance.
Last but not least, we are a firm believer in being ready, training, and retraining ourselves to be ready to offer a professional service as required by the project. We equip our employees with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate regulatory changes effectively and deliver exceptional service to our customers.
TFTA : What strategies does Seaspeed Marine employ to maintain a competitive edge in the global shipping market?
Anil Agarwal : We are a servicebased company and our biggest asset is our team members which propels the company forward. Our biggest customers are our employees and I am in total agreement with the statement that if we take care of our employees, they will take care of our customers. We have a team that functions on three aspects high integrity, high ethics, and high energy. This is what we look for when we induct a new member into our Seaspeed family.
Apart from the above, we focus on bringing operational efficiency across all aspects of its business. We continuously invest in maintaining a database of a modern and versatile fleet of vessels. By keeping our database updated, we enhance quick response to our clients. Our partners across the globe help us to provide excellent and professional services 24 x 7.
Last but not least, I cannot emphasize enough on having customer-centric approach. I am proud to say that our most business comes from retained customers due to our fostered long-term relationships with them. But as they say no business can survive only on words, so we try to sustain our relationship with our customers by providing personalized services, tailored solutions, and responsive support, thereby enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
TFTA : Can you discuss any recent developments or initiatives undertaken by Seaspeed Marine to enhance its services or expand its business portfolio?
Anil Agarwal : Seaspeed Marine has recently embarked on a strategic initiative to bolster our presence and service offerings by establishing new branch offices in Abu Dhabi and Noida India. This expansion signifies our commitment to enhancing accessibility and efficiency for our valued clientele in the Abu Dhabi region and catering to the Indian market. By establishing a local presence, we aim to provide more personalized and timely services suited to the specific needs of customers in that region.
TFTA : How does Sea Speed Marine prioritize safety and environmental sustainability in its operations?
Anil Agarwal : We place utmost importance on safety and environmental sustainability in all aspects of our operations, implementing comprehensive measures to uphold these core values.
We adhere to stringent standards such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO), ensuring that all vessels under our management comply with rigorous safety protocols. We conduct regular inspections, audits, and training programs to maintain the highest levels of safety performance.
Also, we invest in Training and Education. We always promote a safety-first culture among our employees. We have developed robust Safety Management Systems (SMS), which serve as a comprehensive framework for identifying, assessing, and mitigating operational risks. These systems facilitate proactive risk management, continuous improvement, and the promotion of safety awareness throughout the organization.
In summary, we demonstrate a steadfast commitment to safety and environmental sustainability through adherence of stringent standards, investment in training and technology, implementation of robust management systems, environmental compliance, conservation efforts, continuous improvement, and continuous stakeholder engagement. By prioritizing safety and sustainability, Seaspeed Marine not only ensures the well-being of its personnel and the protection of the environment but also maintains its reputation as a responsible and ethical operator in the maritime industry.
TFTA : What role does technology play in optimizing Seaspeed Marine’s shipping operations and improving efficiency?
Anil Agarwal : Technology, particularly the development of a comprehensive database for clients and vessels in each segment, plays a crucial role in optimizing our operations and enhancing efficiency in several ways. The database enables us to efficiently match client requirements with available vessels. By storing detailed information about client requirements, cargo types, voyage routes, and vessel specifications, we can quickly identify suitable matches, reducing the time and effort required for vessel selection and chartering negotiations.
Having access to a centralized database empowers our team to make informed decisions based on accurate and up-todate information. Whether it’s assessing vessel availability, evaluating market trends, or analyzing past performance metrics, the database provides valuable insights that facilitate strategic decision-making and optimize resource allocation.
Seaspeed Marine has recently embarked on a strategic initiative to bolster our presence and service offerings by establishing new branch offices in Abu Dhabi and Noida India. This expansion signifies our commitment to enhancing accessibility and efficiency for our valued clientele in the Abu Dhabi region and catering to the Indian market. By establishing a local presence, we aim to provide more personalized and timely services suited to the specific needs of customers in that region
Overall, the development of a comprehensive database and the use of in-house software tools for management information significantly enhances our company’s operational efficiency, decision-making, delivery and agility.
TFTA : Can you share insights into Seaspeed Marine’s approach to building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, partners, and stakeholders?
Anil Agarwal : We prioritize understanding the needs and expectations of our clients and their projects thereby customizing our services accordingly to be more suited to the needs of the hour. One key factor to achieve success in project management is to maintain frequent and transparent communication to keep all parties informed and build trust.
Additionally, we go beyond what is required by the situation and deliver value-added services that exceed expectations, establishing ourselves as reliable partners in the maritime industry. We actively seek feedback to identify areas for improvement and continuously fine-tune our services. Moreover, we invest in nurturing our relationships by providing ongoing support and assistance throughout the vessel operation stage, ensuring stakeholders feel valued and supported beyond the initial transaction.
TFTA : What are the constraints your company in specific and industry in general currently facing?
Anil Agarwal : We all came from a humble background and started the company with our own small savings. So, resources in terms of money, man-power, and infrastructure certainly pose a constraint when it comes to taking risks and taking up ambitious projects which require a bit of little more of all of the above three ingredients. However, the support and response that we have received from our clients is extraordinary. I believe in organically growing the company and continuing to strive harder. When the right time comes, the door will be opened and we can then take a plunge.
As far as the shipping industry is concerned, the risks and constraints are many both local and global. In general, I would like to emphasize on three points namely Regulatory Compliance, Market Volatility driven by local, and global events and sustenance of the environment. However, as industry has overcome challenges in past, we are also moving forward and credible initiatives are taken across industry to mitigate the risk and prevail over constraints.
TFTA : Looking ahead, what are Seaspeed Marine’s goals and aspirations for the future, and how does it plan to achieve them in a dynamic and evolving industry landscape?
Anil Agarwal : We aim to continue working on the shipping domains we are already serving such as vessel chartering and brokerage and improving ourselves with our passing day. We aim to get into ship owning in the next two years and offer a more comprehensive solution to our customers. The expansion of the company is certainly on the cards and our target is to extend our footprint to more locations and work with major regional players. This expansion strategy underscores our commitment to growth and diversification hoping to seize new opportunities and strengthen our position as a significant player in the maritime industry.