Manager (Post Fixture, Singapore)
Lifang Ng holds a bachelor’s degree in Maritime Studies. She joined MOL Chemical Tankers (“MOLCT”) in 2016 as Post Fixture Coordinator.
The Post Fixture division plays a crucial role in ensuring accurate billing for the shipping service provided. This encompasses generating invoices immediately after shipments, calculating laytime and demurrage, and engaging with stakeholders to confirm details and resolve disputes.
Currently, as a Manager, Lifang oversees and manages the Middle East Team, which handles post fixture tasks for cargoes transported from the Arabian Gulf to Asia/Europe, as well as from Asia to the Arabian Gulf.
She is also responsible for monitoring the team performance, ensuring the team’s understanding of company policies and procedures through clear instruction. She also serves as a liaison between her managers and her subordinates facilitating smooth communication to make sure that the team is aligned with the company’s goals and objectives.
“I enjoy working at MOLCT because of the positive working environment and opportunities for self-growth. The atmosphere here is uplifting and supportive. Colleagues are always willing to collaborate, share ideas, and help one another when needed.
Our management team also actively engages with employees, listens to our concerns, and values our input, which not only creates a sense of trust but also boosts our morale.
In addition, the company offers many opportunities of learning. From vessel site visits to various training programs, I constantly feel encouraged to expand my knowledge.”
In addition to her daily routine tasks, Lifang also takes on ad-hoc assignments and new projects.
Currently, she is collaborating with the IT department on a project with the aim of improving Post Fixture’s productivity.
“Participating in a new significant company project is like embarking on a thrilling journey where I’m eager to learn, contribute, and make a meaningful impact.
Challenges and accomplishments in my role always keep me engaged and fulfilled.”
Manager (Marine, Singapore)
Alex ventured into the Maritime and Shipping Industry inspired by his island upbringing in Seychelles and deep connection to the sea. In 1998 he moved to Singapore to pursue nautical studies, where he completed and obtained all his deck certificate of competencies and later a Master’s degree in Maritime Studies. He sailed on various vessels for about 17 years, with the majority of his experience being on Oil and Chemical tankers.
In 2014, Alex decided to leave sailing and pursue shore-based role while advancing his studies in Maritime and Shipping. He started as a QHSSE Superintendent (QHSSE: Quality, Health, Safety, Security and Environment) and was also wishing for roles closely involved with Chemical Tankers Operations.
“The opportunity came when I was offered and accepted the position of Senior Marine Superintendent at MOL Chemical Tankers (MOLCT) in March 2020, at the beginning of Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges of adapting to a new work environment, especially working from home, I managed to overcome them thanks to good teamwork and support of my colleagues.”
His current role at MOLCT is a Manager in the Marine Department, where his responsibilities center around monitoring vessel activities and providing support to other departments on marine, technical, and operational matters by liaising closely with all the Ship Managers and other stakeholders as required.
“We actively engage in overseeing the sailing and navigation of vessels by monitoring their routes and weather conditions, ensuring both safety and commercial viability for our business. Our team collaborates closely with our other offices overseas on various aspect, offering support for safe and reliable cargo operations including the loading and discharging of cargoes, tank cleaning, and addressing any issues that arise. “
In addition to their ongoing efforts, the Marine Department has been diligently working on to further enhance the safety awareness in our organization. They regularly organize activities establishing ‘annual safety enhancement month’ every year which includes seminars, talks and knowledge sharing sessions. They also host MOLCT’s global port captain meeting and the annual meeting with all of our shipowners / ship managers, focusing on safety and performance improvement. Furthermore, regular visits to our operated vessels are conducted to perform safety inspection and asses vessel suitability for our business.
“Having ‘Safety’ as one of our company’s core initiatives, and given its paramount importance in our industry, I am committed to various safety initiatives. I find it highly motivated to further promote safety awareness in MOLCT.”
Charterer (Chartering, Houston)
I am currently doing chartering on the Trans-Atlantic Eastbound route in the Houston office. My main responsibilities range from coordinating with our contract customers to negotiating spot cargoes for each vessel from the US Gulf to Europe.
I had no prior background with the shipping industry, nor did I ever think this would be an industry I would end up in. I went to “Texas A&M at Galveston” where I discovered a business major that was related to maritime. This intrigued me as I have always wanted to be in the sales/logistics industry while also having a passion for the ocean. So, I approached it with an open mind and stuck it out and am very happy with where I am now, having such an important role in the global chemical supply chain.
My main motivation at MOL Chemical Tankers (MOLCT) as a group is to keep encouraging a collaborative work environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing knowledge and asking questions, while also feeling supported in their respective roles. This is also something I value the most within my chartering team at MOLCT, as we consistently keep ideas flowing and openly support each other across all departments.
It seems that we are already an industry leader when it comes to encouraging diversity and emphasizing the importance of human capital within our company. I am very excited to witness how MOLCT will further enhance its presence in this sector and be actively involved in the process.
Operations Manager (Operations, Copenhagen)
I coincidentally bumped into the shipping industry as I chose to study a bachelor’s degree in International Shipping and Trade at Copenhagen Business school. Even though I did not have much knowledge about the shipping industry and ship operations, nor any family member working in the industry, it was the international aspect and never sleeping industry that caught my interest.
After completing my Master’s degree in supply chain management from Copenhagen Business School, I was prepared to advance my career within the shipping industry. I decided to choose MOL Chemical Tankers (MOLCT) and applied for a position within the operations department. Right from the initial meeting with the company, I was introduced to both the core values of the Europe Division and global organization, all being something that I appreciate and try to live by.
In MOLCT, there is ample room for growth and learning, and any questions I had during my training have never been left unanswered. It is ingrained in the company’s DNA to care for every employee and foster an environment where everyone can thrive in their daily lives while maintaining the work-life balance, which is highly valued in today’s world.
I coincidentally bumped into the shipping industry as I chose to study a bachelor’s degree in International Shipping and Trade at Copenhagen Business school. Even though I did not have much knowledge about the shipping industry and ship operations, nor any family member working in the industry, it was the international aspect and never sleeping industry that caught my interest.
After completing my Master’s degree in supply chain management from Copenhagen Business School, I was prepared to advance my career within the shipping industry. I decided to choose MOL Chemical Tankers (MOLCT) and applied for a position within the operations department. Right from the initial meeting with the company, I was introduced to both the core values of the Europe Division and global organization, all being something that I appreciate and try to live by.
In MOLCT, there is ample room for growth and learning, and any questions I had during my training have never been left unanswered. It is ingrained in the company’s DNA to care for every employee and foster an environment where everyone can thrive in their daily lives while maintaining the work-life balance, which is highly valued in today’s world.
As an operations manager, I supervise vessels usually trading from Far East Asia to Europe and vice versa. My responsibilities include a range of tasks, such as keeping different charterers updated, overseeing cargo operations, coordinating vessel movements, liaising with port agents to facilitate port calls, handling Bill of Lading, preparing stowage plans for the vessels, bunker planning, etc. It might be a lot of responsibilities and also requires working beyond the regular office hours, but the amount of work depends on the cycle of each voyage and it allows me to work with other ad-hoc tasks to optimize workflows and processes.
To ensure a healthy and motivational work environment for myself and the employees at MOLCT, it is important that we are being continuously challenged on a personal as well as on a career level. The company highly values diversity and has teams consisting of individuals from various educational backgrounds, nationalities, experience levels, and cultures.
At MOLCT, we learn from each other, and regardless of an employee’s prior experience everyone is encouraged to share their ideas. One thing that all colleagues have in common is a strong willingness to support each other to achieve success.
Manager (Asia East, Singapore)
Yien Chen joined MOLCT in 2016 as fresh graduate with no maritime background.
“Shipping was a whole new world to me, especially with parcel tanker being a relatively niche section of the industry. I was lucky to have the chance to join as Chartering Executive with no experience. The company has allowed me to gain strong fundamentals in shipping. The more I learn about the shipping industry, the more fascinating it becomes.”
Stainless steel chemical tankers carry a wide variety of cargoes, quantity ranges from a few hundred metric tons to over 10,000 metric tons.
Our shipments usually involve more than one cargo and the parcelling nature of our business requires one to have a vast business network and capability to maximize profit by optimizing voyages, cargo sizes, co-loads, and port rotation.
Currently, as Manager, Yien Chen is doing chartering for Transpacific Eastbound department which handles cargoes from Asia to the US. Chartering’s main responsibility is to solicit cargoes for vessels and maintain good relationship with customers. She also experienced vessel operations as a part of her training to learn about voyage optimization and operational expenses.
Yien Chen was handling the Asia/US West Coast trade lane that has a relatively higher ratio of COA (long-term contract) instead of fixing spot cargoes, which involves a lot of coordination among Singapore, Houston, and Tokyo offices. While Tokyo and Houston offices assist in the day-to-day communication with Charterers, Singapore office, as Headquarter of Trans Pacific East Bound route, makes cargo allocation plan and decisions to fulfil these Charterers’ requirements (later/earlier arrival/ cargo readiness/ tank top/ plan shutdown, etc.) on several vessels.
Now she oversees the Asia/US Gulf route, which has higher coverage on spot cargoes. It is a dynamic market that requires to follow closely on the market trend, cargo movements and monitor competitors’ vessel movements, and so on. She says it can be challenging sometimes but so far it has been an interesting journey.
“I enjoy working in MOL Chemical Tankers due to its supportive environment. I am thankful to my superior for trusting and granting me the autonomy to make decisions about cargo booking and allocation. This job gives me a sense of satisfaction when you see the vessels filled with cargoes.”
9:00 Check emails and follow up with US Charterers/brokers before their day ends.
10:30 Internal meeting with Operation team. Operators update vessel movements/issues while Chartering team updates cargo booking status.
11:30 Send vessel itineraries and review market orders.
13:30 Lunch with colleagues
15:00 Run calculations for new cargoes, send indication/offer for vessel space. Negotiate shipments with Asia Charterers/brokers.
18:00 Get off work
22:00 US market opens. Send indication/offer for vessel space. Negotiate shipments with US Charterers/brokers.
Operator (Operations, Bogota)
I hold a Bachelor´s degree in Tourism & International Hospitality Management and an Advanced Diploma in E-Business. With a broad range of experience in different areas and positions within this field, my previous career was as a Guest Services Manager for a Cruise Line in the Guest Services Department. It was during my time at sea that my interest in the cargo shipping business began to grow.
When I returned home after completing my last contract with this cruise line, the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world, bringing the entire cruising industry into a standstill. Fortunately, around that time, a job opportunity arose in the cargo shipping industry with the MOLCT Group for the position of Jr. Ship Operator. Seizing the opportunity, I applied for the job and successfully secured it! Thus, I started working in the MOLCT Bogotá office in August of 2020, which means I have been with the company for nearly three years now. It has been such a wonderful, enjoyable, interesting, fulfilling and fun experience so far. I have gained a significant amount of knowledge about the industry from all my highly knowledgeable colleagues and continue to learn from them.
My main duties and responsibilities as a member of the Operations team in Bogotá Office are:
I am highly motivated to work with MOLCT for several reasons. First of all, because it is such a strong organization with a worldwide presence. Additionally, MOLCT holds a strong market position and it is widely recognized in the industry. Another aspect that appeals to me is the company’s commitment to valuing and embracing diversity. Here at the Bogotá office we are all happy to abide by and to live our company values of challenge, honesty, accountability, reliability, teamwork, and safety to the fullest.
Operator (Operations, Dubai)
Yaseen holds a degree in Business Studies and at his previous company, he was a business consultant for several entities in the maritime industry. He joined MOL Chemical Tankers (MOLCT)’s Operations team in 2018 when we were expanding our company’s presence in the Middle East through our office in Dubai. Upon joining MOLCT, he spent some time at our Singapore office during which he received focused mentoring on operational and technical matters from experienced members of the company.
“My previous experience working as a business consultant for companies in the maritime industry made me develop an interest in shipping and I was keen on making a transition to this field. I was fortunate that the Dubai office of MOLCT was also expanding around that time. The guidance which I received from the members of MOLCT’s employee orientation and training committee helped me gain confidence and enabled me to adapt quickly to my role. I still continue to seek guidance from more experienced colleagues, and they are patient enough to make time to answer any queries I may have.”
The main responsibilities of the members of our Operations team include coordinating vessel movements, optimizing stowage plans, overseeing cargo operations, handling bunker planning for voyages, and preparing key performance indicators (KPI) summaries of voyages for both internal benchmarking and for reporting to our customers. Apart from knowledge in these areas, this is a role which mainly relies on good people-skills and effective communication with several parties such as Chartering personnel, Ship Brokers and Charterers on the commercial side, and Vessel Captains, Ship Managers, Vessel Owners, Port Agents and Bunker Providers on the operational and technical side. Since our vessels operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the members of our Operations team continue monitoring emails and check for updates on certain matters or specific vessels even after office hours to ensure quick follow-up and response in time.
“While it’s been a few years since I joined, I continue to learn something new almost every day, especially on the technical side of things. We face new scenarios regularly and no two circumstances are ever the same. I find it very interesting that there are many uncertainties in shipping and that anything may happen at any time. This helps me stay on my toes and motivates me to keep learning and improving my knowledge as much as possible so that we can navigate our way around any potential challenge in the best way possible.”
Work schedule of a day
08:00 Start the day by checking and responding to higher priority emails, especially those which were received overnight and during early AM hours
09:00 Check the latest information regarding vessel movements and any new regulations or events which could potentially have an impact on our voyage itineraries
10:00 Internal meeting between Chartering and Operations personnel to go over the latest cargo booking status and any other important updates
10:30 Prepare stowage and bunker plans, followed by necessary updates on these matters to the concerned parties
12:30 Take a break for lunch
13:30 Update vessel movements in internal voyage monitoring system and reviewing cargo documents from vessels which have completed loading or discharge operations
16:00 Analyze voyage performance data and compare the result which was achieved against initial estimation
17:00 Wind up for the day and continue monitoring important emails remotely on phone and laptop. Occasionally, there could even be a need to work overtime after standard office hours, such as for the purpose of finding appropriate solutions to any unforeseen situations which may arise
Coordinator (Group Planning & Management, Singapore)
Mami majored in Foreign Studies in Japan and joined MOL Chemical Tankers (MOLCT) in 2015 as a new graduate.
“I decided to join MOLCT because I was fascinated by the international environment where I can work with colleagues from different cultures. I also thought that working abroad would enhance both my career and personal life with better work-life balance and give me various options of work styles according to each stage of my life.”
She has had an opportunity for various roles in the company starting from Group Planning & Management (GPM) department followed by Operations department and Human Resources department. Recently, she returned to GPM where she actively engages in a new project. During above career path, she took maternity leave for a certain period, and currently she is advancing her career while rearing her child.
As a Coordinator in GPM, she oversees various areas of internal matters. These include reviewing applications for approval, maintaining/updating internal regulations, and handling subsidiary management. Her role demands a deep understanding of the company’s organizational structure and seamless alignment with other departments. Additionally, she is ensuring to maintain close communication with our parent company, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) for the smooth flow of our business activities while complying rules and regulations.
“My colleagues in GPM department are always very supportive and open, and I appreciate such a positive environment I have. I am delighted to be involved in a project which is completely a new experience for me, and I am confident this experience will be greatly beneficial for my future career so that I can further contribute to the company.”
Mami added “I have been quite fortunate enough to have chances to work in multiple departments, which allowed me to go through a variety of work with different team members – it helps me understand how the company is functioning.”
Assistant Manager (Accounting & Finance, Singapore)
As an Accounting and Finance graduate, Andy has accumulated a lot of experience in the field.
Andy joined MOL Chemical Tankers (MOLCT) in 2013.
“I like working in MOL Chemical Tankers because the company allows me to continually grow in terms of skills and knowledge, through various roles and work challenges.”
His role as an Assistant Manager in Accounting & Finance Department mainly focuses on monitoring the month-end closing. He also oversees the incoming and outgoing cash flow to ensure sufficient funds for weekly business transactions and payment of staff claims.
“I need to ensure all transactions are processed within a certain time frame. Any delay can cause another delay in the closing process.”
He is instructing and taking care of newly joined employees and is committed to building teamwork.
“I want to acquire leadership skill. My goal is to be an exemplary leader both in the company and in my family.”
9:00 Arrive at work, check emails.
10:00 Check bank balance and review cash book
11:00 Review AP/GL vouchers
12:30 Lunch with colleagues
13:30 Review payments
14:30 Internal meeting/discussion to go through daily ad hoc duties/issues
15:00 Check bank balances and monitor cash transactions
16:00 Attend a meeting about newly introduced system with team members and other department colleagues
17:00 Check vendor applications to approve
18:00 Get off work