Interview with Capt Fared Khan

Having been with AET for 22 years Capt Fared Khan Head Group HR Sea, AET Shipmanagement (Singapore) Pte Limited pioneered various schemes which have yielded excellent results for the company. During his brief visit to India, Shipping Today caught up with him to get some insights on various issues which have helped the company achieve its premier position.
Malaysian International Shipping Corporation (MISC) ant its plan in India
MISC is the parent company dealing in chemicals, containers and LNG, whereas, AET is leading worldwide petroleum shipping company wholly owned subsidiary dealing in crude oil as well as in managing, operating and securing business for the fleet. MISC and AET make a dynamic team complimenting each other well to become the World’s Leading Petroleum Tankers Operators (‘WLPTO’).
About inducting lady seafarers…
Women are as skilful and competitive as their male counterparts. AET has been recruiting female seafarers for the past three years and now have four female officers and 38 female cadets comprising of the deck as well as the engine side. I am very optimistic on getting in many more women into shipping.
On the Dynamic Role of Human Resources (HR)…
As far as manning is concerned the HR prospective has undergone a transformation mainly in view of the changed necessities. The shortage of skilled and experienced seafarers has made the shipping companies look closely at the benefits for the seafarers.
Being from the sea myself, I understand the need of the seafarer much better. At AET we are giving opportunities to build our abilities in HR. For instance, everything HR Sea has to incorporate first goes through the HR Shore management which is led by thorough professionals well versed and having expertise in their field of operation.
In all its seminars, AET has now made it mandatory to include at least two HR related topics, which are presented by HR experts. In the seminars held at Malaysia, the HR topics covered related to Performance Management and both were well received by the officers. I think AET will be the first shipping company to systematically appraise an individual on the basis of his or her performance.
On the downtrend…
It is my view that the current downturn will hardly make a much of a difference as far as the seafarers are concerned. Good companies that have strong policies in this downturn will manage to survive this storm. Also, I believe that the time has come for the seafarers to make a difference in this bad phase, by being cost effective with their performance.
Long before the recession, AET took measures to lock in with the charterers and spread their business evenly so that they are not spread out only in the stock market itself. But we have expanded ourselves in partnership with many oil majors. As long as we deliver what we have promised the customers we will continue to perform. AET has its own ships and we are capable of riding out the storm; we have got our business motto right. I personally believe that AET will come out much stronger in the partnership with the seafarers. I am very confident that we are ride through this period well and come out winners.
On Prevailing Piracy…
AET takes utmost care in providing security and safe passage for its ships passing through the piracy affected areas. AET has given strict instructions to all its vessels, including the charterers and foreign flag vessels that a naval convoy must escort them when they pass these routes. AET gives top priority in protecting its crew and ensuring safety.
WE GUARANTEE SAFE PASSAGE THROUGH THE GULF OF ADEN REGIONS FOR OUR SEA STAFF.
On the essence of seminars…
The Seminar is a platform for the exchange of ideas and to formulate company’s policies in the presence of the shore management along with its floating staff. It is a place for interaction and bonding between the managements and the seafarers.
Message to Indian Seafarers
Today’s generation of seafarers lack the right attitude towards shipping. The Indian seafarers are very skilled and perhaps the best in the world. I don’t want to see the Indian seafarers’ fate as happened to the European, who turned out to be too demanding, but if the Indian continue to move in the wrong direction, then it would not take long for the Chinese, African and other South Asian countries to take their place as those people are willing to work hard too. So my message to Indian seafarers would be to be more professional and live up to the legacy created by the seniors.