Viridian Maritime, established in 2017 and headquartered in Singapore, is a ship management company providing a comprehensive range of services, including technical management, crew management, health, safety, and environmental (HSE) compliance, regulatory compliance, inspections and assessments, repairs, retrofitting, and docking. In recent years, in addition to managing traditional vessel types such as tankers and bulk carriers, the company has expanded its services in response to the demand for floating wind power, now managing offshore support vessels (OSVs) and subsea vessels, and conducting crew training. We spoke with Arvind Mohan, the founder and CEO of Viridian Maritime, about the company’s current state and outlook regarding its business strategy focused on ship management services for Japanese shipowners.
(Text by Hirofumi Yamamoto)
Photo courtesy of Viridian Maritime, Hirofumi Yamamoto
――To begin with, could you please provide an overview of your company (e.g., location of headquarters, year of establishment, number of employees, etc.)?
“Viridian Maritime Pte. Ltd. was established in 2017 and is headquartered in Singapore. We are a specialist provider of marine services to the global shipping and maritime industry. With a team of over 20 employees, we offer niche expertise in vessel operations and ship management, ensuring tailored solutions for a wide range of clients, including ship owners, and ship operators.”
“Our Vessel Operations services encompass comprehensive ship management services including but not limited to technical management, crew management, marine health, safety, and environmental (HSE), compliance, inspections and assessments, repairs, modification, docking, etc. Our team always works to ensure vessels are operated efficiently, safely, and importantly cost-effectively, in full compliance with international regulations.”
“We provide end-to-end management solutions for a diverse portfolio of vessels, including Tankers, Bulk carriers, Container ships, and more complex offshore assets such as Offshore Support Vessels (OSVs), Subsea vessels (Saturation Dive, Cable Lay, Pipelay, SOV, etc.), and Self-propelled and Self Elevating Jack-up Liftboats. ”
“Our goal is to maximize the value, safety, and operational efficiency of these vessels, while minimizing risks and loss of hire for our owners, keeping in paramount importance their and our name and reputation.”
――As a ship management company, what services do you currently offer to your clients?
- Technical Management: We oversee the technical operations of the vessels, ensuring they are maintained to the highest standards. This includes regular inspections, repairs, dry-docking, and compliance with international safety and environmental regulations.
- Crew Management: We handle the recruitment, training, and management of skilled crew members to ensure safe and efficient vessel operations. Our crewing services are tailored to meet the specific needs of each vessel and each vessel owner.
- Safety and Quality Management: We implement our rigorous safety management systems (SMS) and conduct audits to ensure compliance with all relevant international safety standards as a minimum and specifically towards those required by the industry such as Rightship, Sire, CDI, OVID, OVMSA, etc.
- Procurement and Supply Chain Management: We manage the procurement of essential spare parts, equipment, stores, lubes, and supplies, ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery to keep vessels fully operational.
- Regulatory Compliance and Certifications: We assist with all necessary certifications and ensure that vessels comply with evolving international maritime regulations, including environmental standards in line with the agreed sustainable goals and metrics.
- Financial Management and Reporting: We provide transparent financial management services, including budget forecasting, expense tracking, and detailed reporting, allowing our clients to monitor the financial health of the operating costs of their vessels.
- Risk and Insurance Management: We assist in securing the best insurance coverage for vessels, managing claims, and mitigating potential risks through proactive planning and response strategies.
- Your company not only handles crew management for dry bulk carriers but also manages offshore vessels. Could you share your track record in this area?
“This is correct however with one clarification, we undertake full ship management services for bulk carriers as well as offshore vessels. ”
“When we established Viridian Maritime back in 2017, we had two primary focus strategy and considerations – one was using our specialist knowledge, and regional experience to manage Offshore Vessels such as Offshore Support Vessels (OSVs), Subsea vessels (Saturation Dive, Cable Lay, Pipelay, SOV etc.), and Self-propelled and Self Elevating Jack-up Liftboats as management of these vessels are very niche and not easily replicated in the industry, and the second was to work within Japanese Market for providing second-to-none ship management services to Japanese Owners, specifically owners of bulk carriers and tanker vessels. ”
“Our team of technical and marine experts hold credible and capable experience in managing dynamic positioning DP2 and DP3 vessels, and tailored design, build, and operation solutions. Not only are these types of vessels specialized, however, each region and location they operate within, require different considerations, local cabotage and compliance differing from region to region.”
――In recent years, offshore wind power projects have been expanding in Japan, as well as in Europe and Asia. This requires vessels such as anchor handling vessels and other offshore vessels. How is your company positioned to meet the demand for managing such offshore vessels?
“It is indeed correct to note that Offshore Wind Projects in Japan have been progressively developing and expanding and we with our experience are uniquely placed to support and assist towards this development, specifically to ensure that the operational requirements of these offshore vessels are met with. It is well known and understood that the Japanese offshore market specifically in consideration of experienced offshore seafarers as well as local companies with offshore ship management capabilities requires to be developed. We believe this is where we are correctly positioned to bridge this gap in offshore ship management requirements. ”
“With the team at Viridian Maritime having extensive experience managing a wide range of offshore vessels, including Platform supply vessels (PSVs), AHTS, Subsea Windfarm, and installation support vessels, essential for offshore wind projects, our technical and marine knowledge therefore aims to skilled in navigating the operational complexities and stringent regulatory requirements specific to the offshore wind sector. ”
“We ensure all vessels under our management are maintained and operated to the highest industry and operational standards. Our experience in the management of dynamic positioning (DP) vessels plays a critical role in vessel operations during the construction and the continued maintenance phases and requirements of offshore windfarms as well as meeting requirements of shore-based management systems such as OVMSA, and for vessel compliance when considering OVID, CMID, etc. and industry standards such as IMCA, and GWO.”
“In addition to vessel management, we provide comprehensive crew management services that encompass recruitment, certification, and specialized training which also includes any specific requirements based on the region of operations as well as clients requirements. This ensures that our crews are fully equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to operate safely and efficiently in demanding and challenging offshore environments.”
“With our base in Asia and our proven track record, we are confident in our ability to support the Japanese market. Our regional presence and expertise allow us to offer cost-effective, high-quality solutions tailored specifically for Japan’s growing offshore wind power sector.”
――Your company has contracts with Japanese shipowners for the management of bulk carriers and offshore vessels. What are your future business plans for the Japanese maritime market?
“Our company has established strong relationships with Japanese shipowners, managing both bulk carriers and offshore vessels, as this takes trust, and a long-term view on the markets.
As we look to the future, we are committed to expanding our presence and capabilities in the Japanese shipping market with the following key business plans:
Strengthening Offshore Wind Support: With Japan’s ambitious plans for offshore wind energy development, we aim to enhance our services in managing offshore support vessels, including Anchor Handling vessels (AHTS), Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs), Service Operation Vessel (SOV), Cable Lay and installation support vessels. Our experience in managing such complex and diverse type of vessels, combined with our local knowledge, positions us to be a key partner in Japan’s renewable energy transition. With this our aim is to establish partnerships and where possible Joint Ventures with offshore wind farm companies in Japan, as to provide and support them with vessel operational management capabilities.
Technical and Crew Management Services: We plan to broaden our technical and crew management offerings by incorporating cutting-edge technologies, such as predictive maintenance and digital fleet management systems, to ensure optimal vessel performance. In parallel, we will continue to recruit and train highly skilled crew members to meet the specific demands of both bulk carriers and offshore vessels.
Sustainability and Environmental Compliance: As global environmental regulations tighten, we will focus on providing our clients with sustainable solutions, such as fuel-efficient vessel operations and compliance with IMO’s decarbonization goals and in line with what the Japan Government plans for decarbonization. We also aim to introduce eco-friendly technologies and practices to help Japanese shipowners reduce their carbon footprints.
Partnerships and Collaborations: We plan to deepen our partnerships with Japanese shipowners and industry stakeholders by developing tailored solutions that address the unique needs of the Japanese maritime sector. This includes collaborating on research and development projects related to vessel design, alternative fuels, and innovative technologies for ship management.
Localized Support and Global Expertise: While leveraging our global network, we will further localize our services in Japan, ensuring that our clients benefit from both international best practices and a deep understanding of Japan’s maritime regulations, market conditions, and business culture.
By focusing on these key areas, we aim to solidify our role as a trusted partner to Japanese shipowners and support the long-term growth and modernization of Japan’s maritime industry.“
■Profile：Arvind Mohan
Arvind Mohan is the Founder and Managing Director of Viridian Maritime – a niche provider of Marine Services and Ship Management to the Shipping, Maritime, and Offshore markets.
With over 30 years of experience at Sea and Ashore, he has extensive international experience and exposure, having previously worked in Senior Executive Management positions with Ship Owners and Ship Managers. He has progressively built diverse knowledge in Marine & Shipping activities including Ship Management, Commercial Business Development, SHEQ, and Crew Management, amongst others. All these are now applied within his own company, existing and new partnerships, and joint ventures always ensuring that he is able to build long-term partnerships and trust-based relationships. Arvind holds an MSc. in Finance and is a Maritime Law and Arbitration Graduate from NUS Singapore.
〆インタビュー、ビリディアン・マリタイム（Viridian Maritime）創業者兼代表取締役 アルヴィンド・モハン（Arvind Mohan）氏、「OSVの管理を強化、日本船主との関係をさらに深める」
ビリディアン・マリタイム（Viridian Maritime）は2017年に設立され、本社をシンガポールに置く。同社は船舶管理会社として、技術管理、乗組員管理、海事における健康・安全・環境（HSE）、コンプライアンス（法令順守）、検査・評価、修理、改修、ドッキングなどを含む包括的なサービスを提供する。近年はタンカー、バルカーなど伝統的な船種の船舶管理のほか、浮体式風力発電の需要を受け、オフショア支援船（OSV）、サブシー船（潜水船）の船舶管理、船員教育も手掛ける。日本船主向け船舶管理サービスも手掛ける同社の事業戦略についてアルヴィンド・モハン（Arvind Mohan）創業者兼代表取締役に同社の現状と展望について聞いた。
(Text by Hirofumi Yamamoto)
Photo courtesy= Viridian Maritime, Hirofumi Yamamoto
■多様な船に対応
――最初にビリディアン・マリタイムの概要について聞きたい。
「当社は、グローバルな海運業界に対して専門的な海事サービスを提供している企業である。20人以上の従業員を擁し、船舶運航や船舶管理における専門知識を生かし、船主や船舶運航者など、幅広いクライアントに対してカスタマイズされたソリューションを提供している。当社チームは、船舶が効率的かつ安全、そして国際規則を完全に順守しながらコスト効率良く運航されることを常に心掛けている」
※日本語記事の続きは日本海事新聞でお読みください。