Page 45: of Maritime Logistics Professional Magazine (Q2 2016)

44 46

carefully, “So, the smartest people – and process, from top to bottom, is, in that’s perhaps a provocative quote – are Frank’s estimation, the key to success. sailing in the tanker trades or liquid car- “That’s the right strategy if you want to go segments. That’s where the bene? ts, optimize and own your operation, con- wages and best working conditions are. trolling costs, income, all these things

So, it’s not necessarily a ‘TORM thing’ bene? t from a fully controlled opera- but that’s where our ships are situated, tion. It is dif? cult to do that with a ship that’s where we need to recruit. There management company.” is a dividing line in the market today, There are exceptions to any rule and where the ? rst tier of seafarers, the best TORM is no different. In Croatia, for professionals, are chosen for the higher example, TORM utilizes a manning paying companies which naturally are agency, but this extends to less than 10% the tanker operators. That includes of of their seafarer pool; approximately course LNG and LPG. And, in terms of 150 Croatian of? cers. Frank explains marine HR, in my experience, the chem- further, “This is a manning agent that ical trades are where you see the hard we have been working with for more core professionals; the top of what I’ve than 12 years. Many of our procedures seen in my time in HR.” are standard in their of? ce. It’s not only

Determining who is the ‘best and a manning agency; it’s more like a part- brightest’ has always been a goal of ner for us. Apart from that relationship, shipping companies everywhere. In however, the seafarer pools are managed the American Jones Act trades, the use in house.” of simulator assessments is now com- Across the globe, a 100% TORM monplace at most quality companies, manning of? ce operates in Manila, and especially when the possibility of pro- a full service Mumbai of? ce – with su- motions to senior positions comes up. perintendents, insurance, and support

TORM is no less enthusiastic about functions – services the India market that effort, but Frank says TORM goes for TORM. In Manila, the main focus about it in a slightly different manner. is manning – but all seafarers being “We don’t always use a simulator as- dispatched from that of? ce are only for sessment. For the Master’s promotions, Torm ships. “That gives us a very strong we do include a simulator assessment in position there to develop our own peo- our process. For the most part, we de- ple and then retain them,” says Frank.

pend on professional assessments and Globally, TORM has taken over about a test that is aligned to the job descrip- 12 ships in 7 or 8 months, the most ag- tion and job pro? le. We are also in the gressive growth that the ? rm has seen middle of a large TORM leadership the OMI acquisition. True to his word, program which has an element of self- Frank is watching over the intake of new assessment, incorporates feedback from talent closely. “During this period, I’m superintendents, and there is a ‘360’ test interviewing all new recruits to senior environment that’s included, as well.” positions. I’m impressed with the type and the quality of the people that we are able to attract. For the top level of sea-

One TORM:

Globally Aware, farers, it is clear to me that we are able to

Internally Controlled put our TORM name and image into the

Where some operators trust their op- market and be able to attract and retain erations – technical and/or operational well quali? ed people. That we run a full – to third parties, very little of that is in TORM operation from start to ? nish is place at TORM. The ? rm’s fully owned one of the reasons that we can do this.” *Images courtesy: TORM | | www.maritimeprofessional.com Maritime Professional 45 34-49 Q2 MP2016.indd 45 5/19/2016 11:38:50 AM