Copyright
© 2013 | Vijay Soman
MARITIME BEST PRACTICE LIMITED
Phone: + 852 93088915
OUR MISSON
OUR PEOPLE
Captain Vijay Soman
Founder and Managing Director
Past Position:
From: 2012 to 2016
Director Safety, Insurance, QMS
DPA and CSM
Wallem Shipmanagement Ltd, Hong Kong
We recognise that each company is unique and that a "One-size-fits-all" approach will never help a business reach its full potential.We deliver custom solutions, tailored to the needs of each of our clients. We believe in listening to our clients. We begin by understanding our clients values, culture and company structure. This is followed by a study of the systems that are already in place. We then listen to their specific challenge(s) while appreciating the solutions they have attempted and/or implemented. Based on our joint analysis with them, we explore the range of consulting services that may add value to the clients operations and bring about the change they desire. The services that are identified are then designed to help the client achieve the stated goal. Whether the client is looking for a small tweak or complete overhaul, we have it covered. Since our services are available "a la carte”, our clients can get precisely what they need. To understand more about our approach and services on offer please click this button
Capt. Vijay Soman has the distinction of rising from Cadet to Director of Safety, Insurance and QMS, in a career spanning 43 years with Wallem Shipmanagement Ltd, Hong Kong. He holds a Master (FG) COC from India and has a Post Graduate Diploma in Marine Insurance from World Maritime University, Malmo, Sweden. He is a qualified Lead auditor for ISO 9001: 2008 system, Marine accident investigator and OPA 90 On Scene Commander. He has wide ranging “hands-on” experience as a casualty response and crisis team leader, as well as in loss prevention and risk management techniques.
During his tenure at sea with Wallem’s from 1972 to 1991 he served on tankers, bulkers, VLCC(s), Large OBO’s and held command of various large vessels from 1984 to 1991. His leadership skills came to the fore in saving his ship and crew after an attack by Iranian gunboats in Sept 1987. His ship the M.T. Gentle Breeze took 19 RPG hits resulting in the entire accommodation being on fire. The fire was extinguished successfully by the well trained and highly motivated crew under his command. The ship was then towed to a safe port for repairs and recommissioned.
He was hand picked to join the Wallem shipmanagement office at Hong Kong, as technical Superintendent in December 1991. He served with distinction attending to various kinds of vessels and set up the PCC/PCTC fleet managed by Wallem on behalf of prominent Japanese and European owners. In 2001, Capt. Soman transferred to the unique department within Wallem, with charge of Safety, Insurance, and Quality management systems and Tanker Vetting (TMSA2). He gained invaluable experience in insurance placement and claims handling, loss prevention, safety management, and auditing of ships and office systems. The scope of the audits included the ISM code and ISO 9001, 14001, 18001 systems.
In his role as the Director of this department and company DPA from 2012 to 2016 he headed the Casualty Response team and was successful in resolving major crisis situations.He was hailed as a "true professional” by his peers and the clients for saving life and property. He was instrumental in guiding and motivating the Wallem management team and sea staff in vastly improving the safety record while ensuring the uniform implementation of the company SMS in ship management offices in Hong Kong, Hamburg, Singapore, Qingdao and among JV’s of the company with an overall fleet of over 300 vessels.
He is also an accomplished presenter taking the lead in many fleet officers seminars and in the learning and development of both seafarers and executives in the ship managers offices. He was a panel member at the Pacific Admiralty Seminar, in San Francisco, representing ship owners and managers in a panel discussion hosted by the San Francisco bar association.
OUR APPROACH
Maritime Best Practice Limited, Hong Kong is dedicated to add value in the maritime industry with a bespoke service, leveraging the rich and varied experience of its founder in all aspects of ship management and ship operation. In keeping with the logo and name of our company, we strive to provide the right direction and and deliver best practices for sustainable growth of our client’s business.
Our social and sports activities:
We believe in the adage “A healthy mind resides in a strong body”, and in contributing and sharing our life experiences for the betterment of the society.