LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/graeme-temple-087271157

R: Can you share your journey and experience in the maritime industry, leading up to your current role as Regional Director APAC at Charles Taylor Marine Technical Services?

G: I’d like to say going to sea was all I wanted to do from childhood, but in reality, it was nothing quite so romantic. I was accepted for Universities in Scotland, but rather than go down the traditional path, my father somehow persuaded me to apply for an apprenticeship with Blue Funnel Lines. Having seen my sea Captain Uncle returning tanned and healthy-looking from visiting exotic places, I did the interviews and decided, what the heck, I will give it a try (and at no cost to mum and dad – it does make me wonder if there were ulterior motives…).

From thereon in, I stayed the path to becoming a Chief Engineer (despite being exposed to more oil and dirt than sun) and when I eventually stepped off a ship many years later and decided to become a surveyor, I stayed the course on that too.

R: What were some of the key milestones or pivotal moments in your career that shaped your path?

G: Boarding my first ship as a teenager, visiting my first foreign port in West Africa, being pirated on my first trip to sea, groundings, fires, and floodings were all memorable, but working with some very tight, professional, and experienced engineering teams were what I enjoyed the most, where it was a matter of pride getting the ship to its destination in whatever poor situations nature or machines threw at us.

Getting my COC1 and first Chief Engineers’ appointment and later becoming a Regional Director for reputable international consultancies were also pivotal moments. The responsibility for business development and employees’ livelihoods were positions I feel lucky to have achieved, motivated me and I never take for granted.

Graeme Temple addressing delegates at the 4th Asian Marine Insurance Conference, 2016 (Photo: The Maritime Executive)

 R: What are your thoughts on the topic of Decarbonization and Sustainability?

G: The marine industry has in many respects been out of sight and out of mind to the public for too long. The food, and goods, arrive on most peoples’ tables without too much thought from the consumer as to how it got there, and what mess it left behind. Traditionally, the only real attention it got was when something went terribly wrong, but in the last 10 years, even these events have diminished considerably despite the size of the fleet growing. 

Unfortunately, as a result, with a large portion of the industry, the attitude has been doing the minimum possible to stay in business. But that is changing in the new environment where ships are now under a great deal of scrutiny from governments when their ports are visited. Decarbonization, sustainability, and digitization now means there are fewer and fewer places to hide for the (legally operating) shipowner and now they must change. Recording of all data real time, and proper enforcement means there is no escaping compliance, the regulatory noose is tightening for everyone – a thoroughly good thing. 

However, there is a huge amount for shipowners to do in the next 10 to 20 years with the imminent adoption of new fuels and technologies, and here at Charles Taylor Marine Technical Services, we are already assisting ship owners and insurers by bringing in the best expertise to provide risk assessments and training advice to achieve compliance.  Things are moving fast in an industry with a habit for exactly the opposite, but I feel momentum is building.

R: In your opinion, what are the main contemporary issues that the Maritime Industry is facing?

G: For me (perhaps blinkered by the fact I visit far too many casualties), the main issues in shipping are people-based rather than technical, because marine engineers are great at solving technical problems:

• Shipping technology is moving fast, but are the seafarers’ abilities?

• How do we create well motivated, happy, and professional seafarers?

• How do we encourage Diversity, Inclusion and Equality into the work force?

It’s an area of concern in APAC, where a large proportion of modern-day seafarers come from. I visit far too many ships where I see crews living a miserable existence. Bringing in new recruits who enjoy being at sea, rather than forced to be at sea to make a living, is a challenge. After all, the industry is only as good as the people in it, and the day where fully autonomous vessels are the norm, and people are redundant is still too far off to ignore these current challenges.

Graeme Temple (back, 2nd from right) in a technical discussion on Future Marine Propulsion risks as part of Hong Kong Marine Week 2023 (Photo: Charles Taylor Marine Technical Services)

R: Before we end this interview, do you have any tips for Maritime Professionals?

G: Be resilient and patient, choose your employer wisely, and stay the course.

I have never had a dull day in this industry, it has always been interesting. If you are not motivated like that, then stay away, it will eventually find you out if you are not resilient (especially if you chose engineering – you are going to get very hot and very dirty at times…).

There are plenty of good employers out there, take your time and chose one that will encourage and help you to grow your career.

Alternatively, why not find employment with a reputable international firm like CTMTS who can offer trainee positions and on the job industry training.