This month’s Wilhelmsen Ahrenkiel Ship Management crew seminar in Cebu brought together 113 seafarers for a well received programme focused on safety, collaboration, and operational excellence across the company’s diverse fleet of container vessels, bulk carriers, multipurpose vessels, and tankers. The seminar was warmly opened by Wilhelmsen Ahrenkiel’s Managing Directors Dr Michael Silies and Mr Michael Brandhoff, who welcomed the participants and shared updates on the company’s development. They stressed the importance of collaboration and fostered a strong sense of belonging by emphasizing Wilhelmsen Ahrenkiel’s culture as one family.
Participants described the atmosphere as warm, cooperative, and almost family-like. Many took the opportunity to reconnect with familiar colleagues and meeting new faces from across the managed fleet. The seminar’s structure, organisation, and interactive sessions were repeatedly highlighted as an improvement compared to previous years.
Key learning sessions: safety, performance, and well‑being
Several sessions stood out to attendees:
Permit to Work, Major incidents & insurance: Ensuring that crew is informed of the required procedures and safety measures, permit to work was thoroughly discussed. A detailed review of recent major incidents—including their operational and financial impact—reinforced the vital importance of preventive maintenance, accurate reporting, and strict safety awareness on board. Crew noted that the real‑life case studies, including a container fire that occurred in the cargo hold, served as eye‑opening reminders of the risks involved and the cost of complacency.
Vessel performance & compliance: Crews gained fresh insight into environmental compliance, fuel efficiency, decarbonisation targets, and the need for precise reporting as regulations intensify worldwide. The message was clear: performance data significantly influences vessel hireability and sustainability, particularly in the competitive container vessel and bulk carrier market.
Crew training & development: While training remained an important theme, participants highlighted the need to streamline mandatory courses and reduce unnecessary overlaps, especially between different training providers.
Enhanced medical plan: One of the most celebrated announcements was the improved medical insurance plan for WASM crew, which many described as a morale‑boosting, meaningful benefit for seafarers and their families.
Building unity through team activities and a special farewell: Team-building games encouraged collaboration, communication, and camaraderie beyond rank or vessel type. Delegates enjoyed friendly competition, group challenges, and a memorable evening celebration that included karaoke and shared performances.
The most emotional moment came during the heartfelt farewell to Ms Susanne Petkovic, Head of Crewing, who will retire at the end of June after 47 fruitful years with the company. Her long‑standing dedication and unwavering support for generations of seafarers across the company received overwhelming appreciation.
Many described her as an “angel” whose guidance, care, and commitment helped shape countless maritime careers over nearly five decades.
Despite these challenges, participants emphasised strong shared values: professionalism, unity, safety, and continuous improvement—on deck, in the engine room, and throughout WASM’s global operations.
The seminar also touched on wider industry developments, such as the addition of new vessels to the fleet and the potential impact of geopolitical situations on crew changes. Across all vessel segments, from container ships to tankers, attendees left with renewed awareness of how individual actions—maintenance routines, accurate reporting, and teamwork—directly influence vessel performance and operational safety.
Although not all seafarers can participate in this annual seminar due to their sailing schedules, the discussions and experiences shared in Cebu continue to resonate across the fleet. The strong sense of unity, openness, and collaboration shown by the crew reflects the values that drive WASM’s ship management culture—from container vessels to bulk carriers and tankers.
As one participant put it:
“Unity and collaboration lead to safer, more efficient operations.”
