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The responsibility of creating

a welcoming environment

for the young generation

lies with us

In this exclusive interview with Naftika Chronika,
the CEO of V.Group highlights the industry’s role
in attracting new talent, advises the young generation
on how to build meaningful maritime careers, and offers
his insights on the challenges and opportunities facing
global shipping today, from decarbonisation
and regulatory uncertainty, to the integration
of alternative fuels.

An interview with René Kofod-Olsen, How do you view the current job market excessive time on their phones. Striking
CEO of V.Group, for seafarers, and what are the the right balance between connectivity
by Spilios Varelas main challenges and opportunities and onboard social interaction is key, and
they face in today’s maritime I am positive we can achieve it.
industry? What initiatives are you We should also keep in mind that, until
undertaking to improve crew very recently, there was minimal satellite
welfare and retention in this highly coverage over the world’s oceans. Now,
competitive environment? with Starlink and other emerging satellite
Looking back on the recent past, seafarers technologies, we have achieved greater
used to sign their contracts and be sent connectivity – and within a few years,
out to sea. If, during that time, any we may even achieve full global
changes occurred within their household, connectivity. V.Group is adapting
they would find out about them after by installing as much equipment
returning home. Nowadays, with the as possible and offering optimal training
available technology, home can be with for our seafarers.
them on board the ship. This is a great Regarding the young people within
development – who doesn’t want to stay the organisation, we offer cadet pro-
connected with their loved ones? How- grammes for our seafarers and grad-
ever, the limitations of being in the middle uate programmes for our shore-based
of the sea remain, as seafarers can’t do personnel, both of whom are extremely
much physically beyond maintaining a important to us. The balance we have
virtual connection. While this can be a managed to create between younger
good thing, in most cases, it is also quite people and more experienced profes-
stressful. sionals, as well as between men and
At V.Group, we are committed to finding women within our organisation, has
ways to help seafarers and their families. created a phenomenal working envi-
We would not be able to attract any young ronment. Many young people express
seafarers, men or women, if we didn’t offer interest in joining the industry, and
connectivity onboard our ships. The ship’s the responsibility of creating a welcom-
configuration also plays a pivotal role in ing environment that offers a variety of
the way seafarers interact with each opportunities lies with us. Our group
other. It’s essential to foster engagement is open to working with young people
among crew members and discourage from across the globe, and we feel for-
them from staying inside their cabins for tunate that so many are enthusiastic
too long, where they would simply spend about working with us. Ultimately, we

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