Ryan: Hi Capt. Hari, I would like to interview you from a Marine Insurance, Claims, Loss Prevention perspective. It will be a good read for maritime professionals.
Capt. Hari: Many thanks for asking me, I will be delighted to do so.
Background and Challenges
Ryan: You have an extensive background in the maritime industry. Could you share some key experiences or milestones in your career journey, from your early days to your current role as Regional Head of Business Relations at The Shipowners' Club?
Capt. Hari: With a family background predominantly in shipping, and with my dear departed dad, Capt. Harry Subramaniam, being my role model and mentor, any other career wasn’t an option! The more I saw and learned about the profession from Dad and other industry stalwarts , the more I fell in love with it and that’s the enthusiasm and passion that continues to drive me– true love.
Career Paths: Capt. Hari Subramaniam, Shipowners Club - March 4th 2020 (Photo: Safety4Sea)
Ryan: The field of loss prevention is critical in the maritime industry. Can you tell us about the key responsibilities and challenges you've encountered as a Loss Prevention Manager and how these responsibilities have evolved over the years?
Capt. Hari: With the specialization of the Shipowners’ Club on smaller tonnage, which is in many respects different from the blue water tonnage, changing safety culture mindset has been a key focus and also a minefield when it comes to challenges.
An earnest, fair, and pragmatic approach towards building trust with regards to the fact that this is for the greater good and not a witch-hunt has been my winning formula.
Roles & Institutions
Ryan: The Shipowners' Club focuses on supporting and protecting shipowners. What are some of the initiatives and services you have been involved in as the Regional Head of Business Relations?
Capt. Hari: One of the key projects is the Medical enhancement scheme for Seafarers (MEDISEA) which promotes a comprehensive medical screening for seafarers at no extra cost. This allows them to understand their current health condition in detail, and hence work towards improving this for a longer and happier life with their families and loved ones.
Physical health is the cornerstone towards attaining mental wellbeing and it’s a no brainer as to how crucial a role physically and mentally fit seafarers play towards the success of shipping.
Capt. Hari (4th from Left) at Seafarers Appreciation Day, held on 8 October 2022 in Manila, Philippines, and was hosted by The Shipowners' Club and The Mission (Photo: The Mission to Seafarers)
Ryan: You are currently a Member of the Council at The Nautical Institute. Could you explain your role and how it contributes to the Institute's mission and objectives?
Capt. Hari: I will be taking over as Chairperson of the Nautical Institute (Singapore Branch) in Jan 2024. The aim of the Nautical Institute is to promote professionalism, best practices and safety throughout the maritime industry and to represent the interests of their members.
My current role is very similar as it includes engagement with all stakeholders in the maritime ecosystem towards promoting maritime knowledge, safety culture, and seafarer wellbeing amongst others and hence ties in well with this ethos- it’s a win-win situation.
Ryan: The role of industry organizations and professional bodies is crucial in driving standards and promoting best practices. How do you see The Nautical Institute contributing to these aspects, and what are some of your goals as a member of its Council?
Capt. Hari: Indeed, industry organizations and professional bodies such as the Nautical Institute have a voice in the IMO where they have a consultative status. The NI has consistently proved by example that its walks the talk, and it has numerous sub-committees that toil with various industry initiatives such as training, delivering, understanding of new regulations such as decarbonization to the industry, mentoring programmes for seafarers etc.
As a council member, I strive to understand problems unique to this part of the world by engaging with Seafarers, Maritime students, maritime training institutions, shipping companies, Maritime unions, Flag Administrations, shipping associations etc and appropriately highlighting these at a council level where initiatives formed are pertinent to shipping in Sout- East Asia also and not solely Europe-centric.
I am also a Warden of the Company of Master Mariners of India and chairman of its Singapore Branch. It also follows a similar business plan and hence its all strength in numbers. There is no need to duplicate efforts – one voice!
Experience & Trends
Ryan: You've had a career that combines both seafaring and shore-based roles. How has this unique perspective influenced your approach to loss prevention and safety in the maritime sector?
Capt. Hari: The sailing experience of over 17 years has seasoned me into largely understanding the challenges of the shipping business and hence I’ve learned not to exhaust resources by attempting to fix things that aren’t broken. Also, not to generalise solutions and initiative as one size doesn’t fit all.
A genuine initiative must be tailored for maximum benefit for its target audience, and this takes effort – there is no shortcut.
Capt. Hari Subramaniam, Shipowners’ P&I Club, Singapore, Day 4, ICMA 2019 - Oct 3rd 2019 (Photo: MARE Training)
Ryan: In your experience, what are some of the notable changes and trends in the maritime industry related to loss prevention and safety management?
Capt. Hari: One of the most important and significant changes I’ve seen is the genuine catapulting of seafarer wellbeing into the limelight post covid-19, and rightfully so. Our seafarers have proven their worth to us when it mattered most – above and beyond the call of duty if you ask me.
This is the first step towards genuinely making the industry great again!
In Conclusion
Ryan: For those aspiring to make a significant impact in the maritime industry, what advice would you give based on your extensive career journey and experience?
Capt. Hari: Any effort must be genuine – primarily to help without expecting anything in return. The satisfaction obtained from giving back to the community itself must be a sufficient motivation driver.
It is never a right or ideal time to start doing this service - the perfect time is now!! Always be available for the next generation to impart and share knowledge and experiences.
Succession planning is having the next generations ready to pass the baton to – if we don’t invest time to groom them then we’ve lost the plot.
Make sure that you “walk the talk” and deserve to speak at any conference and seminar – it must reflect your effort and contribution ..not your organizational position.
Your conscience is your best and largest critic – you only need to answer to your conscience which I believe is the God inside you – everything else will fall into place.
Capt. Hari (3rd from Right), Mr Cheah (Center) and Capt. Zheng Yi (3rd from Left) pictured with students from
SMA at engagement session - 19th July 2022 (Photo: MPA)
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