The Ship Management Sector
Ship management is the business of manning, equipping, provisioning and maintaining a ship. It covers the commercial, technical and crew management as well as administration of a ship:
i.. Commercial management: The ship manager is in charge of securing the vessel’s income by seeking and negotiating employment of the ship, and managing its various operating and voyage costs.
ii. Technical management: This involves the organising and managing of a ship’s operations and functions, including the maintenance of the vessel in class and in seaworthy condition, and the supervision of procurement for all parts needed for the ship.
iii. Crew management: The recruitment, training and retention of all crew on board to ensure safe manning of the vessel is also one of the ship manager’s obligations.
iv. Administration: The administration responsibilities of a ship manager include taking care of budgeting, legal and taxation matters to ensure that a ship is able to set sail. The marketing and advertising of a ship is also included in this category.

The billions of dollars involved in the shipping industry makes the ship management function crucial to the overall business.

A major consideration in ship management is to balance concerns such as the safety of the crew and cargo, and environment protection while keeping the operational costs at a minimum.

Today, many companies have chosen to base their ship management offices in Singapore and have charged these offices with managing their worldwide fleet. Of which, many are among the largest shipping companies in the world.

Useful links:
- Singapore Shipping Association www.ssa.org.sg
- For a list of Ship Management companies in Singapore, please see: http://www.singaporemaritimeportal.com/smp/jsp/SMP_secCoList.jsp?sec_c=11&group_c=1