Capt. Nalin B. Pandey is the Managing Director of 'Pentagon Marine Services Pvt. Ltd', formerly known as 'Finaval SPA'; an Italy based manning company that opened their fleet operations in India from the year 2000. After completing about 15 years sailing onboard different types of vessels and important shore assignments thereafter, Capt Pandey joined 'Pentagon Marine Services Pvt. Ltd' as it's Managing Director in April 2001. Today Capt Pandey is heading the company's (Pentagon Marine Services Pvt Ltd) all India operations with nine branches in major cities. Jobships.com has pleasure in having Captain Nalin B Pandey as its home page guest. Excerpts from the interview are reproduced below:

Jobships: Sir, Pentagon Marine Services has earned a name in the shipping industry. As the Managing Director of the company in India, How do you judge the success story of the Company?

Capt. Pandey: Success is the output of dedication, hard work, team work and an unremitting devotion towards our profession or work we involve. Success never happens personally. So, it will be encouraging, if people talk about it rather than I comment on it myself. Whatever we achieved is not a single person's success, it's a group effort / team work to make our organization the best. We have an association of good people tremendously dedicated to their profession and their collective contribution has made our organization one of the best. We are thankful to our stake holders, seafarers, government authorities, suppliers, media, faculties and all people who are directly or indirectly involved with our organization. They are the 'hidden treasures' of our success. I think when everybody gives their blessings and help to an organization; it's bound to be successful.I would like to credit each and every single person associated with Pentagon for what we are today.

Jobships: Who are the Principals of Pentagon Marine Services in Italy? What are your driving factors that attract seafarers to your organization?

Capt. Pandey: Our principals from Italy are Finaval SPA and one Napoli based Company. Besides that, from Rotterdam we have STOLT Tankers. Regarding driving factors, we are very transparent in our dealings and this is one factor that the seafarers consider special with our organization. When people ask me about our institution, I only say the negative points and leave the rest to them to decide on merits of our organization. If people have faith in our works, they will obviously recognize it. There is no need to blow our own trumpet. I believe on hard work and dedication to profession. Rest is for people who are observing us.The next to mention is our own Staff. Without them, we perhaps wouldnt have established ourselves at the position we are today. So, all of them deserve the credit, for being the driving force of Pentagon.

Jobships: What are your expansion plans?

Capt. Pandey: I am happy to say that we have 9 offices all over India which includes Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kochi, Bhavnagar and Jamnagar. We have plans for opening offices in few other states, within three to four months. With pleasure I would like to announce that we will be opening at least 20 offices within the next 3 to 5 years all over India. These branches will manage training and other activities similar to that being managed at Mumbai and other branch offices. Seafarers will enjoy our course facilities as well as manning services under one roof.

Jobships: Sir, would you brief on the training facilities in the Pentagon Institutes?

Capt. pandey: We have sufficient infrastructure available for our trainees as well as our staff. The class rooms and practical rooms are well equipped to provide an environment similar to that at sea. We have sufficient faculties with brilliant career background to train the students. I think these are the key factors that make our institutes successful and the best.

Jobships: While most of the Ship Management Companies are based in South Mumbai, you have opened your office in Navi Mumbai. What persuaded you to choose Navi Mumbai?

Capt. Pandey: I think Fort Mumbai is the prime place and first choice for every ship management company. In fact there is no better place than Fort Mumbai and Ballard Estate to establish a shipping company in India. And we have our office in Fort Mumbai. Now we are concentrating in Navi Mumbai as we have established excellent facilities there. In the coming years, Navi Mumbai is going to be the most desired city for the Shipping Sector. With lot of possibilities for the Shipping Industry, future of Navi Mumbai is far better than any other suburbs. JNPT is only 15 minutes away from the CBD, Belapur. Also Dronagiri, an upcoming shipping town, is in Navi Mumbai. Navi Mumbai is going to be one of the busiest shipping hubs in India. So, I preferred Navi Mumbai than any other suburbs. Thankfully, by God's grace, we have offices in both the places. I also prefer clients comfort than ours. Gone are the days to think about ourselves (ship-owners) than clients.

Jobships: What would you like to say about the shortage of seafarers?

Capt. pandey: Shipping industry is suffering seafarer crisis globally. As far as shortage is concerned, shipping industry has to control manpower growth. During the past decade , the number of commercial fleet increased at the rate of 1 per cent per annum. On the other hand, the strength of seafarers did not increase accordingly. The increasing demand and diminishing supply is an unfavorable situation for the industry. Shipping companies are also diversifying its activities to various other sectors like seaport management, logistics etc. apart from manning. This is also another contributing factor for the shortage of seafarers. More over, very few officers from India and Far East are willing to remain at sea over the age of 50. So industry is also lacking senior officers.

Jobships: Do you think that going to rural areas and employing the rural people as seafarers could be a solution to this problem?

Capt. Pandey: Yeah, to some extent it could be a solution. Shipping industry could take initiative to involve rural people in shipping activities by creating shipping awareness, encouraging them to join in Merchant Navy or employing them as seafarers could be a solution for this problem.
In India, shipping sector is still not projected properly. If it would plan in a systematic and proper way, shipping sector will be the most powerful sector to solve the unemployment problem also.
Creating rural awareness for shipping, arranging seminars on shipping by the industry could be a solution. Government should also take initiative to create shipping awareness.

Jobships: Although we have officer shortage, there is an excess supply of GP Ratings. Regarding this imbalance, what would you like to say?

Capt. Pandey: In the past, only officers were pampered and promoted in India. Still the custom continues although this does not have a valid reason. If we see the Filippinos, they are promoting the GP Ratings along with officer ranks. We should also do the same. The industry has to promote the GP Ratings. Someone among us have to take the initiative to diminish the imbalance.
so far as our institutions are concerned, we are promoting both officers and GP Ratings equally. It is also found that about 15 to 20% GP Ratings have become officers. Sometimes Ratings who have the capabilities to become an officer, back off from officer training for financial reasons. Our organization provides them scholarships and also soft loans (Interest free) to make their dreams come true. We give them the facility to return the amount within 3-7 years, when they start earning. After adoption of this policy, each year about 15 to 20 GP Ratings are becoming officers.
Industry could adopt the same policy which can decrease the seafarer crisis to some extent. If the industry gives them support, it can expect their services in return.

Jobships: What do you feel about the wages of seafarers in India compared to other countries

Capt. Pandey: Wages of seafarers have gone up commensurate with the demand. It's not because seafarers are asking. Its the moral duty of ship-owners, I think, to pay their dues. Freight rates are higher, market is booming and ship-owners are also paying them accordingly. Wages of seafarers are increasing globally. In India also, wages are rising and there is nothing to worry about.

Jobships: Besides DG Shipping approved courses, you are also providing value added courses for the seafarers. What is the response from seafarers for these courses?

Capt. Pandey: See, when we started our institution it was completely for the training requirement of our personnel. We never believe in aggressive marketing of our courses. We strictly believe that let people and associates talk about us. We just put our activities on print and electronic media. If the candidates feel to come and join us, they make enquiries and join the courses.

I believe teaching is one of the toughest professions. It is northing but full dedication to the profession. We are also putting in our best efforts to train students. Thankfully, we are having a good name amongst our students.

Jobships: How much helpful are these courses for the seafarers?

Capt. Pandey: Value added course means course with value which are designed to enhance the quality and efficiency of seafarers. These are some sort of refresher courses entertaining seafarers who preferred to be refreshed with up-to-date knowledge and technology. Moreover after spending a long leave, when seafarers get back to sea, they take time to adjust to their assignment onboard. These value added courses of 3 to 5 days duration help them to adjust themselves with sea life.

Our simulation courses help them to simulate on their places of interest. These courses are well prepared to train them technically, physically and mentally to simulate. For example, if someone wishes to simulate between Singapore and China, we used to give them simulation between these two places for 3 to 5 days. Finally, when the seafarer joins the ship and see the Radar, he wouldnt be confused to check a chart searching Singapore or China. These courses give a touch of refreshment and perfection to the seafarers.

Jobships:With the adoption of STCW for Seafarers in1995 and the ISM Code in 1994, Seafarers training became not only knowledge based but also competency based. So, how sincerely you are imparting the competency based training?

Capt. Pandey: Our institution is a post sea one. We have various programs to train students effectively. After training for each rank, we have a computer based self assessment program. After completion of training our computer asks questions to the trainees. The trainees will answer and also get their results immediately. We are also conducting Psycho-Metric tests of the seafarers, operated by a Swedish Company, through which we can assess the state of mind of a candidate.

I believe to be up-to-date at all times. New courses should be introduced to make trainees competent and ahead of all obstacles.

Jobships: What is your suggestion to improve the maritime training and education standards and behavioral pattern of seafarers?

Capt. Pandey:: Government and Industry imposed rules should be followed honestly. Industry has sufficient norms and guidelines to tackle any kind of problems. We should sincerely follow these rules to support each other. Government authorities are always there to help if anyone needs. We have just to follow the norms; they will look after the rest.

Jobships: The shipping industry is booming in the recent times. What do you think; will it continue in coming years?

Capt. Pandey: Yeah, I think that it will continue for the next 5 years. In India now the concentration on shipping infrastructure development has increased. If the infrastructure grows, the industry will boom. Now what we have to do is to project the growth in right way.

Jobships: What reasons would you ascribe to the boom?

Capt. Pandey: Basically it's because of increase in imports by China. Also for the new regulations - the older vintage tonnages are being taken off from the sea. This has resulted in reduction on the supply side and increase on the demand side.

Jobships: Do you think the Indian tonnage will shore up the boom?

Capt. Pandey: Definitely.. In fact Indian tonnage has already increased during the last 5 years. Now this boom has given a pace to the Indian tonnage expansion. This infect contributed to the economic growth of the nation at large and the shipping Industry in particular. We all can proudly say that if India is shining, it is because the shipping is shining. We have to go further ahead and in that process the shipping industry has a great role to play. I am confident that our organization is geared up to contribute its share for the progress of the shipping industry and the nation.

Jobships:Thank you Sir, for giving us your valuable time. Jobships.com wishes you the best for the successful implementation of your expansion plans.

(Email ID of Capt Nalin B Pandey: n.pandey at pentagonmarine.com)