Testimonials

Interview

Nagasubramani Balakrishnan, Procurement Officer at LDPL Middle East

1/ What has been your career path so far?

After completion of my bachelor’s in Mechanical engineering, I started my career in Logistics and Supply Chain. My passion for Maritime kept growing, for which I moved to Dubai, to start a career in the Maritime Industry. Before starting my career in LDPL, the experience I gained in the other companies helped increase my quality of work in LDPL. My journey in LDPL MIDDLE EAST started in December 2018 as a Procurement Officer. The amount of knowledge I gained in these past 2 years, will help me carve my path towards a better future in LDPL.

2/ Could you tell us more about your current role / your missions?

It began with managing the procurement & logistics of spares for the Dubai and Guinea fleet. As a procurement officer, my major tasks revolve around sourcing of spare parts for the vessel. My main mission would be to abide by the delivering of the right parts, at the right place, and at a right quantity.

3/ What do you like the most about the job?

LDPL has one of the finest working environments I have ever experienced. Coming to work has been a delight, because of the working environment LDPL offers. My colleagues here are a treat to talk and mingle with. The everyday experience is what keeps me attracted to this job.

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

The 2 years I have spent here have turned me into a better person. The qualities that I feel one must certainly have as a Procurement Officer is the ability to work hard, be focused and have great communication skills.

5/ Any anecdote or major fact you would like to share about your job?

Responsiveness. During the pandemic time, planning & shipment of spares was a difficult and challenging task. With the support of my Manager & my team, we were successful in shipping out the items to Dubai & Conakry without any delay.

6/ Are you a land or a sea person?

As much as I enjoy being in office, the sea offers thrills of its own. The small opportunities we get to be on board with other crew members is what I call a total joy ride.

7/ What are your hobbies and interests?

Watching football is one of my favourite ways to pass my leisure time. Apart from that, music and movies keep me entertained.

8/ What is your motto?

The only way to do great work is love what you do.

Interview

Tanvi Desai, Admin and HR Supervisor

1 / Could you tell us more about your career path and your current position?

I started working with LDPL MIDDLE EAST in November 2018 as Polyvalent Executive Assistance. As a newcomer in the Marine and Transshipment industry, I got an opportunity to explore different departments such as Technical, Operations, Purchasing, QHSE, Crewing to understand each department’s job role and importance related to the activities. With learning and experiencing on day to day basis, I strengthen my knowledge, skills, and abilities which were required to move on to my next step and position as Admin and HR Supervisor in July 2020.

2 / What has your career path been like at Louis Dreyfus Armateurs Group / LDPL?

Louis Dreyfus Armateurs Group / LDPL has strong leadership approach. Leaders and managers create strong relationship with employees and always encourage for feedback. This attitude from my leaders always gives me positive energy and to be challenged, constant learning and grow.

3 / What do you like most about your job?

As a part of Human Resource, I enjoy helping Employees and Managers improve the effectiveness of an organization.

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

Integrity, Good listener and Navigate the Organization.

5/ What are your hobbies and interests?

My hobbies are listening to music, drawing animation and I am interested in Sports such as fitness training and traveling.

6/ Are you a land or sea person?

Land while working and sea while on holidays! ????

7/ What is your motto?

If you can dream it, you can make it.

8/ Any anecdote or major fact you would like to share?

Reactivity! During operation we encountered that one of the employees got COVID-19. As work must continue, I had to look for an alternate option as a group of employees had to quarantine till they get their negative PCR test. Immediately I found an alternate option for drivers through our agent to drive bus and car to drop other employees at the site area. Everything was arranged and there was no distraction during the operation. Also, follow-up was done with quarantine employees to ensure that they are well looked after.

******

Thank you very much Tanvi !

Interview

Baptiste Manrot, Captain

1/ What has been your career path so far ?

I grew up in a family who has always been passionate about the sea, but I was the first one to get a job out of it. I started my career right after secondary school. In 1999, I went to a boarding school in La Rochelle to take a two-year course in marine mechanics. In 2001, I obtained an engine specialist certificate and a certificate of vocational proficiency as a third-class engineer officer. I had a summer job as a diesel engineer with engine manufacturer Wärtsilä.

I attended a preparatory class and passed the entrance exam to the Maritime Academy in Saint-Malo in 2003. In 2005, I graduated as a second-class officer in the merchant navy. I went to sea as a student with the Compagnie Maritime Nantaise (MN) and La Surf and became a versatile officer in April 2006.
I embarked for the first few months as a third engineer on the RoRo vessels carrying the Ariane 5 rocket and as a deck lieutenant on a three-masted ship named Belem.

I left the MN to join LOUIS DREYFUS ARMATEURS in 2007 and embarked directly as a third-class engineer officer on the EDOUARD LD until the end of the year. In 2008, my credentials allowed me to take a course for second-class officers to enter the last year of first-class officers’ studies. During this time, I stayed on the EDOUARD LD until the ship was sold in Malaysia. I was then transferred to the bulk carrier JEAN LD in Singapore until September 2008.

In 2009, I obtained my first-class officer’s diploma at the Maritime Academy in Le Havre and started to work on the cable ship LODBROG. I stayed on cable ships until 2012 when I became Chief Mate on the ILE DE SEIN. In late 2017, I joined ASN Marine to work in vessel support, then as an installation engineer, while taking part in tool design for cable operations. In November 2019, having realised I missed the sea, I went back to it as a Master on ILE D’AIX.

2/ Could you tell us more about your current role ?

I am a Master and Operation Manager. I organise operations with my crew while ensuring the monitoring and management of the vessel. This role has been very rewarding on a personal and professional level. I am proud of it and proud to represent the company on board the ship. I like the decision-making aspect of my job but also the human side – I enjoy being close to my team.

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

Being at sea in a fast-changing environment, having the trust of my crew and being able to rely on them too.

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

Sense of responsibility / Organisation skills / Ability to stay calm.

5/ What are your hobbies and interests ?

My family, the sea – even when I am on vacation (I enjoy diving and sailing) and inventing or building things.

6/ Are you a land or sea person ?

Definitely a sea person. I have often considered living on a boat with my family.

7/ What is your motto ?

Learn from others but stay true to yourself.

8/Any anecdote or major fact you would like to share ?

I was lucky – like many others I suppose – to meet and work for a few years with someone with a strong personality: Master Dhainaut. His famous “NOWWW” will go down in history. So will the moment when, during a docking, he said over the radio to the lieutenant who was arguing that the hawser was too soft, “no, it is you who are soft”.
Another memorable event was the fire on ILE DE SEIN. I was Chief Mate and I used a CO² fire extinguisher at Philippe Kervella’s command. It was a sad spectacle to see the ship so damaged.

******

Thank you Captain!

Interview

Série de témoignages « De la terre à la mer »

Jean-Christophe Vaillant, Responsable opérationnel OPENR

1/ Pourrais-tu te présenter et nous résumer ton parcours ?

Jeune, j’avais plutôt une volonté de me tourner vers un métier en relation avec la nature mais mon intérêt pour la technologie m’a dirigé vers la gestion des énergies. Le mixte de ces deux appétences m’a mené vers les énergies renouvelables et plus particulièrement l’éolien ; qui en 1994, n’était pas réellement en France le moyen de production le plus porteur malgré un développement fulgurant à l’international. J’ai intégré la seule formation supérieure ayant un volet d’enseignement sur ce sujet à Bordeaux le DESS Gestion des Énergies Renouvelables. A l’issue de de cette formation, j’ai rejoint le 1er Bureau d’étude français œuvrant pour le développement de la filière éolienne : Espace Eolien Développement.

La technologie a évolué puisque les premières éoliennes sur lesquelles je suis intervenu en Espagne ne faisaient que 30-50 mètres de haut pour une puissance de 200 kW. Loin de la technologie mature d’aujourd’hui avec des éoliennes dépassant les 5000 kW pour des hauteurs de plus de 130-150 mètres de haut. J’ai pu passer de missions de développements et d’analyses des gisements, à responsable de construction et responsable d’exploitation de centrales éoliennes.
La création de la société OPENR avec Jean-Jacques VINAT m’a permis d’avancer plus encore sur les questions d’exploitations et d’inspections des éoliennes avec toujours une volonté d’optimisation de la disponibilité de ce moyen de production qui est devenu l’une des sources d’approvisionnement renouvelable majeur d’électricité dans le réseau français et Mondial.
L’étape suivante étant l’éolien offshore, le rapprochement avec le Groupe Louis Dreyfus Armateurs est apparu rapidement comme une évidence. Il a permis d’ouvrir le champ au développement de nouvelles activités d’OPENR sur ce nouveau marché de production d’électricité à partir d’une ressource renouvelable.

2/ Quel est ton poste actuel ?

Actuellement responsable opérationnel au sein d’OPENR, mon rôle est d’organiser le fonctionnement et le développement des missions réalisées pour nos clients mais aussi de développer de nouvelles activités. Dans une structure de petite taille comme OPENR, ce rôle mixe des fonctions de gestion des relation humaines, de responsable de la Qualité, de la Sécurité et de l’Environnement, de formateur , de responsable Technique sur les sujets de vérifications réglementaires, de responsable des achats et de garant au sein de l’équipe de direction de l’équilibre des budgets dans le cadre d’un développement solide d’OPENR.

3/ Une formation pour passer de la terre à la mer…Pourrais-tu nous raconter brièvement cette nouvelle aventure ?

Une formation pour passer de la terre à la mer ? Issu d’un milieu paysan, ma relation avec l’océan ne s’est résumée qu’aux loisirs sur la côte bretonne avec un attrait important pour la plongée. Mon implication dans le développement de la filière éolienne terrestre en France m’a éloigné de la mer, bien que je sois resté en contact via quelques cartes SHOM utilisées dans différentes études sur lesquelles je suis intervenu pour évaluer le potentiel éolien dans l’espace maritime de la métropole française.
N’étant pas marin de métier, l’apprentissage de quelques rudiments de survie en mer s’avère nécessaire. C’est cependant la seule exigence complémentaire hormis celle qui ne peut pas être apprise qui est de supporter le mal de mer. Mes expériences de plongées sous-marines ou d’interventions sur des bouées de mesures du vent, ajoutées au fait que l’oscillation des éoliennes s’apparente au tangage me permettent de ne pas appréhender ce mal.
La principale conclusion de cette formation est que, comme dans le cadre du travail en hauteur, il ne faut jamais tomber ; lors du travail en milieu marin, il ne faut jamais tomber à l’eau.

4/ Quelles sont les 3 qualités essentielles pour réussir dans ton métier et ton nouveau métier ?

Travailler dans l’éolien nécessite un peu d’engagement politique car ce moyen de production d’électricité est particulièrement soumis à polémique dans notre société française et il faut être prêt à répondre aux questions légitimes qui peuvent être posées en dehors de la sphère professionnelle.
En tant que responsable opérationnel, il n’y a pas vraiment de nouveau métier, c’est plutôt une continuité avec l’ajout d’une perspective supplémentaire. La capacité à fédérer autour d’un projet commun reste l’une des qualités majeures et un défi à réaliser avec l’augmentation des effectifs au sein d’OPENR.
Le corollaire de la qualité précédente est l’aptitude à l’écoute et la prise en compte des implications et inquiétudes de l’équipe que constitue OPENR.

La difficulté étant la distanciation déjà présente dans notre activité avec une dispersion des équipes sur le territoire. L’augmentation des effectifs et amplifiée dernièrement par la période de crise sanitaire.

5/ Qu’apprécies-tu plus particulièrement dans ton métier ?

L’implication dans la filière éolienne est un choix assumé qui a une tendance à déborder sur ma vie privée. Je ne dirais pas que c’est un sacerdoce, mais se réaliser dans cette filière et ce métier avec le sentiment d’agir pour la planète apporte une certaine fierté. Au sein d’OPENR de nombreuses opportunités s’ouvrent et la synergie avec LDA permet d’envisager encore plus de projets en accord avec mes convictions. Ce métier permet donc d’être pleinement acteur dans le changement en cours de notre société.

6/ Une anecdote ? Un fait marquant à propos de ton métier et de son évolution ?

C’est lorsque j’ai pris la décision de me former dans l’éolien, alors qu’il était plus facile de trouver une formation sur la physique nucléaire ; il a encore été plus difficile de trouver une société intervenant dans l’éolien, elles se comptaient à l’époque sur les doigts d’une main. Quel chemin parcouru en 20 ans !

7/ La mer ou la terre ?

L’énergie renouvelable et éolienne avant tout où qu’elle soit.

******

Merci Jean-Christophe pour ce témoignage très inspirant !

Interview

Christophe Cancel, Draughtsman – Design Office

1/ Could you summarize your career and tell us about your current position?

Despite a two-year degree in mechanical engineering and production in 2013 in Ville d’Avray (France), I felt unconfident and not mature enough to follow this way.
I had multiple jobs and some of them have touched me. I was indeed a door-to-door salesman of ENI gas contracts. I lived so many situations, I have met so many people in so many places and all allowed me to grow, to be humble, to be determined and self-confident despite the insecurity of this job as I earned what I sold. I have then spent 6 months in Corsica working in the fields of the family farm that was run by my cousin. This experience was unforgettable: I discovered my family from a different look, my cousin leading a company in an exceptional place.

I then felt more determined and ambitious when I returned to Paris. My technical diploma (DUT) led to various job opportunities (machine operator, draughtsman, engineering school, quality technician, maintenance…). I’ve always wanted a technical job. When I was a child, I was already passionate about aeronautics. This explains a first experience for a subcontractor of THALES which specialized in the production of aeronautical components. However, that was not a job for me.

I really wanted to join a design office, so I looked up about a new AFPA training and after one year as a senior mechanical design technician, I signed a fixed term contract at ENERTIME where I carried out my end-of-year internship. This company designs and develops turbomachines and ORCs in the renewable energy sector, and I had to design various ORC projects for French waste disposal sites. This was followed by a job in nuclear research at SPG for precision engineering mechanics before joining the design office of LOUIS DREYFUS ARMATEURS as a draughtsman.
I am in charge of designing the drawings of mechanical systems.

2/ What do you particularly like about your job?

I mainly appreciate the development of unique tailor-made mechanical systems. Analysis of the needs, wishes, constraints and specifications. We must successfully “transfer” our ideas into the design software, go through the design phase and then prepare the whole system leading to the production. It’s a real pleasure to work in the maritime sector from both the technical and human points of view. And we can also decide how we work as the design office has just been created one year ago. This feeling of independence means a great responsibility in making choices: all the contact persons must be satisfied and must trust us. There are many exciting challenges for all of us!

3/ What are the 3 essential qualities in your job?

I would say curiosity, flexibility, and rigor. Curiosity makes us to question and to find the best solutions to meet the customer’s needs. Flexibility is necessary for any projects that could lead the clients to change sometimes their minds. Finally, I must be rigorous because if my plans are not accurate or are incomplete, the manufacturers will not be able to design the expected parts.

4/ Do you have any significant fact or anecdote to share about your job?

One of my first missions at LDA was to design a 3D model of the new ship ILE D’OUESSANT. I was very proud when I discovered the pictures on the website and then the 3D animation video. And my father who has been modeling ships since I was a child really liked the video!

5/ Land or sea?

Land, definitely! To be honest, even though I get my sea legs and I love water sports such as sailing and catamaran, I much prefer contacts and living new adventures from the mainland! By the way, I would go around the world… on foot!

6/ Your next trip?

My next trip would be Peru. I really like South America for its beautiful landscapes and quite spectacular regions. Life is still quite wild in some places, flora and fauna are rich and there are beautiful high-altitude landscapes. I am very attracted by these very different civilizations and cultures.

7/ Your motto?

“Live in the present moment.” I do care about living in the present moment with a lack of concern. It allows me to fully appreciate the value of people and things…

******

Thank you Christophe for this inspiring interview!

The Louis Dreyfus Armateurs Group joins the Cluster Maritime Français (CMF) and the Association Elles Bougent  to celebrate women on the occasion of this World Ocean Day 2020 and through the operation “Les ELLES de l’Océan“.

This special operation aims to promote the place of women in the maritime sector and to make young women aware of career opportunities related to the sea.

Discover now the interview by our seafarer colleague Elise Vandermeersch.

Interview

1 / Could you introduce yourself?

My name is Elise Vandermeersch and I am a Lieutenant / DPO at Louis Dreyfus Armateurs.

2 / Where does your interest in navigation/the sea/the merchant navy come from? Why did you make this career choice ?

Growing up, I often went to the seaside with my family all over Europe. As a teenager, my father let me drive the motorboat of a family friend in the Canary Islands. It is where I uncovered my love for the sea and my vocation was born. At eighteen, I had to make a career choice and quite naturally turned to the sea and a diversified and stimulating career. After my studies, I could not wait to take to the sea and my motivation and self-development have only strengthened over the years.

3 / What did you study ? What is your academic background?

After 4 years of studies, I obtained a Masters in Nautical Sciences from the Antwerp Maritime Academy in Belgium.

4 / What do you like most about your job?

The combination of teamwork and multiple responsibilities.
This job is very enriching because the different types of ships we deal with always ask for new and various skills.

5 / What do you think of the representation of women in the maritime sector?

Women are still a minority in the merchant navy, which is too bad! Maritime professions should be promoted more actively in schools so that girls can consider the maritime sector as a career path. Not only for studies but also for sailing, going to sea. It would be great if more young women had an idea of the rich experience a maritime life made of travels, stopovers, storms and adventures can offer – an experience that some still think is reserved for men. It is time these careers were more considered by women.

6 / What advice would you give to young women to make them aware of the career options offered by this sector?

You have great possibilities and prospects while sailing, but you need persistence and above all mental strength. Working conditions can be more demanding than on land. I advise you to be yourself on board while maintaining a certain professional distance to begin with – but most of all, observe the relationships existing between the various crew members. The first boardings will be challenging because there is a lot to learn, but over time, the results of these intense periods will bring you great self-confidence. I can assure you that your self-development as a female seafarer will be more intense than for male colleagues.

***

Thank you Elise for this interview!

Interview

Nagasubramani Balakrishnan, Procurement Officer at LDPL Middle East

1/ What has been your career path so far?

After completion of my bachelor’s in Mechanical engineering, I started my career in Logistics and Supply Chain. My passion for Maritime kept growing, for which I moved to Dubai, to start a career in the Maritime Industry. Before starting my career in LDPL, the experience I gained in the other companies helped increase my quality of work in LDPL. My journey in LDPL MIDDLE EAST started in December 2018 as a Procurement Officer. The amount of knowledge I gained in these past 2 years, will help me carve my path towards a better future in LDPL.

2/ Could you tell us more about your current role / your missions?

It began with managing the procurement & logistics of spares for the Dubai and Guinea fleet. As a procurement officer, my major tasks revolve around sourcing of spare parts for the vessel. My main mission would be to abide by the delivering of the right parts, at the right place, and at a right quantity.

3/ What do you like the most about the job?

LDPL has one of the finest working environments I have ever experienced. Coming to work has been a delight, because of the working environment LDPL offers. My colleagues here are a treat to talk and mingle with. The everyday experience is what keeps me attracted to this job.

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

The 2 years I have spent here have turned me into a better person. The qualities that I feel one must certainly have as a Procurement Officer is the ability to work hard, be focused and have great communication skills.

5/ Any anecdote or major fact you would like to share about your job?

Responsiveness. During the pandemic time, planning & shipment of spares was a difficult and challenging task. With the support of my Manager & my team, we were successful in shipping out the items to Dubai & Conakry without any delay.

6/ Are you a land or a sea person?

As much as I enjoy being in office, the sea offers thrills of its own. The small opportunities we get to be on board with other crew members is what I call a total joy ride.

7/ What are your hobbies and interests?

Watching football is one of my favourite ways to pass my leisure time. Apart from that, music and movies keep me entertained.

8/ What is your motto?

The only way to do great work is love what you do.

Interview

Tanvi Desai, Admin and HR Supervisor

1 / Could you tell us more about your career path and your current position?

I started working with LDPL MIDDLE EAST in November 2018 as Polyvalent Executive Assistance. As a newcomer in the Marine and Transshipment industry, I got an opportunity to explore different departments such as Technical, Operations, Purchasing, QHSE, Crewing to understand each department’s job role and importance related to the activities. With learning and experiencing on day to day basis, I strengthen my knowledge, skills, and abilities which were required to move on to my next step and position as Admin and HR Supervisor in July 2020.

2 / What has your career path been like at Louis Dreyfus Armateurs Group / LDPL?

Louis Dreyfus Armateurs Group / LDPL has strong leadership approach. Leaders and managers create strong relationship with employees and always encourage for feedback. This attitude from my leaders always gives me positive energy and to be challenged, constant learning and grow.

3 / What do you like most about your job?

As a part of Human Resource, I enjoy helping Employees and Managers improve the effectiveness of an organization.

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

Integrity, Good listener and Navigate the Organization.

5/ What are your hobbies and interests?

My hobbies are listening to music, drawing animation and I am interested in Sports such as fitness training and traveling.

6/ Are you a land or sea person?

Land while working and sea while on holidays! ????

7/ What is your motto?

If you can dream it, you can make it.

8/ Any anecdote or major fact you would like to share?

Reactivity! During operation we encountered that one of the employees got COVID-19. As work must continue, I had to look for an alternate option as a group of employees had to quarantine till they get their negative PCR test. Immediately I found an alternate option for drivers through our agent to drive bus and car to drop other employees at the site area. Everything was arranged and there was no distraction during the operation. Also, follow-up was done with quarantine employees to ensure that they are well looked after.

******

Thank you very much Tanvi !

Interview

Baptiste Manrot, Captain

1/ What has been your career path so far ?

I grew up in a family who has always been passionate about the sea, but I was the first one to get a job out of it. I started my career right after secondary school. In 1999, I went to a boarding school in La Rochelle to take a two-year course in marine mechanics. In 2001, I obtained an engine specialist certificate and a certificate of vocational proficiency as a third-class engineer officer. I had a summer job as a diesel engineer with engine manufacturer Wärtsilä.

I attended a preparatory class and passed the entrance exam to the Maritime Academy in Saint-Malo in 2003. In 2005, I graduated as a second-class officer in the merchant navy. I went to sea as a student with the Compagnie Maritime Nantaise (MN) and La Surf and became a versatile officer in April 2006.
I embarked for the first few months as a third engineer on the RoRo vessels carrying the Ariane 5 rocket and as a deck lieutenant on a three-masted ship named Belem.

I left the MN to join LOUIS DREYFUS ARMATEURS in 2007 and embarked directly as a third-class engineer officer on the EDOUARD LD until the end of the year. In 2008, my credentials allowed me to take a course for second-class officers to enter the last year of first-class officers’ studies. During this time, I stayed on the EDOUARD LD until the ship was sold in Malaysia. I was then transferred to the bulk carrier JEAN LD in Singapore until September 2008.

In 2009, I obtained my first-class officer’s diploma at the Maritime Academy in Le Havre and started to work on the cable ship LODBROG. I stayed on cable ships until 2012 when I became Chief Mate on the ILE DE SEIN. In late 2017, I joined ASN Marine to work in vessel support, then as an installation engineer, while taking part in tool design for cable operations. In November 2019, having realised I missed the sea, I went back to it as a Master on ILE D’AIX.

2/ Could you tell us more about your current role ?

I am a Master and Operation Manager. I organise operations with my crew while ensuring the monitoring and management of the vessel. This role has been very rewarding on a personal and professional level. I am proud of it and proud to represent the company on board the ship. I like the decision-making aspect of my job but also the human side – I enjoy being close to my team.

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

Being at sea in a fast-changing environment, having the trust of my crew and being able to rely on them too.

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

Sense of responsibility / Organisation skills / Ability to stay calm.

5/ What are your hobbies and interests ?

My family, the sea – even when I am on vacation (I enjoy diving and sailing) and inventing or building things.

6/ Are you a land or sea person ?

Definitely a sea person. I have often considered living on a boat with my family.

7/ What is your motto ?

Learn from others but stay true to yourself.

8/Any anecdote or major fact you would like to share ?

I was lucky – like many others I suppose – to meet and work for a few years with someone with a strong personality: Master Dhainaut. His famous “NOWWW” will go down in history. So will the moment when, during a docking, he said over the radio to the lieutenant who was arguing that the hawser was too soft, “no, it is you who are soft”.
Another memorable event was the fire on ILE DE SEIN. I was Chief Mate and I used a CO² fire extinguisher at Philippe Kervella’s command. It was a sad spectacle to see the ship so damaged.

******

Thank you Captain!

Interview

Série de témoignages « De la terre à la mer »

Jean-Christophe Vaillant, Responsable opérationnel OPENR

1/ Pourrais-tu te présenter et nous résumer ton parcours ?

Jeune, j’avais plutôt une volonté de me tourner vers un métier en relation avec la nature mais mon intérêt pour la technologie m’a dirigé vers la gestion des énergies. Le mixte de ces deux appétences m’a mené vers les énergies renouvelables et plus particulièrement l’éolien ; qui en 1994, n’était pas réellement en France le moyen de production le plus porteur malgré un développement fulgurant à l’international. J’ai intégré la seule formation supérieure ayant un volet d’enseignement sur ce sujet à Bordeaux le DESS Gestion des Énergies Renouvelables. A l’issue de de cette formation, j’ai rejoint le 1er Bureau d’étude français œuvrant pour le développement de la filière éolienne : Espace Eolien Développement.

La technologie a évolué puisque les premières éoliennes sur lesquelles je suis intervenu en Espagne ne faisaient que 30-50 mètres de haut pour une puissance de 200 kW. Loin de la technologie mature d’aujourd’hui avec des éoliennes dépassant les 5000 kW pour des hauteurs de plus de 130-150 mètres de haut. J’ai pu passer de missions de développements et d’analyses des gisements, à responsable de construction et responsable d’exploitation de centrales éoliennes.
La création de la société OPENR avec Jean-Jacques VINAT m’a permis d’avancer plus encore sur les questions d’exploitations et d’inspections des éoliennes avec toujours une volonté d’optimisation de la disponibilité de ce moyen de production qui est devenu l’une des sources d’approvisionnement renouvelable majeur d’électricité dans le réseau français et Mondial.
L’étape suivante étant l’éolien offshore, le rapprochement avec le Groupe Louis Dreyfus Armateurs est apparu rapidement comme une évidence. Il a permis d’ouvrir le champ au développement de nouvelles activités d’OPENR sur ce nouveau marché de production d’électricité à partir d’une ressource renouvelable.

2/ Quel est ton poste actuel ?

Actuellement responsable opérationnel au sein d’OPENR, mon rôle est d’organiser le fonctionnement et le développement des missions réalisées pour nos clients mais aussi de développer de nouvelles activités. Dans une structure de petite taille comme OPENR, ce rôle mixe des fonctions de gestion des relation humaines, de responsable de la Qualité, de la Sécurité et de l’Environnement, de formateur , de responsable Technique sur les sujets de vérifications réglementaires, de responsable des achats et de garant au sein de l’équipe de direction de l’équilibre des budgets dans le cadre d’un développement solide d’OPENR.

3/ Une formation pour passer de la terre à la mer…Pourrais-tu nous raconter brièvement cette nouvelle aventure ?

Une formation pour passer de la terre à la mer ? Issu d’un milieu paysan, ma relation avec l’océan ne s’est résumée qu’aux loisirs sur la côte bretonne avec un attrait important pour la plongée. Mon implication dans le développement de la filière éolienne terrestre en France m’a éloigné de la mer, bien que je sois resté en contact via quelques cartes SHOM utilisées dans différentes études sur lesquelles je suis intervenu pour évaluer le potentiel éolien dans l’espace maritime de la métropole française.
N’étant pas marin de métier, l’apprentissage de quelques rudiments de survie en mer s’avère nécessaire. C’est cependant la seule exigence complémentaire hormis celle qui ne peut pas être apprise qui est de supporter le mal de mer. Mes expériences de plongées sous-marines ou d’interventions sur des bouées de mesures du vent, ajoutées au fait que l’oscillation des éoliennes s’apparente au tangage me permettent de ne pas appréhender ce mal.
La principale conclusion de cette formation est que, comme dans le cadre du travail en hauteur, il ne faut jamais tomber ; lors du travail en milieu marin, il ne faut jamais tomber à l’eau.

4/ Quelles sont les 3 qualités essentielles pour réussir dans ton métier et ton nouveau métier ?

Travailler dans l’éolien nécessite un peu d’engagement politique car ce moyen de production d’électricité est particulièrement soumis à polémique dans notre société française et il faut être prêt à répondre aux questions légitimes qui peuvent être posées en dehors de la sphère professionnelle.
En tant que responsable opérationnel, il n’y a pas vraiment de nouveau métier, c’est plutôt une continuité avec l’ajout d’une perspective supplémentaire. La capacité à fédérer autour d’un projet commun reste l’une des qualités majeures et un défi à réaliser avec l’augmentation des effectifs au sein d’OPENR.
Le corollaire de la qualité précédente est l’aptitude à l’écoute et la prise en compte des implications et inquiétudes de l’équipe que constitue OPENR.

La difficulté étant la distanciation déjà présente dans notre activité avec une dispersion des équipes sur le territoire. L’augmentation des effectifs et amplifiée dernièrement par la période de crise sanitaire.

5/ Qu’apprécies-tu plus particulièrement dans ton métier ?

L’implication dans la filière éolienne est un choix assumé qui a une tendance à déborder sur ma vie privée. Je ne dirais pas que c’est un sacerdoce, mais se réaliser dans cette filière et ce métier avec le sentiment d’agir pour la planète apporte une certaine fierté. Au sein d’OPENR de nombreuses opportunités s’ouvrent et la synergie avec LDA permet d’envisager encore plus de projets en accord avec mes convictions. Ce métier permet donc d’être pleinement acteur dans le changement en cours de notre société.

6/ Une anecdote ? Un fait marquant à propos de ton métier et de son évolution ?

C’est lorsque j’ai pris la décision de me former dans l’éolien, alors qu’il était plus facile de trouver une formation sur la physique nucléaire ; il a encore été plus difficile de trouver une société intervenant dans l’éolien, elles se comptaient à l’époque sur les doigts d’une main. Quel chemin parcouru en 20 ans !

7/ La mer ou la terre ?

L’énergie renouvelable et éolienne avant tout où qu’elle soit.

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Merci Jean-Christophe pour ce témoignage très inspirant !

Interview

Christophe Cancel, Draughtsman – Design Office

1/ Could you summarize your career and tell us about your current position?

Despite a two-year degree in mechanical engineering and production in 2013 in Ville d’Avray (France), I felt unconfident and not mature enough to follow this way.
I had multiple jobs and some of them have touched me. I was indeed a door-to-door salesman of ENI gas contracts. I lived so many situations, I have met so many people in so many places and all allowed me to grow, to be humble, to be determined and self-confident despite the insecurity of this job as I earned what I sold. I have then spent 6 months in Corsica working in the fields of the family farm that was run by my cousin. This experience was unforgettable: I discovered my family from a different look, my cousin leading a company in an exceptional place.

I then felt more determined and ambitious when I returned to Paris. My technical diploma (DUT) led to various job opportunities (machine operator, draughtsman, engineering school, quality technician, maintenance…). I’ve always wanted a technical job. When I was a child, I was already passionate about aeronautics. This explains a first experience for a subcontractor of THALES which specialized in the production of aeronautical components. However, that was not a job for me.

I really wanted to join a design office, so I looked up about a new AFPA training and after one year as a senior mechanical design technician, I signed a fixed term contract at ENERTIME where I carried out my end-of-year internship. This company designs and develops turbomachines and ORCs in the renewable energy sector, and I had to design various ORC projects for French waste disposal sites. This was followed by a job in nuclear research at SPG for precision engineering mechanics before joining the design office of LOUIS DREYFUS ARMATEURS as a draughtsman.
I am in charge of designing the drawings of mechanical systems.

2/ What do you particularly like about your job?

I mainly appreciate the development of unique tailor-made mechanical systems. Analysis of the needs, wishes, constraints and specifications. We must successfully “transfer” our ideas into the design software, go through the design phase and then prepare the whole system leading to the production. It’s a real pleasure to work in the maritime sector from both the technical and human points of view. And we can also decide how we work as the design office has just been created one year ago. This feeling of independence means a great responsibility in making choices: all the contact persons must be satisfied and must trust us. There are many exciting challenges for all of us!

3/ What are the 3 essential qualities in your job?

I would say curiosity, flexibility, and rigor. Curiosity makes us to question and to find the best solutions to meet the customer’s needs. Flexibility is necessary for any projects that could lead the clients to change sometimes their minds. Finally, I must be rigorous because if my plans are not accurate or are incomplete, the manufacturers will not be able to design the expected parts.

4/ Do you have any significant fact or anecdote to share about your job?

One of my first missions at LDA was to design a 3D model of the new ship ILE D’OUESSANT. I was very proud when I discovered the pictures on the website and then the 3D animation video. And my father who has been modeling ships since I was a child really liked the video!

5/ Land or sea?

Land, definitely! To be honest, even though I get my sea legs and I love water sports such as sailing and catamaran, I much prefer contacts and living new adventures from the mainland! By the way, I would go around the world… on foot!

6/ Your next trip?

My next trip would be Peru. I really like South America for its beautiful landscapes and quite spectacular regions. Life is still quite wild in some places, flora and fauna are rich and there are beautiful high-altitude landscapes. I am very attracted by these very different civilizations and cultures.

7/ Your motto?

“Live in the present moment.” I do care about living in the present moment with a lack of concern. It allows me to fully appreciate the value of people and things…

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Thank you Christophe for this inspiring interview!

The Louis Dreyfus Armateurs Group joins the Cluster Maritime Français (CMF) and the Association Elles Bougent  to celebrate women on the occasion of this World Ocean Day 2020 and through the operation “Les ELLES de l’Océan“.

This special operation aims to promote the place of women in the maritime sector and to make young women aware of career opportunities related to the sea.

Discover now the interview by our seafarer colleague Elise Vandermeersch.

Interview

1 / Could you introduce yourself?

My name is Elise Vandermeersch and I am a Lieutenant / DPO at Louis Dreyfus Armateurs.

2 / Where does your interest in navigation/the sea/the merchant navy come from? Why did you make this career choice ?

Growing up, I often went to the seaside with my family all over Europe. As a teenager, my father let me drive the motorboat of a family friend in the Canary Islands. It is where I uncovered my love for the sea and my vocation was born. At eighteen, I had to make a career choice and quite naturally turned to the sea and a diversified and stimulating career. After my studies, I could not wait to take to the sea and my motivation and self-development have only strengthened over the years.

3 / What did you study ? What is your academic background?

After 4 years of studies, I obtained a Masters in Nautical Sciences from the Antwerp Maritime Academy in Belgium.

4 / What do you like most about your job?

The combination of teamwork and multiple responsibilities.
This job is very enriching because the different types of ships we deal with always ask for new and various skills.

5 / What do you think of the representation of women in the maritime sector?

Women are still a minority in the merchant navy, which is too bad! Maritime professions should be promoted more actively in schools so that girls can consider the maritime sector as a career path. Not only for studies but also for sailing, going to sea. It would be great if more young women had an idea of the rich experience a maritime life made of travels, stopovers, storms and adventures can offer – an experience that some still think is reserved for men. It is time these careers were more considered by women.

6 / What advice would you give to young women to make them aware of the career options offered by this sector?

You have great possibilities and prospects while sailing, but you need persistence and above all mental strength. Working conditions can be more demanding than on land. I advise you to be yourself on board while maintaining a certain professional distance to begin with – but most of all, observe the relationships existing between the various crew members. The first boardings will be challenging because there is a lot to learn, but over time, the results of these intense periods will bring you great self-confidence. I can assure you that your self-development as a female seafarer will be more intense than for male colleagues.

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Thank you Elise for this interview!