Welcome December 2024

Dear Seafarers,

Welcome to the last Seafarer Bulletin of 2024. This is a chance to reflect on an exciting year and look forward to building upon our successes in 2025.

Much of our focus has been on delivering for our customers and transitioning to our new ownership consortium during 2024.  At sea, the energy and commitment exhibited by our crews has continued to ensure outstanding service delivery for V.  

Renewed thanks to all our seafarers for the massive contribution in ensuring we reach our goals, while keeping safe in all operations and daily activities.

The launch this year of the Seafarers Bulletin has aimed to inform and engage our seafarers.  We always welcome your feedback or content suggestions to comms@v.group

Happy Seafaring!

Allan

Allan Falkenberg

Chief Operating Officer, Marine HR

Manila Family Day & Christmas Party

We are delighted to share with you one of our biggest engagements at V. Manila as we celebrate our Family Day & Christmas Party along with our dear seafarers and their families.

Over 380 people attended this very momentous event who were graciously welcomed by our V. Manila leaders and colleagues headed by Mr. Leandro Paolo L. Reyes, Regional Crewing Operations Director, Mr. Sharad Saldanha, Global Director of Operational Support and Industrial Relations and Mr. Rory MacKenzie, Voyage Loyalty Manager. Indeed, it was a day full of fun and high spirits as you can see in the pictures 😊.

At V. we believed the importance of family day as it provides opportunity to reconnect and strengthen the bonds to our silent heroes – our seafarers and their families!

Also, one of the highlights of this occasion is honouring our seafarers who had been in the company for over 15, 20, 25 and 30 plus years. To give everyone entertainment, Manila’s Finest Circus gave us some spectacular acts which included flipping acrobats, juggling and breath-taking exhibitions. It was indeed full of fun and excitement! The organising committee also prepared raffle prizes, exhilarating parlour games, awarding of Best in Carnival Theme Outfit and gift giving for the kids. Finally, Ms. Mercy Espinosa, POMI General Manager shared her closing remarks.

On behalf of Seafarer Centre team, the organizer of this memorable event, we would like to thank everyone who supported us (as always) Global Marine Travel (GMT), V. Oceanic, ShipMoney, Voyage Loyalty the management and to Ms. Katie Lea, Director V. – Culture and Engagement.

Praying for more blessings for 2025! Cheers and thanks to Jenalyn Estrera for sharing! 

Voyage Loyalty – Awards for Safe Practices

Voyage Loyalty has added awards for the safe operation and management of vessels, and for contributing to a positive safety culture and outstanding service delivery.

The Voyage Loyalty team seek to add engagement activities for the correct, effective, accurate, and timely completion of tasks, activities, and reports that contribute to our overall performance, internally and for our stakeholders.  Those behaviours and actions that contribute to our safety performance and outstanding service delivery can be further awarded with Voyage Loyalty.

SeaStars will be granted to Voyage Loyalty members at the end of each voyage, based on the vessel’s overall safety performance. 

V.’s unique and innovative reward program has been running for the last 12 months for around 1150 Filipino Officers, with the added partnership from Oceanic, adding Filipino Galley Crews to the eligible pool in September.  

A planned expansion follows the enthusiastic response in the Philippines and is due to open eligibility to all officers early in 2025. Look out for your invitation to join Voyage Loyalty and be further rewarded for your loyalty to V.

Find out more about Voyage Loyalty below.

New Head of Global Cadet Programme

Captain Artem Panchenko has become the new Head of the Global Cadet Programme. Artem started out as Cadet with V. before moving up through the ranks to become a Master, then moving into shore based training roles within the V. Group Assurance team, and is a familiar face to many across V. Group.  

“As the Head of Global Cadet Programme at V.Group, my primary responsibility is to develop and coordinate our Global Cadet Programme, which spans key regions, including India, the Philippines, Europe, Ukraine, the Black Sea countries, and other parts of the world.”

“My goal is to establish an efficient system that supports young seafarers in progressing from their first steps in the profession to reaching the highest levels of achievement. Drawing on my own experience, I understand the challenges cadets face and am committed to using this insight to guide and support them on their journey.”

“I also aim to ensure that cadets not only receive excellent technical and professional training but also develop the leadership, adaptability, and resilience required to thrive in a rapidly evolving sector. I’m passionate about fostering an environment where cadets feel valued, supported, and motivated to excel. My focus is on aligning the program with industry best practices and compliance standards while tailoring it to the unique needs of our company and the specific demands of our clients. I also see significant potential in leveraging technology and partnerships to enhance the learning experience and create a stronger connection between cadets and their future career opportunities.”

Artem’s own example of progressing from a cadet to a captain within V. Group will no doubt inspire cadets and demonstrate the opportunities available within V.  Indeed, we want our cadets to understand that V. Group is not just a company but a true 'V. Family' that supports them every step of the way.

Many of our seafarers continue to excel and learn within their roles having started out as cadets and we are confident that you will all support Capt. Artem and the upcoming generation of seafarers.

Training and Development in Focus

The last NaVigate Leadership Seminar of 2024 was held from December 2nd to 4th in Manila, with over 70 senior and junior officers from various ShipMan Fleet, as well as shore-based colleagues in attendance.

The seminar provided an opportunity for both onshore and seafaring teams to discuss leadership challenges and exchange ideas on how to improve overall service delivery. It also aimed to strengthen the connection between ship and shore teams.

The seminar began with a Business Update by Mario Moretti, Managing Director of V. Ships Asia Group & Chennai, who highlighted the company’s priorities and future goals. This was followed by a Ship-Shore Relationships Workshop. The first day included sessions on Leadership at V., Self-Awareness, Cultural Awareness, and Active Listening exercise on Leadership Communication. It ended with a discussion on Situational Leadership, focusing on how leaders adjust their style to different situations.

Day 2 started with a session on Use of VMS and Shipsure, led by Andy Hailu, Operations Director of V.Ships UK. This was followed by a talk on Learning from Incidents and SIRE 2.0, by Gary Henderson, Group Head of Continual Improvement at V. The group gathered for a Group Photo and enjoyed a sumptuous lunch and further networking. The afternoon focused on Customer Focus, Stakeholder Management, and a deep dive into PSC. The day ended with a Workshop on PSC Preparation, where participants learned from past incidents and worked together on various activities.

In the evening, attendees gathered for a Gala Dinner with their impressive attire of dresses and ties. Lively music and conversations filled the room as colleagues from different teams connected, exchanged stories, and enjoyed a delicious meal together. The evening was highlighted by a captivating traditional Filipino dance performance that showcased the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines, offering attendees a unique and memorable experience.

On the final day, the seminar started with a session on Giving Effective Feedback Engagement and Motivation, followed by discussions on Performance Management and Career Development. After the morning coffee break, participants set their personal leadership goals during the Vision into Action session. The seminar concluded with a Q&A session, where participants had the chance to ask questions and gain more insights from the topics covered. Andy Hailu wrapped up the event by encouraging everyone to apply the leadership strategies discussed in their roles and highlighting the role we all play in global trade.

Kudos to the Manila Crewing Operations Team, V. Leaders, and Crew Competence and Development (CCD) Team for their efforts and time in making this event a success!

Look out for the V. Officers Conferences planned for 2025.

The 2025 V. Officers Conferences continue to incorporate NaVigate leadership sessions as well as maintain a focus on key technical and safety messages for our seafarers. Your Crew Management Partner will be in touch with details of the most suitable conference for you.

The V. Photography Competition 2025

The return of the V. Photography Competition for 2025 is an exciting chance to share your life at sea. 

We love to see how our seafarers’ lives can inspire and capture our imagination through rewarding or sometimes challenging conditions while working at sea.

Our last competition was in 2021 when we received a lot of remarkable entries from across the globe.

Once again there are three key themes this year: People, Places and Communities Afloat.

People – Our people are the most valuable resource afloat and we are looking for your portraits that best capture your fellow seafarers, at work and play.

Places – Shipping is global and many of our seafarers chose this lifestyle to see the world. Where have you been this year that captured your imagination in an image?

Communities Afloat – The seafaring community is strong, as is the sense of community we have on our vessels with shared experiences and activities in day to day life. Have you taken any images that encapsulate this sense of community?

The 2025 photography competition is open to both Seafarers and Shore based staff.

Safety and wellbeing are paramount so any images that are not compliant with V.Groups policies and procedures cannot be shortlisted.

The winning picture from each category will receive a travel voucher to the value of USD 250, to be used on tickets purchased from Global Marine Travel (GMT). 

All shortlisted pictures that meet our safety guidelines will be posted on our Instagram page for our followers to help decide the most popular photograph.  The winning images will be those with the most votes within the stated period.

Entries will open in January and look out for further details below.

V.Conversations – Episode 3 is now live!

Digitalisation is the theme for Episode 3 of V.Conversations, the podcast for everyone at V.

In this episode, our host, Sam Shaw, speaks to Stephen Macfarlane, V. Chief Information Officer and Jegan Subramanian, a Team Leader for Vessel Performance Services, about how digitalisation is shaping the future of our industry, especially around decarbonisation, the real-time data-driven insights provided by ShipSure, V.’s marine ERP system, and the role AI is playing in all of these developments.

You can listen to the episode wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for V.Conversations or follow the link below. 

V.CARE: Wellbeing Webinar : Loneliness and Social Isolation

The last V.Care Wellbeing Webinar of 2024 was on Loneliness and Social Isolation. Often this is the time of year when we think of friends or family. We recognise that many of our seafarers look out for each other while you are away from home to avoid the otherwise painful experience of loneliness or isolation.

ComPsych psychologist Sam Cohman led the webinar with some strategies to cope with feelings of loneliness and tips to build meaningful social connections, which can be particularly relevant at this time of year for many of our seafarers.

Are you aware of all the wellbeing resources available to you?

Both the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and inspiration for your wellbeing can be found on the V.Care website, or available through the V.Crew Connect App.

You can also join the V.Care Facebook page to hear from other V. seafarers and families about their journey with V.

ShipMoney

With ShipMoney, you can be confident that your funds are fully secure. ShipMoney accounts are safeguarded by enhanced security measures, including Two-Factor OTP, Visa Secure, PCI compliance, and FDIC insurance.

If you haven't yet obtained your ShipMoney card, speak to your Master today.

ShipMoney: we want your feedback!

We want to hear from ShipMoney users on what you think about the ShipMoney card. Please complete the following survey, in complete confidence, and let us know the positives and negatives of having a ShipMoney card. All responses will be collated and use to improve the service provided by the ShipMoney team. 

Healthy Corner - Christmas Spices

Christmas Spices can add a special something to all sorts of food, all year round. So here's some festive tastes to savour:

Cinnamon

* Warm, sweet, and woody flavor. Often used in baked goods and beverages such as mulled wine.

Contains antioxidants that may reduce inflammation, regulate blood sugar, and support heart

health by lowering cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.

Nutmeg

* Warm, nutty, and slightly peppery. Common in desserts, eggnog, and spice blends.

* Contains antioxidants that may protect against chronic diseases and may reduce inflammation.

Be careful! Nutmeg contains myristicin and safrole when indigested in large amounts, they can cause symptoms of hallucinations and loss of muscle coordination.

Cloves

* Pungent, sweet-spicy, and aromatic. Found in mulled drinks, baked goods, and savory dishes.

* Contains fiber, vitamins, and minerals, rich in antioxidants, may help with keeping blood sugar in check, and helping block the growth of bacteria.

Ginger

* Sharp, warm, and slightly sweet. A stable in gingerbread and festive drinks.

* Can treat nausea, aids digestion, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and may lower blood sugar levels, improve various heart disease risk factors in people with diabetes, and indigestion and stomach discomfort.

Cardamon

* Sweet, citrusy, and aromatic. Used in baked goods, chai tea, and spiced dishes.

* Has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and may help lower blood pressure.

Allspice

* A mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove flavors. Found in fruitcakes and mulled cider.

* Rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-infection.

Star Anise

* Sweet, licorice-like flavor. Common in mulled wines and spice blends.

* Used as a Chinese medicine contains powerful bioactive compounds, and helps treat fungal. bacterial, and viral infections.

 5 Ways to Enjoy Christmas Spices

Spiced Morning Porridge

Add a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg. or cardamon to your morning porridge. Combine with the milk of your choice, fresh fruits, and a drizzle of honey for a cozy. flavorful breakfast.

Goes well with: A sprinkle of chopped nuts or some nut butter.

Cinnamon Baked Apples

Core and stuff apples with a mixture of cinnamon, oats, and nuts. then bake until tender. The warmth of cinnamon complements the natural sweetness of apples.

Goes well with: A drizzle of honey or nut butter.

Cardamon Rice Pudding

Mix ground cardamon into warm rice pudding for a fragrant, citrusy flavor.

Goes well with: Sliced almonds or dried fruits such as raisins.

Ginger Stir-Fry

Grate fresh ginger into stir-fry dishes for a zesty kick. Combine with soy sauce of low salt, garlic, and sesame oil to make a flavorful sauce for vegetables, tofu, or meat.

Goes well with: A squeeze of lime or a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Baked Spice Treats

Add ground spices such as cloves, allspice, and ginger into healthy cookies and muffins, or holiday bread. Perfect for holiday desserts or an afternoon snack.

Goes well with: A warm cup of spiced tea or chai latte.