Many of our colleagues bring with them first-hand ship experience, but not everyone in Fleet has had the opportunity to step onboard. To bridge that gap, Fleet Management has been organising shipyard and vessel visits, giving team members who haven’t sailed the chance to experience life on board and see the heart of our operations up close.

These visits are not just about observing; they are about connecting people with the realities of seafaring, sparking cross-functional collaboration, and deepening the understanding needed to support our mission of powering global trade safely and sustainably.

Learning at the Shipyard

Colleagues from Human Resources joined the Newbuilding team for a visit to Jiangmen Nanyang Ship Engineering Co., Ltd. (JNS) Shipyard. From touring the immense laser-cutting machines to observing how raw steel becomes the backbone of a bulk carrier, the experience offered a rare look into the scale and precision of ship construction.

The group also stepped aboard vessels two vessels under construction, JNS 651 and JNS Phoenix, gaining insight into dry docking, safety checks, and compliance which are the cornerstones of Fleet’s commitment to operational excellence. For HR colleagues, it was a powerful reminder of how their people-focused work is directly connected to the technical realities of seafaring life.

Seeing Safety in Action

In Rotterdam, a member of our Quality and Safety team joined a senior captain onboard a vessel for a safety inspection and internal audit. The visit coincided with a Flag State inspection, allowing her to witness drills, compliance checks, and safety routines first-hand.

Experiencing the rhythm of shipboard life deepened her appreciation of the responsibilities that seafarers shoulder every day, knowledge that will directly strengthen her work in maintaining Fleet’s high standards of safety and quality.

A Day at the Terminal

Our Corporate Communications team had the chance to step aboard a container vessel at Hong Kong International Terminal. From the heights of the monkey island, where cranes moved with remarkable speed and precision, to the careful calculations of the navigation team below, the visit revealed the complexity of port operations.

Exploring every corner of the ship, right down to the engine room, gave the team a new appreciation for the expertise and teamwork required to keep vessels operating safely. The visit also highlighted the importance of storytelling rooted in real experience, something that will strengthen how we share Fleet’s work with the wider world.

Each visit showed how powerful it is when colleagues step onboard: it builds knowledge, sparks cross-functional collaboration, and strengthens empathy for the work of seafarers. These experiences remind us that investing in our people onboard and onshore is essential to driving performance, safety, and sustainability across our fleet.

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