Are Maritime Training Institutions (training centers) milking our poor seafarers or are they nobly committed to quality training? This has always been my question since I became “marinated” (the informal term used by seafarers for maritime professionals with non-maritime baccalaureate).

When Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) took over seafarer’s training and certification from the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) the training requirements for seafarers increased “exponentially” in numbers and hours. A lot of seafarers reacted violently and cursed MARINA for it. Did MARINA really conspired with the training centers?

My husband is a seafarer so these questions hunt me… and as I searched for answers I stumbled upon the Oceanwide Maritime Services Corp. (Oceanwide) chairman, Capt. Gregory Nick R. Sevilla. He patiently explained to me the reasons why there are more training requirement for seafarer than ever before. He refuted that the increase wasn’t due to MARINA but instead pointed out the timing of the takeover with full implementation of STCW Convention, 2010 Manila Amendments.

I’ve never been so enlightened in my life about the maritime industry until I had a prolific conversation with Capt. Sevilla. His knowledge and sentiments of the industry are so profound. He said that the constant balance between quality training and business sustainability remains Oceanwide’s greatest challenge due to the mobbing training centers whose purported aim is profitability over quality training.

Oceanwide’s strategic aim is not to compete against these training centers but complementarity to remain true to its commitment in quality education and being Philippine’s leading partner in maritime nation building while maintaining profitability. Thus the company diversified its services including consultancy, marine survey and certification, and as a Recognized Organization (RO) of the Administration. As such the company is now an RO of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) carrying out survey and certification of ships under Annex I and IV of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78) and a Recognized Security Organization (RSO) of the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) carrying out assessment, verification, approval and certification activities, required by Part A of the ISPS Code. The Administration entrusts the inspections, audits and surveys to Oceanwide on its behalf. Moreover, the company also performs marine surveys and inspections for the shipowners, marine insurance industry, and other stakeholders. The company is currently engaged in condition surveys in partnership with BMT Surveys, one of the world’s leading independent marine surveying companies based in Europe, providing a wide portfolio of services in cargo, nautical and technical matters. Furthermore, Oceanwide is also engaged in accident investigation for insurance claims and other marine surveys as required by the stakeholder.

“When Oceanwide held a strategic planning workshop leading to a five year development plan attended by its Board of Directors and shareholders at Tanuan, Batangas in January 2018, we concluded that there is a need to diversify the business in order to keep afloat in the ‘red ocean’ of maritime training market”, Capt. Sevilla said. “We have to find ‘blue oceans’ and venture in it as well in order to continuously contend in the ‘red ocean’ without sacrificing the quality of training”, he added. In the “Blue Ocean Strategy” book written by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne they laid out that the companies succeed by venturing into “blue oceans” of unchallenged market place than “red oceans” where competitors fight for dominance, the analogy being that an ocean full of vicious competition turns red with blood. “In all this, it is very important that company vision and values is shared with the rest of the organization. The organization need to create a shared mental model in order to succeed in both oceans. It is important that you make everybody in the organization aware of what you want to achieve and with it you motivate them. With motivation they become committed and with commitment they will perform. Cascading these phases of behavioral change in the organization ensure you a high performing organization and continued growth”, Capt. Sevilla explains.

As I contemplate our conversation I have come to realize that despite the fierce challenges Oceanwide remain resilience by providing the right leadership and giving clear direction for the management.

The company is led by enthusiastic young professionals with extensive experience, who served in varying capacities in the maritime industry, both locally and aboard, particularly in ship management, crew management, maritime training, maritime law, and survey and consultancy services. In their own description they are the League of Experts, Auditors and Developers for Environmental protection, Risk management and Safety of life at Sea (LEADERS@SEA). Oceanwide slogan, “your maritime solutions partner”, speaks for itself. Oceanwide positions as the leading service solution provider in the Philippine Maritime Industry. It provides highly-competent, experienced and qualified instructors, consultants, surveyors and technical staff. They customize tailor-made services and solutions based on the specific needs and requirements of the stakeholders. Established since 2012, the company has always delivered effective and efficient services for compliance to statutory maritime regulatory requirements. One manifestation that the organization is committed in providing quality services is by its purchase of the TRANSAS full mission bridge and full mission engine simulators for maritime training purposes.

With the increasing demand and growth of the company, Oceanwide definitely need manpower to consistently live by its vision. The company is in need of quality instructors, surveyors and auditors. They especially welcome experienced seafarers who are committed to quality service to become auditors and surveyors. However not all seafarers can become instructors and surveyors according to Capt. Sevilla. He said, “Being experienced officers onboard does not automatically make a good instructor or surveyor. They must have the passion and commitment to do it. We have training and induction program especially for our Auditors and Surveyors. We train them and they accompany an actual survey and assessed by the lead surveyor to be competent before they become surveyors themselves”.

Oceanwide indeed took a leap forward especially in 2017 and beyond from its humble beginning to where it position itself today. The challenges of the maritime industry and how Oceanwide pro-actively responds to it is the defining factor of the company leadership. Oceanwide acknowledges that challenges in red and blue market will persevere but then again the company assures endurance in the challenges to come.

While training quality for some are perceived compromised in order to sustain or make profit, Oceanwide gain competitive advantage by diversifying their services in order to cope with the farfetched pricing strategy of other training centers. Oceanwide is the main member of the OCEAN Group, a group of companies with relative services that can complement each other.

Oceanwide has proven that the key to successful business model which is anchored on quality service is CONSISTENCY and DIVERSIFICATION. I would not be surprised when the day comes that Oceanwide becomes the leading service solution provider in the Philippine Maritime Industry! They dared to be different and they are ready to support their industry. Consistency and Diversification is the difference!