Ship manager Su-Nav setting up in Dubai

“The opening of the office reflects the growing importance of the Middle East to the company and is part of its strategy to be closer to its owners, stakeholders and suppliers both in the region and globally,” it said.

A relatively new player its fleet has grown quickly, with a total of 33 vessels now under management with owners based in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

With offices in India and Singapore, Su-Nav Group aims to optimise its approach towards safety and the marine environment. It also offers owners a range of vessel-related services, including in-house manpower supply, training, accounting, project management and travel.

At an invitation-only event held in Dubai recently, suppliers, classification societies, flag states, OEMs, underwriters, owners, operators and agents heard Su-Nav CEO, Sachit Sahoonja, expanded on his vision of building sustainable partnerships in order to protect the environment, generate equitable wealth, minimise depletion of natural resources, and build gender equality in the workplace.

“We wish to become a global pioneer in technology, innovation, and services for worldwide vessel owners. Our technical and marine team is always at the forefront to maintain the vessel in compliance with all regulatory requirement and operate it to the highest industry standards,” he said.

“This allows optimal utilisation of the vessel by all stakeholders. Our trade maximisation program for geared bulk carriers is a unique program to ensure near-zero downtime due to technical and cargo gear breakdowns.”

Su-Nav’s seeks to promote seafarer welfare and harness new technology through its own innovation laboratory. “As a former seafarer I understand the challenges that we face to transform shipping to become a safe, inclusive industry, in order to attract talented young people to join this dynamic and exciting sector,” he said.

The company’s gender equality policy means that 40% of the staff employed on shore are women, while at sea there says there has been a steady increase in female seafarers holding senior positions.

It said it was also a strong proponent of providing seafarers with first-class working environments and living quarters while at sea as well as welfare and financial support packages for seafarer families suffering hardship. Su-Nav claims one of the highest seafarer retention rates in ship management.

“Our approach to ship management is simple yet effective. We are able to give owners the assurance of the maintenance status and cost-efficient operation of their vessels, supported by regular, transparent financial and operational reporting,” Sahoonja concluded.

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