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Assembling The Maritime Picture Through Internships

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MaritimeONE scholar Christal Zhuang’s interest in the maritime industry was ignited when she undertook a Maritime Business diploma at Singapore Polytechnic. Yearning to develop a stronger grasp of the industry, she is now furthering her education in Maritime Studies with the Nanyang Technological University. Having completed a few internships, she speaks on how they have deepened her understanding of maritime, especially in her role as a ship operations intern with “K” Line Pte Ltd.
What was your role in the “K” Line?
I was attached to “K” Line’s bulk division for 10 weeks. This allowed me to take on the role of a ship operator where I had the opportunity to control and monitor vessel operations. Through my internship, I witnessed the different charters and how operations work.
Prior to my stint with ‘K’ Line, I had completed another maritime related internship back in polytechnic. In that role, I had to ensure that vessels were on schedule and travelling on the right route. This is important because delays in schedule will incur heavy costs.
Christal’s past travels
What were some of the difficulties you faced and how did you overcome them?
Communicating effectively was a struggle as I had to work with the different functions of ship management. Some of these stakeholders are based overseas and there were times when I needed a speedy response but experienced delays due to time zone differences. As a link bridge between charterers and shipowners, I had to fully understand their intent to deliver a clear message.
I am fortunate to have an extremely helpful mentor to guide me through this journey. For example, my mentor suggested using Teams to overcome the communication barrier that I faced. Despite the remote working arrangement, he would frequently set up zoom calls to teach me how to use various softwares that I struggled with. I also had a supportive team that I could contact when my mentor was busy.
What are some of the key learning points of your internship?
I really loved how I could experience ship operating in a real-life setting. Having taken ship chartering modules in school, the internship helped to paint a bigger picture of the industry and how the various functions are intertwined.
Christal enjoys crafting in her free time
Has your internship experience broadened your perspective of maritime?
Definitely. I was able to apply theory into practice and added to my knowledge of maritime. In schools, the curriculum is often focused on theoretical knowledge and hypothetical situations. I was able to learn a lot of what happens at the backend only through my internship. The internship also solidified my desire to build a career in ship operating.
What other areas of maritime are you keen on exploring?
Having experienced what ship operations is like, I am interested in exploring roles in other areas such as maritime law and insurance.
Past works created by Christal
Do you think that internships provide undergraduates with a competitive advantage?
I believe that internships are a great learning experience as they give you a sneak peak of the working world and strengthen your career prospects. There is always something that one can take away from internships and you will have the opportunity to meet a diverse range of people. In a collegial industry such as maritime, the relationships forged are extremely precious.
We are always dealing with change in maritime. As my professors like to say, adaptation is key to thriving in this industry. It is important for undergraduates to adopt a positive mindset and be adaptable to different corporate cultures when interning.
Indeed, as Christal says, maritime is undergoing rapid transformation ranging from digitalisation to decarbonisation. There are plenty of opportunities in this dynamic industry and you can experience roles that span across functions such as ship operating to financial management.
Ready to explore the seas of maritime? Apply for the MaritimeONE internships here: https://www.maritimesgconnect.com/

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Mr. Kastrup complemented his tertiary education with leadership and management training at Penn State University and The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Ms. Angeline Teo

MANAGING DIRECTOR & HEAD, GLOBAL TRANSPORTATION & OFFSHORE, OCBC BANK

Ms. Angeline Teo is the Managing Director and Head of Global Transportation and Offshore, Global Corporate Banking at OCBC Bank which focuses on the maritime, aviation, land & port ecosystems.
Ms. Teo has spent over three decades in maritime finance. Prior to OCBC, Ms. Teo was working at ING Bank, ABN Amro and DnB in Singapore focusing on maritime and offshore.
Ms. Teo graduated from the National University of Singapore with a degree in Business Administration.

Mr. John Martin

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, GARD SINGAPORE

Mr. John Martin began his career in London in 1989 with Richards Hogg Lindley Average Adjusters, and qualified as a Fellow of the UK Association of Average Adjusters in 2000.
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Mr. Cyril Ducau

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