Testimonials

Interview

Pauline SEMEY, Chief Engineer – LDA

1) What has been your career path so far?

With a monovalent machine training course, I made my first maritime navigation on board chemical tankers of Maersk Tankers as a student, then as a 3rd engineer. Following a redundancy plan, I continued my career in various positions (from 3rd to chief engineer) within the company Louis Dreyfus Armateurs on ro-ro ships (transport of parts for Airbus) and mainly cable ships (repair of submarines communications cables).

2) Could you tell us more about your current role / your missions?How did your position evolve in the Group?

As chief engineer, I am responsible for the operation and technical maintenance of the entire vessel.

I joined LDA in 2014 as 3rd engineer. After a few years, I replaced second engineers before being stabilized in this function in 2018. Since 2021, I have now held the position of chief engineer.

3) What do you like the most in this job?

Diversity at all levels: the type of ship, the different equipment on board, the places of navigation, the multi-cultural crews… no boarding is ever the same.

4) Could you name 3 must-have qualities for this job?

Adaptability, perseverance, open-mindedness.

5) What is your motto?

There are no men or women on a ship, only seafarers!

6) If you could give some advice to a woman wishing to pursue a career in the maritime industry, what would it be?

Choosing to become a seafarer is more than choosing a job, it is choosing a way of life. Given the life it implies, it is not possible to do it out of spite; you have to be ready to be away from your loved

ones for several months, without having access to the same means and facilities of communication you would have onshore. Even if today, thanks to the internet, things have progressed.

You must succeed in exceeding the many prejudices suffered by the industry, historically known as a hard profession and reserved for men. This is not always easy, as at present the vast majority of positions of responsibility on board are still occupied by men who can be very conservative.

It is then necessary to persevere and keep your self-confidence, not to let yourself be destabilized. It’s a job where you have to be prepared to do a bit of everything, to show great adaptability due to the diversity of the equipment, the situations encountered, the multi-cultural crews with whom you work, but also the type of navigation. You also have to stand being the only woman on board, even if it is increasingly rare, it still happens regularly. In the vast majority of cases, the men appreciate the presence of women on board and readily admit that the atmosphere and the discussions are much better when we are there.

Interview

Junaid SM ,  Officier d’équipage – LDPL

1) Could you summarize your career and present your current position? Could you please specify if you have evolved within the Louis Dreyfus Armateurs group?

I have always been passionate about ships even though I was a MBA graduate in HR & Marketing. But that did not stop me from gripping off my passion. After going through a few administrative roles in India and KSA, in 2018 I started my career in the marine industry as a crewing assistant. Truly, hard work pays off, I then started my career within LDPL in March 2021 as a crewing officer. Now, it’s such an honour for me to be here.

2) What do you like the most about your job?

To be honest, working in a crewing department is very challenging and exciting. But, if someone asks me now, I’ll say, crewing is the job which I like the most in my career. I sincerely enjoy every function of crewing and appreciate dealing with the crews by providing services, advice, support and so on.

Besides, it is obvious that LDPL has one of the finest working environment. I wish to grow more and more.

3) About your job: would you have a significant story or event to share?

As the first wave of covid hit the whole world, some of my vessels at my ex-employer were badly affected when they were in the company owned port. Three of them, containing 36 crew members (12*3) were tested positive. They totally panicked and it went chaotic. The government authorities had asked us to find a place for their quarantine. We checked for all possibilities but even hotels weren’t ready to accommodate a colossal number of crew members.

The QHSE coordinator & I took the initiative to take the lead. We arranged their quarantine on the vessel itself. It was a tough time.  I had to motivate the crews, to encourage them and support them by providing medicines and giving them exercices to keep their body fit followed by periodical tests and so on. It took one and half month for them to be tested negative.

It was a great experience for me and I received a lot of appreciation from the crews. Accomplishing this task successfully was truly a challenge but when you have a strong determination, you somehow make it.

4) What is your motto?

Live happily and make others so. Be the kind and loving person that you are, and your footprints will forever be cherished.

Interview

Ben Slimane ABDESSATTAR ,  Transshipment Vessel Captain- LDPL Middle East

1) Could you summarise your career path and present your current position?

I grew up on an island, the main activity was fishing and I come from a fisherman’s family.

In 1985, I graduated from the Naval Academy in Tunisia amongst the first promotion. I got a Master’s degree. I started navigating on board general cargo ships, chemical tankers and LPG carriers.

In 1990, I started working as a Master navigating all over the world, crossing most of all the seas, oceans and straits except for the Panama canal. I worked for different companies on board oil tankers, LPG tankers, RORO ships, tug boats, passenger vessels, fish carriers and offshore oil service vessels.

I currently hold the position of master of a transhipper vessel within LDPL in the Middle East. I am based in the port of Kamsar in Guinea. I still learn a lot and working on an offshore bulk carrier at LDPL has been a new challenge for me.

2) What do you particularly like about your job?

The job of a sailor is not suited for everyone, it is tough and impacts the sailor’s family and their offspring’s education. On my side I highly appreciate the role and support of my wife during my rotation at sea to handle all the family requirements.

To be successful, you must love your job. Travelling all over the world, discovering lands, waters, countries, civilization and people’s traditions is the privilege of the sailor.

3) About your job: would you have an anecdote or an important fact to share?

I have crossed the Bermuda Triangle twice and nothing happened. But once, on the Mediterranean Sea, as I was on board with my wife and my daughter who was 2 years old at the time, we got a blackout due to the bad weather conditions, wind 35 to 40 Kts and swell 4 to 5 m, we drifted for 36 hours and were eventually towed to a shipyard for repair.

4) What is your motto?

Learn new things every day and stay calm and confident as a manager.

Interview

Shaiju NARAYANAN ,  Field Mechanical Engineer & Workshop Manager – LDPL

1) Could you summarize your career and present your current position? Could you please specify if you have evolved within the Louis Dreyfus Armateurs group? 

I have more than 18 years of experience in project management and maintenance of bulk material handling systems, such as crusher, screening and heavy machinery. 

In 2019, I Joined LDPL as a field mechanical engineer. In 2020, I was promoted field mechanical engineer and workshop manager.

Today, my responsibilities are to supervise the maintenance activities on gantry type ship, the smooth unloading operation of cranes and the run of heavy machinery, for the Hassyan power plant in Dubaï, UAE. I also provide technical support to superintendents and onboard crews about the ship unloader system on our transshipment units.

2) What do you like the most about your job?

Every day I gain knowledge and I get exposure to prove my expertise.  I enjoy the freedom I have to explore and implement the solutions based on my experience. This is what I like the most about my day-to-day job.

3) About your job: would you have a significant story or event to share?

I had the great opportunity to work for the commissioning of the onboard ship unloader system on 3 vessels : Al Maria, Al Hamra and ALM Loura. The ALM Loura vessel is dedicated to our operations in Guinea.

Furthermore, the commissioning and the first cargo operation of ALM Loura took place during the pandemic period. Due to travel restrictions, the installation team of the ship unloader was only able to provide us with remote support. It was very challenging for my team and I to perform the installation ourselves, but we achieved it successfully! 

I was also involved in the training sessions for onboard crews to learn about the ship unloader system.  

For the Hassyan project I was involved in the set-up of the maintenance system for shore facilities, the workshop functions and also the inventory system for the warehouse. It is a great record in my career path.  

4) What is your motto?

“Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality.” Dalai Lama. 

Interview

Leo HAMBRO ,  Commercial Manager – LD Sea

1) Could you summarise your career path and present your current position ?

My career has evolved from commodity trading via forestry through to offshore crew vessels. One common theme has been the focus on renewable energy. Firstly while trading sugar, a key area of development was the bio-ethanol industry and the transfer of its production technology. Then in forestry it was about maximising the yield from each tree which led to a considerable focus on biomass and pelletisation. My next step into the marine sector was due to development of the offshore wind sector off my local North Norfolk coast. The industry has grown dramatically since my move 11 years ago and so have the boats used to service it, hence my involvement with LD SEA and their fleet.

I am currently UK Commercial Manager for LD Sea covering the marketing of SOV’s primarily into the UK offshore windfarm. In addition I co-own Tidal Transit Limited, a crew transfer vessel (CTV) provider in the UK which is in partnership with LDA in France (LD Tide SA).

2) What do you particularly like about your job?

What I love about my job is that firstly everyday presents different challenges and secondly what we are doing is making a difference. Offshore wind is a major part of the global decarbonization plan and our business provides a means of access to maximise the yield of these farms. Working with LDA has been fantastic as it has allowed expansion of our CTV venture in to the huge growth market of France. In addition, since I have been representing LDA and their SOVs in the UK, I have been well supported and have learnt a great deal about the decarbonization opportunities for this niche area of the sector. It is phenomenally exciting to hear what the new build team are working on [my advice is stay tuned] !

3) About your job: would you have an anecdote or an important fact to share?

My first trades as a commodity broker involved Louis Dreyfus therefore it is wonderful to have nearly circled around over 20 years later to be representing LDA in the UK.

4) What is your motto ?

LinkedIn is littered with hashtags that I have used over the years but the one I feel the strongest about is #ElectrifyEverything – We are at a turning point where more and more processes and movements can be done without using fossil fuels. Now is the time for change! Don’t wait!

Interview

Cécile BELLORD , Head of Legal & Insurance Department – LDA

1) Could you summarise your career path and present your current position? If you have evolved within LDA, could you please specify it?

I have been a maritime lawyer since 1999, when I took the oath. After 7 years in a law firm, I left the bar to join the world of professional organizations and institutional relations: first as a lawyer for the French Federation of Maritime Pilots then Deputy General Delegate of Armateurs de France.

In 2017, I decided to join a more operational area in the shipping sector by becoming the Legal and Insurance Director of the LDA Group. The support and the trust of the senior management have enabled me to build a comprehensive and professional team to serve the entire group. In addition to the traditional scope of work of a legal and insurance department : company law, group structuring, development and management of contractual activity, support for financing operations and purchase, sale of vessels, underwriting and management of all the group’s insurance policies, litigation management, etc … the Legal & Insurance team brought a real “Risk management” dimension by identifying and evaluating the risks that the group faces and by implementing the best tools in order to master them.

Now, the Legal & Insurance department has become the reference partner in risk management, strategy support and for the group’s commercial development.

2) What do you particularly like about your job?

Legal structuring of commercial projects is extremely exciting and makes it possible to give meaning to an activity that supports the group’s commercial developments.

This position allows me to have a transversal look at the activities and strategy of the group, thus strengthening my sense of belonging.

3) About your job: would you have an anecdote or an important fact to share?

I had the opportunity to step in the Erika case as the firm I worked for at the time represented the charterer. Which “Maritimist” would not have liked to participate in such an emblematic and historic case ?

4) What is your motto ?

Have a sense of effort

Interview

Pauline SEMEY, Chief Engineer – LDA

1) What has been your career path so far?

With a monovalent machine training course, I made my first maritime navigation on board chemical tankers of Maersk Tankers as a student, then as a 3rd engineer. Following a redundancy plan, I continued my career in various positions (from 3rd to chief engineer) within the company Louis Dreyfus Armateurs on ro-ro ships (transport of parts for Airbus) and mainly cable ships (repair of submarines communications cables).

2) Could you tell us more about your current role / your missions?How did your position evolve in the Group?

As chief engineer, I am responsible for the operation and technical maintenance of the entire vessel.

I joined LDA in 2014 as 3rd engineer. After a few years, I replaced second engineers before being stabilized in this function in 2018. Since 2021, I have now held the position of chief engineer.

3) What do you like the most in this job?

Diversity at all levels: the type of ship, the different equipment on board, the places of navigation, the multi-cultural crews… no boarding is ever the same.

4) Could you name 3 must-have qualities for this job?

Adaptability, perseverance, open-mindedness.

5) What is your motto?

There are no men or women on a ship, only seafarers!

6) If you could give some advice to a woman wishing to pursue a career in the maritime industry, what would it be?

Choosing to become a seafarer is more than choosing a job, it is choosing a way of life. Given the life it implies, it is not possible to do it out of spite; you have to be ready to be away from your loved

ones for several months, without having access to the same means and facilities of communication you would have onshore. Even if today, thanks to the internet, things have progressed.

You must succeed in exceeding the many prejudices suffered by the industry, historically known as a hard profession and reserved for men. This is not always easy, as at present the vast majority of positions of responsibility on board are still occupied by men who can be very conservative.

It is then necessary to persevere and keep your self-confidence, not to let yourself be destabilized. It’s a job where you have to be prepared to do a bit of everything, to show great adaptability due to the diversity of the equipment, the situations encountered, the multi-cultural crews with whom you work, but also the type of navigation. You also have to stand being the only woman on board, even if it is increasingly rare, it still happens regularly. In the vast majority of cases, the men appreciate the presence of women on board and readily admit that the atmosphere and the discussions are much better when we are there.

Interview

Junaid SM ,  Officier d’équipage – LDPL

1) Could you summarize your career and present your current position? Could you please specify if you have evolved within the Louis Dreyfus Armateurs group?

I have always been passionate about ships even though I was a MBA graduate in HR & Marketing. But that did not stop me from gripping off my passion. After going through a few administrative roles in India and KSA, in 2018 I started my career in the marine industry as a crewing assistant. Truly, hard work pays off, I then started my career within LDPL in March 2021 as a crewing officer. Now, it’s such an honour for me to be here.

2) What do you like the most about your job?

To be honest, working in a crewing department is very challenging and exciting. But, if someone asks me now, I’ll say, crewing is the job which I like the most in my career. I sincerely enjoy every function of crewing and appreciate dealing with the crews by providing services, advice, support and so on.

Besides, it is obvious that LDPL has one of the finest working environment. I wish to grow more and more.

3) About your job: would you have a significant story or event to share?

As the first wave of covid hit the whole world, some of my vessels at my ex-employer were badly affected when they were in the company owned port. Three of them, containing 36 crew members (12*3) were tested positive. They totally panicked and it went chaotic. The government authorities had asked us to find a place for their quarantine. We checked for all possibilities but even hotels weren’t ready to accommodate a colossal number of crew members.

The QHSE coordinator & I took the initiative to take the lead. We arranged their quarantine on the vessel itself. It was a tough time.  I had to motivate the crews, to encourage them and support them by providing medicines and giving them exercices to keep their body fit followed by periodical tests and so on. It took one and half month for them to be tested negative.

It was a great experience for me and I received a lot of appreciation from the crews. Accomplishing this task successfully was truly a challenge but when you have a strong determination, you somehow make it.

4) What is your motto?

Live happily and make others so. Be the kind and loving person that you are, and your footprints will forever be cherished.

Interview

Ben Slimane ABDESSATTAR ,  Transshipment Vessel Captain- LDPL Middle East

1) Could you summarise your career path and present your current position?

I grew up on an island, the main activity was fishing and I come from a fisherman’s family.

In 1985, I graduated from the Naval Academy in Tunisia amongst the first promotion. I got a Master’s degree. I started navigating on board general cargo ships, chemical tankers and LPG carriers.

In 1990, I started working as a Master navigating all over the world, crossing most of all the seas, oceans and straits except for the Panama canal. I worked for different companies on board oil tankers, LPG tankers, RORO ships, tug boats, passenger vessels, fish carriers and offshore oil service vessels.

I currently hold the position of master of a transhipper vessel within LDPL in the Middle East. I am based in the port of Kamsar in Guinea. I still learn a lot and working on an offshore bulk carrier at LDPL has been a new challenge for me.

2) What do you particularly like about your job?

The job of a sailor is not suited for everyone, it is tough and impacts the sailor’s family and their offspring’s education. On my side I highly appreciate the role and support of my wife during my rotation at sea to handle all the family requirements.

To be successful, you must love your job. Travelling all over the world, discovering lands, waters, countries, civilization and people’s traditions is the privilege of the sailor.

3) About your job: would you have an anecdote or an important fact to share?

I have crossed the Bermuda Triangle twice and nothing happened. But once, on the Mediterranean Sea, as I was on board with my wife and my daughter who was 2 years old at the time, we got a blackout due to the bad weather conditions, wind 35 to 40 Kts and swell 4 to 5 m, we drifted for 36 hours and were eventually towed to a shipyard for repair.

4) What is your motto?

Learn new things every day and stay calm and confident as a manager.

Interview

Shaiju NARAYANAN ,  Field Mechanical Engineer & Workshop Manager – LDPL

1) Could you summarize your career and present your current position? Could you please specify if you have evolved within the Louis Dreyfus Armateurs group? 

I have more than 18 years of experience in project management and maintenance of bulk material handling systems, such as crusher, screening and heavy machinery. 

In 2019, I Joined LDPL as a field mechanical engineer. In 2020, I was promoted field mechanical engineer and workshop manager.

Today, my responsibilities are to supervise the maintenance activities on gantry type ship, the smooth unloading operation of cranes and the run of heavy machinery, for the Hassyan power plant in Dubaï, UAE. I also provide technical support to superintendents and onboard crews about the ship unloader system on our transshipment units.

2) What do you like the most about your job?

Every day I gain knowledge and I get exposure to prove my expertise.  I enjoy the freedom I have to explore and implement the solutions based on my experience. This is what I like the most about my day-to-day job.

3) About your job: would you have a significant story or event to share?

I had the great opportunity to work for the commissioning of the onboard ship unloader system on 3 vessels : Al Maria, Al Hamra and ALM Loura. The ALM Loura vessel is dedicated to our operations in Guinea.

Furthermore, the commissioning and the first cargo operation of ALM Loura took place during the pandemic period. Due to travel restrictions, the installation team of the ship unloader was only able to provide us with remote support. It was very challenging for my team and I to perform the installation ourselves, but we achieved it successfully! 

I was also involved in the training sessions for onboard crews to learn about the ship unloader system.  

For the Hassyan project I was involved in the set-up of the maintenance system for shore facilities, the workshop functions and also the inventory system for the warehouse. It is a great record in my career path.  

4) What is your motto?

“Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality.” Dalai Lama. 

Interview

Leo HAMBRO ,  Commercial Manager – LD Sea

1) Could you summarise your career path and present your current position ?

My career has evolved from commodity trading via forestry through to offshore crew vessels. One common theme has been the focus on renewable energy. Firstly while trading sugar, a key area of development was the bio-ethanol industry and the transfer of its production technology. Then in forestry it was about maximising the yield from each tree which led to a considerable focus on biomass and pelletisation. My next step into the marine sector was due to development of the offshore wind sector off my local North Norfolk coast. The industry has grown dramatically since my move 11 years ago and so have the boats used to service it, hence my involvement with LD SEA and their fleet.

I am currently UK Commercial Manager for LD Sea covering the marketing of SOV’s primarily into the UK offshore windfarm. In addition I co-own Tidal Transit Limited, a crew transfer vessel (CTV) provider in the UK which is in partnership with LDA in France (LD Tide SA).

2) What do you particularly like about your job?

What I love about my job is that firstly everyday presents different challenges and secondly what we are doing is making a difference. Offshore wind is a major part of the global decarbonization plan and our business provides a means of access to maximise the yield of these farms. Working with LDA has been fantastic as it has allowed expansion of our CTV venture in to the huge growth market of France. In addition, since I have been representing LDA and their SOVs in the UK, I have been well supported and have learnt a great deal about the decarbonization opportunities for this niche area of the sector. It is phenomenally exciting to hear what the new build team are working on [my advice is stay tuned] !

3) About your job: would you have an anecdote or an important fact to share?

My first trades as a commodity broker involved Louis Dreyfus therefore it is wonderful to have nearly circled around over 20 years later to be representing LDA in the UK.

4) What is your motto ?

LinkedIn is littered with hashtags that I have used over the years but the one I feel the strongest about is #ElectrifyEverything – We are at a turning point where more and more processes and movements can be done without using fossil fuels. Now is the time for change! Don’t wait!

Interview

Cécile BELLORD , Head of Legal & Insurance Department – LDA

1) Could you summarise your career path and present your current position? If you have evolved within LDA, could you please specify it?

I have been a maritime lawyer since 1999, when I took the oath. After 7 years in a law firm, I left the bar to join the world of professional organizations and institutional relations: first as a lawyer for the French Federation of Maritime Pilots then Deputy General Delegate of Armateurs de France.

In 2017, I decided to join a more operational area in the shipping sector by becoming the Legal and Insurance Director of the LDA Group. The support and the trust of the senior management have enabled me to build a comprehensive and professional team to serve the entire group. In addition to the traditional scope of work of a legal and insurance department : company law, group structuring, development and management of contractual activity, support for financing operations and purchase, sale of vessels, underwriting and management of all the group’s insurance policies, litigation management, etc … the Legal & Insurance team brought a real “Risk management” dimension by identifying and evaluating the risks that the group faces and by implementing the best tools in order to master them.

Now, the Legal & Insurance department has become the reference partner in risk management, strategy support and for the group’s commercial development.

2) What do you particularly like about your job?

Legal structuring of commercial projects is extremely exciting and makes it possible to give meaning to an activity that supports the group’s commercial developments.

This position allows me to have a transversal look at the activities and strategy of the group, thus strengthening my sense of belonging.

3) About your job: would you have an anecdote or an important fact to share?

I had the opportunity to step in the Erika case as the firm I worked for at the time represented the charterer. Which “Maritimist” would not have liked to participate in such an emblematic and historic case ?

4) What is your motto ?

Have a sense of effort