Sembcorp
Marine is
a leading marine
and offshore
engineering
group specialising
in a full spectrum
of integrated
solutions in
ship repair,
shipbuilding,
ship conversion,
rig building
and offshore
engineering
& construction.
Offering one of the largest marine and offshore engineering facilities in Asia, Sembcorp Marine’s operations span the strategic hubs of Singapore, China, Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia and USA. Its yards in Singapore are Jurong Shipyard, Sembawang Shipyard, PPL Shipyard, Jurong SML and SMOE Pte Ltd.
Sembcorp Marine
is committed
to fulfilling
the needs and
aspirations
of its employees
by giving them
opportunities
to learn and
excel to their
fullest potential.
Scholarships
are frequently
awarded by the
Group to groom
talented individuals
for promising
careers within
its yards.
We find out from two Sembcorp Marine scholars, Kelvin Kang and Ang Joo Hock, their thoughts about being part of the Group's marine and offshore engineering operations.
Kelvin
Kang, 25
years old, is an Assistant
Project
Manager at Jurong
Shipyard, a subsidiary
of Sembcorp Marine.
Kelvin joined Jurong
Shipyard in July 2007
as a Project
Engineer and was
promoted to Assistant
Project
Manager in July
2008.
Sembcorp Marine also
sponsored Kelvin to
pursue his studies
for a Bachelor of
Science in Marine
Engineering & Naval
Architecture
at University of Michigan
(2006), and a Masters
of Science in Marine
Engineering & Naval
Architecture, also
at University of Michigan
(2007).
Kelvin, why did you choose to take up a scholarship with Sembcorp Marine? Sembcorp
Marine is an established
industry player and
the marine industry
is an exciting and challenging
sector with lots of
potential as well as
opportunities for learning
and growth.
I
did my bachelors and
masters in naval architecture
and marine
engineering at the
University of Michigan
(Ann Arbor) under a
Sembcorp Marine scholarship.
During my studies abroad,
I had the
opportunity to be immersed in different cultures. At the yard, I went through the SIC SRM (Safety Instruction Course for Ship Repair Managers) course to be grounded in managing the safety aspects of a project.
What attracted you to join the marine and offshore industry? I enjoy engineering and have always been fascinated with the way things work. In the marine and offshore industry, you work with mega-machines and structures. The rigs, jack-ups, and Floating Production Storage and Offloading(FPSO) , are engineering marvels and I knew it would be extremely challenging and rewarding to work in such an industry.
What are some of your key job roles? I manage various aspects of a project such as organizing, mobilizing, and supervising manpower and resources and overseeing the day-to-day production onboard.
Sometimes I have to chair the VSCC (Vessel Safety Co-ordination Committee) meetings which can involve up to 30 people, comprising customers and colleagues from different departments.
I
make decisions
and resolve
issues that
may arise from
differing elements
of the various
disciplines,
i.e. machinery,
painting, piping,
outfitting,
structure and
Quality
Assurance/ Control.
What is a typical day at work like? There
are new challenges everyday.
Activities in a work
day involve managing
outstanding issues and
production status of
critical areas; going
onboard the vessel or
rig to personally check
the production status;
attending a safety
meeting; reviewing and
tracking the progress
of the project. You
need to think fast on
your feet and respond
quickly.
What are the challenges in your job? Coordinating and motivating multiple disciplines, different people, different engineers - all from different backgrounds, cultures, interests - to work towards a common goal, these are the challenges on the job. To get the job done well, it is important to be approachable, and honest about your needs and expectations.
What are some memorable projects that you have been involved in?
Our team recently completed a semi-submersible ultra-deepwater drilling rig. This rig, the second unit of a series of 10 high-performance 6th generation semi-submersible rigs, was built using a very innovative and revolutionary technique developed by Jurong Shipyard, known as the “Load-out & Mating-in-dock” & “Transverse Skidding” method that enables multiple rigs to be simultaneously constructed and sequentially assembled in close succession.
What gives you job satisfaction?
The results are very tangible. When you see a steel structure being erected, or a major piece of equipment being installed, it is physically there, so it is immediately rewarding and visible for all to see.
What’s the work culture like at Sembcorp Marine?
At my workplace, there is a good amount of liberty to exercise one’s creativity. While there are fixed ways of doing things, people are always open to suggestions towards better ways of executing a job. You are allowed to innovate ways to improve the production process.
In your opinion, what are the traits of a successful professional in this industry? What skillsets do you need?
Important traits are adaptability, a willingness to learn, innovativeness, ability to think out of the box and find unique solutions to complex problems. Good observational skills and attention to detail are also vital. It is also important to be humble as there are many experienced men in the yard who have been working there for more than 30 years.
Ang
Joo Hock,
31 years old, is a Deputy
Production
Manager at Sembawang
Shipyard, a subsidiary
of Sembcorp Marine.
Joo Hock joined Sembawang Shipyard in 2001, under a Sembcorp Marine scholarship for his Diploma in Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, and was further sponsored for his Bachelor of Engineering (Honors) in Naval Architecture, at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK. Joo Hock is also currently sponsored by Sembcorp Marine to pursue a Masters in Management of Technology at the National University of Singapore.
Joo Hock, what inspired you to join Sembawang Shipyard?
I have always
been interested
in and fascinated
by engineering.
Ships, rigs
and offshore
platforms are
like floating
factories with
specialized
functions. It
is also a place
where people
work and live
in.
What’s it like working at Sembcorp Marine?
I was given many opportunities to learn through work rotation and gained many valuable experiences during the course of my work. When I first joined Sembawang Shipyard after graduating from polytechnic in 2001, I was assigned to the hull department as an Assistant Engineer handling the planning and coordination of
steelwork
repair activities
with our workmen,
contractors, surveyors
and project
managers.
During this period,
I was attached
to an experienced
mentor and I gained
a good understanding
of the steelwork
trade, work methodology,
and coordination
with various parties.
In 2002, I was very fortunate to be granted a sponsorship by Sembcorp Marine to pursue a 1-year Advanced Diploma in Ngee Ann Polytechnic, progressing to a final-year Bachelor of Naval Architecture degree course at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, UK.
Following my
graduation in
2004, I rejoined
the yard as
a Project
Engineer.
I was assigned
to the Project
Management Department
for 3 years
where I managed
various Liquefied
Natural Gas
(LNG) repairs
and Floating
Production Storage
and Offloading
(FPSO) conversion
projects.
I was first attached to the project manager to learn the basics and gain sufficient experience before leading my own project. In project management, our main responsibility is to lead the entire project by managing all aspects including cost, schedule, production and safety. This requires plenty of coordination with various departments, owners and contractors.
After three years in project management, I was posted back to the Hull department as an Assistant Production Manager and promoted a year later to Deputy Production Manager. As a Deputy Production Manager, my responsibilities include overseeing the department’s steelwork operations in the workshops and onboard as well as the entire yard’s steel fabrication. I was able to apply what I have learnt in project management to the Steel Production department after understanding the entire operation flow and the ‘big picture’.
What is your current job like?
My main responsibility as Deputy Production Manager involves overseeing the structure fabrication work for repairs, conversions and newbuilds, and to ensure that the structures meet high quality and safety standards before installation & assembly. Other than supervising daily workshop operations, I am also involved in the development and expansion of the yard’s production facilities as well as continuous improvement to our work processes to achieve better productivity.
What do you enjoy best about your job?
My job is interesting and challenging because every day is exciting and varied. Being able to effect positive changes to the work processes to continuously improve standards of quality, safety and reliability in our working environment is another aspect I particularly enjoy.
I also enjoy the teamwork involved in the yard, with everyone working together towards the common goal of achieving customers’ unique requirements and delivering the project on time and on target.
Several interesting projects I’ve worked on are managing the conversion of the FPSO Yùum K’ak’náab - the FPSO with the largest oil throughput, and Sapura 3000, a newbuild heavylift pipelaying vessel.
What
advice do you have for
people who wish to join
the marine and offshore
industry?
There
are many opportunities
in the marine
and offshore industry
to advance your career,
both in the technical
and non-technical areas.
It is important to have
a positive attitude,
be proactive and keen
to learn. Stay focused,
pursue your dreams and
your hard work will
be recognized and rewarded.
