From engagement to involvement: V.Ships launches its Seafarer Leadership Council

V.Ships has formed a Seafarer Leadership Council to give senior seafarers a direct role in improving safety, services and working life onboard.

The Council members are senior officers from different fleets, vessel types, countries and working environments across V.Ships. They will bring practical current experience from vessels into discussions with leaders ashore, as we recognise seafarers' experience is one of the company's most valuable sources of learning, improvement and innovation.

The aim is to move from simply asking seafarers for feedback to involving them in shaping decisions and improvements that affect work and life onboard. Group Director for HSSEQ & Operations and Chief Operating Officer of V.Ships,  Ian Trebinski thanked members for taking on this responsibility. He said the Council would give seafarers a direct way to share their views, knowledge and experience with company leaders.

“We have talked a lot in recent years about seafarer engagement. This is a change from engagement to involvement.”

The Council is not an additional reporting or approval group, and it will not handle concerns about individual cases. Instead the Seafarer Leadership Council will identify common challenges, look at why they keep happening, and recommend practical improvements that could benefit all seafarers and operations.

Members will serve for one year and meet every three months. Between meetings, they will gather views from colleagues and develop ideas coordinated by the Head of Seafarer Development, Capt. Artem Panchenko. Recommendations will be shared with senior operational leaders, with clear owners and target dates for agreed actions.

The initial members for 2026/2027 are:

• Captain Pratik Pawar – Middle East Cluster
• Chief Engineer Igor Lisitcyn - Middle East Cluster
• Chief Engineer Anup Sunil Neshti - Asia Cluster
• Captain Wang Jiebin - Asia Cluster
• Captain Paul Greg Larida - North Europe and American Cluster
• Captain Ivanovs Sergejs - North Europe and American Cluster
• Chief Engineer Illy Ivanov - Mediterranean Cluster
• Captain Andrejs Markelovs - Offshore Fleet
• Chief Engineer Artur Franciszek Studzinski - Offshore Fleet
• Captain Antonio Franciscos - Leisure Cluster

Finding simpler ways to work

At the first meeting in September, members discussed paperwork, changing checklists, difficulty finding information in vessel management systems and the amount of training required. They also asked how useful tools and information can reach every vessel and seafarer. These examples show that shore teams and seafarers may have different views of how well a process works in practice.

The first topic selected by the Council relates to defect management and understanding what influences reporting practices across the fleet.

The Council will explore what is driving the gap between the reporting culture and processes we seek to promote and the experiences and behaviours observed in day-to-day operations, and what changes may be required to make timely and accurate reporting the easiest, safest and most trusted course of action for seafarers.

Turning experience into action

The Council will be successful if it leads to better decisions, clearer communication, simpler ways of working, more effective training and learning, improved safety and a better experience onboard.

Its purpose is simple: to turn seafarers’ experience into practical improvements across V.Ships.

As V.Ships Seafarer Leadership Council evolves and becomes established we hope to share the outcomes and actions across V.Ships, built on the experiences of our seafarers.

Have you accessed ChatV.MS?

Following the launch of ChatV.MS last month we have received positive feedback in accessing the V.MS with the enhanced multilingual tool.

What changed

The V.MS platform was upgraded to improve accessibility, usability and operational support for seafarers and onshore colleagues, including the ability for seafarers to access the V.MS from their mobile devices via the V. Crew Connect APP.

As part of this enhancement, we introduced ChatV.MS, an AI-powered assistant that provides quick access to V.MS information and procedures from directly within the V.MS itself, and with native functionality to provide responses in multiple languages, further enhancing your awareness and retention of V.MS knowledge.

Key Benefits

Online V.MS access for seafarers both onboard, via the newly introduced V.Link platform, and while on leave via the V.Crew Connect APP.

ChatV.MS enables users to:

• Quickly search V.MS content and obtain answers to procedural questions
• Ask questions and receive responses in multiple languages
• Access links to relevant procedures and forms
• Prepare for audits and inspections more efficiently
• Only relevant versions of the V.MS will be shown to colleagues and seafarers
• Optional user feedback on responses can be used to improve procedures and enhance chatbot performance over time
• Lays the foundation for future digital enhancements within V.’s digital infrastructure

Important Points

• ChatV.MS only uses V.MS content as its knowledge source and cannot answer questions outside that scope.
• Responses are AI-generated and should be used as guidance only, with V.MS procedures, policies and instructions remaining the primary source.
• The system is hosted within V.'s internal IT infrastructure and no information is shared externally.
• This enhancement also includes the latest update to the V.MS version (1.0.6).

Access

For seafarers onboard, access will be available through V.Link where there is a good internet connection. The rollout of V.Link across the fleet is already in progress, with separate communications being issued to vessels as implementation continues. Where internet access is unavailable or limited, an offline version of the V.MS will remain available; however, this version will not include the ChatV.MS function. Details on downloading the offline version will be shared through a separate fleet instruction.

Seafarers on leave can continue to access V.MS through the V.Crew Connect APP, supporting easier access to important information whether onboard, ashore or between assignments. Look out for the ship icon in the bottom right of the homescreen.

Voyage Loyalty - Member Benefit Partners

As part of World Maritime Day Voyage Loyalty hosted a series of Family Days at V.Ships Seafarer centres. 

The memorable event welcomed more than 50 enthusiastic and bright children, together with their parents, for a fun and meaningful journey into the world of seafaring. The activities provided the children with hands-on exposure to various shipboard activities, including bridge and engine operations, while promoting pride in the seafaring profession and creating positive memories that they can share with their families and friends.

The Voyage Loyalty programme has continued to expand it's member benefits to enable exciting new global events like family days to continue to improve our rewards and tier structure for seafarers.

An increasing range of exclusive partner discounts including BYD, Victorinox, Luggage Master, Chinooks, Torre Lorenzo and Prime Plus, with new benefits continuing to roll out.


The Breaker White Tier has initially enabled all seafarers from the Philippines to join Voyage Loyalty and benefit from the partner discounts, while all Indian seafarers will be able to join by the end of the year.

Don't miss out—join Voyage Loyalty today and start earning rewards, accessing exclusive offers, and becoming part of a growing community designed for seafarers.

Oceanic Healthy Corner: Supporting Recovery Through Nutrition

Supporting Recovery Through Nutrition

The foods and drinks we consume play a key role in helping the body heal, restore energy, and strengthen the immune system. Whether recovering from illness, injury, or fatigue, good nutrition can make a real difference.

• Focus on protein!

Protein helps repair muscles and body tissues. Try to include foods such as fish, eggs, poultry, dairy products, beans, lentils, and nuts in your meals.

• Stay hydrated!

Drinking enough water supports recovery, energy levels, and concentration. Aim to drink water regularly throughout the day, especially after physical work.

• Eat more colours!

Fruits and vegetables provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support healing and immunity. Try to fill your plate with a variety of colourful options.

• Choose energy-boosting carbohydrates!

Whole grains, oats, rice, potatoes, and fruits provide the energy needed for recovery and daily activities. Choose more of good sources of carbohydrates, whenever possible.

• Support your immune system!

Nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc are important for maintaining a healthy immune system. Include citrus fruits, fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts, and seeds, whenever possible in your diet.

• Avoid rely on high processing foods!

While comfort foods can be tempting, frequent consumption of fried foods, sweets, and highly processed snacks may slow recovery and leave you feeling sluggish.

Quick Recovery Tips:

✅ Eat regular, balanced meals
✅ Include protein at every meal
✅ Drink plenty of water
✅ Enjoy a variety of fruits and vegetables
✅ Prioritise sleep and rest

Good nutrition provides your body with the tools it needs to recover, recharge, and stay resilient. Small, healthy choices each day can help you return to your duties feeling stronger and ready for the challenges of life at sea.