CROSSWORLD MARINE SERVICES
CREW WELFARE, CHARITY WORK AND CONTINUOUS DEVELOPMENT Powered by Inside Marine
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CROSSWORLD MARINE SERVICES
I PROFILE
Crossworld Marine Services is a first-class provider of reliable crew and ship management. With a special anniversary approaching, Captain Levy Capayas, President of Crossworld, reflected over the past two decades and gave insight into where the company is headed next. Report by Imogen Ward.
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W
ith a stellar reputation for award-
that has helped us gain a significant
winning crew management,
market lead.”
Crossworld Marine Services is
With roots dating back to the 1980s,
well-established in Asia, Europe and the
Crossworld, as is it is known today,
Middle East. Manila, Philippines, has been
manages a fleet of more than 380 vessels.
home to the company’s main recruitment
Onboard those ships are highly qualified
and operations centre since it was first
crews drawn from 5,800 seafarers, who
established in 2004. Now, with its 20th
ensure the ships are maintained and run
anniversary around the corner, Crossworld
smoothly. From bulk carriers to oil tankers
is geared to continue its journey of
Crossworld provides a fully comprehen-
improvement and progression.
sive service based upon three main
“Next year marks 20 years since we brought Crossworld to Manila,” Captain
focuses: principle, seafarers and families, and Crossworld human resources.
Levy Capayas, President of Crossworld, said. “The company developed from
Overcoming challenges
Captain Leonidas Varias’ background in
As an experienced crew management
crew management: since then, we have
company, Crossworld understands what
expanded into other markets including
it takes to create the perfect environment
Ukraine and Indonesia. We also have
for successful crew operation.
offices in Limassol, Cyprus, and Dubai,
“First and foremost, to provide excep-
UAE, which are hotbeds for shipping,
tional services a company needs to have
commercial and financial opportunities.
an understanding of the industry’s needs
“At Crossworld, we are constantly improving, and it’s a continuous effort
and be incredibly responsive to those needs,” said Captain Capayas. “The industry
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CROSSWORLD MARINE SERVICES
I PROFILE
The three key focuses: • The principal focus ensures a top quality and tailor-made service, including regular crew updates and solid IT support. • The seafarers and families element encourages development and wellbeing in seafarers and their significant others. • The human resources focus incorporates training
dynamics are constantly shifting as both
pany is also partnered with several
company and crew mindsets adjust, and
training centres, including UMTC,
we can continuously and quickly adapt to
Philcamsat, Gigamare and Idess.
these changes to provide the high-quality service that our clients require. “On top of that, we also go beyond crewing
“Our corporation model is targeted towards solving industry challenges, and we already had the resources in place to
to provide valuable consultancy recom-
make a difference,” Captain Capayas said.
mendations for technical operations and
“We have been working with several top
handling to allow optimal ship performance.”
academies, including the Philippine
One challenge that the company has had
Merchant Marine Academy, to help solve
to adapt to was amplified by the recent
the issue of crew shortages by developing
pandemic. According to Captain Capayas,
a sustainable pipeline of crew for our clients’
the industry has witnessed an increasing
pools. We have also recently opened
shortage of qualified crew members. As a
programmes for several special positions,
crew operator, Crossworld felt it was in the
including Electro-Technical Officers, and
perfect position to help solve this problem
currently we train around 200 cadets
utilising its own corporation model and
annually in an attempt to close the gaps.
resources to do so.
“These programmes have not only helped
From its in-house accredited training
bridge the seafarer need gap but have also
facility, the company has been providing
generated substantial monetary savings
continuous training and development for
for clients. We have also utilised them to
its crews, including Port State Control
offer early development and qualifications
Training, Cyber Security Awareness and Safety Officer Training. The com-
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for crews, in response to the evolving requirements of the industry.”
With a strong commitment to the health
mental wellbeing. The group also offers the
and safety of its crews, the company
wives of seafarers an excellent opportunity
also has a HSQE plan in place. Through
to meet people who are in a similar situa-
this, it endeavours to provide a safe
tion, actively creating a supportive network.
and healthy workplace environment
“We know for a fact that when sea-
for everyone involved.
farers are out at sea, they think about their families a lot,” Captain Capayas said:
Supporting a community
“so, we wanted to make sure that once
For Crossworld, this is more than just a
they are onboard, they don’t have to worry
business. The company fully appreciates
so much about who’s going to take care
that crewing means long-periods away
of those at home. We run activities for
from home, which affects both the crew
the families, and really strive to create
members and their families. To try and ease
an environment where everyone feels
the difficulties of the separation period,
a part of the same unit.”
Crossworld provides support for those at
Having ensured the wellbeing of crew
home. The company has set up a club for
and family members, the company also
the wives of seafarers. At the most recent
plans to implement crucial schemes for
Seafarers Day, club members were taken
the support of its office staff as well. This
on a spa day to encourage relaxation and
includes hot-desking (which will also have
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CROSSWORLD MARINE SERVICES
I PROFILE
a positive impact on carbon emissions reduction) and provisions for healthy meals; providing more choice that not only tastes good, but does good too.
Laying firm foundations As an extension of this, in 2015, the company also established its own charity foundation from a desire to help those in need. The foundation consists of three divisions: Hopecross, that supports children with cancer; Helpcross, that aids those affected by natural disaster and, finally, Achievecross, that assists students from
Captain Levy Capayas, President of Crossworld
poor economic backgrounds. Some of the amazing work accomplished by the foundation includes offering schol-
the local community,” Captain Capayas
arships to university students, donating
said. “Through our foundation, we are
school equipment and clothing to students,
currently supporting between 20 and
and raising money for hospitals.
30 orphans, providing them with school
“Whenever there’s an opportunity to do so, we get out of the office and support
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materials, tuition fees and everything they need to really thrive.”
Going forward, the company intends
part of this, we are implementing
to continue its work within the wider com-
a major digitalisation of the company
munity, whilst also maintaining its status
from the fourth quarter of 2023.
as a leading crew operator.
“I have no doubt that we can achieve
“We want to remain at the top of the
this, with such a supportive manage-
crewing industry, with a focus on quality
ment backing us. Their encouragement
over expansion,” said Captain Capayas.
shines through everyone that works
“We will continue to provide and manage
here as well. The team is full of hard-
solid and sustainable crew pools for our
working and happy individuals whose
clients. Just as vessels and corporations
smiles never seem to waver,” Captain
are viewed as one, we feel it is important
Capayas concluded. “Ultimately, man-
that we are seen as both a crewing partner
agement and colleagues here at
and a shipping partner. Our quest for
Crossworld are all working together
quality incorporates us being a top-quality
towards one common goal, and that is
ship operations partner as well – even if
to serve our clients, our seafarers and
our scope is crew management. As
their families.”
n
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