When a chemical tanker cargo ship that was on the way from Gulf to China stopped over Singapore in May 2022 for bunkering, the ship’s management team approached Viknessh seeking his help. Few weeks ago, the ship’s team told Viknessh that a ship of theirs was facing heavy vibration for which they tried to rectify through various companies. While some firms couldn’t even identify what was the issue, some firms couldn’t resolve it.
Viknessh's team went onboard the ship with experts then and the succeeding month when the same ship returned to Singapore for bunkering again on the way from Indonesia to Turkey. When they carried out the vibration analysis with the Structural analysis, Finite element analysis, they identified the issue and rectified with structural modifications, additional structural reinforcement, and successfully helped to mitigate the vibration onboard.
The ship management team was overwhelmingly grateful and appreciated Viknessh and his team PACMAK DB Naval Charterers & Consultants. It was one of the dreams come true moment for Viknessh since just one year ago, it is with such intention to solve the unresolvable, he started his PACMAK DB company without any supportive background, keeping trust solely on his own career experience and the love of his family and friends.
Before starting this company in October 2021 as a fresh new young entrepreneur, all he had was a graduation in this marine field and nothing else but intense experiences, which he trusts and values much. Born to parents Lakshmi (primary education) – Sivagnanam (O level), his elder brother Dinesh Kumar, 33 is the first of their family to step into a college.
Though his brother chose hospitality field, hearing from some of his collegemates, he was the one who inspired Viknessh to join the graduation in marine field. Not only a sincere brother, sincere son, a sincere student too, got his Engineering graduation in Naval architecture and offshore engineering at AMET University – Chennai in 2012 as one of the 20 University toppers. That gave him immediate placement.
“Only after placement I stepped into a ship in my life. It was when I got my first employment, that I took a flight for the first time, went to China and employed 40 days in my first ship for docking. Whatever the name given to that ship, the name I called it, was Mother. From then as a senior Naval Architect, I have personally gone aboard on over 250 ships across 53 countries regarding technical services and design services working together with various global clients in these 10 years.
Ships always have various names painted brilliantly on them. But to me all the ships always paint only one name 'Mother'. And the seas whether it is Indian ocean or Pacific or Arabian or whatever name, the name of any sea for me is 'Father'. As parents, they keep nourishing while we try our best to take care of them", says Viknessh, 31. Starting from China’s offshores, he got well placed and set right from Singapore.
“Singapore is the world’s best, most honest and that is why, the busiest port where bunkering (fuel fill up) or crew change or anything is taken care of meticulously. So, I felt blessed to set foot my career on the shores of Singapore which nourished my honesty, modesty, and well, my career and passion. Singapore filled my career with life and filled my life with my love, my wife", Viknessh’s ever smiling face glows brighter.
Meanwhile, as a naval architect employee in those 10 years, he identified lots of gaps in the maritime industry with regards to clients’ requirements and maritime service providing companies' deliverables. Clients had to accept the deliverables given by the company engaged. Since many companies in the field may have been specialised in certain services and the clients had to compromise dissatisfied. Hence, he felt that it is important to fulfil what exactly the client is asking for while pre-empting other needs of the client and meeting them accordingly.
Not only there are gaps in meeting clients' needs, there are gaps in companies meeting the needs of employees in terms of pay, leave, projects assigned, and more; where he experienced these as an employee himself. While he himself was going through all these challenges in his career over the seas persistently, his girlfriend was going through all such long-distance relationships challenges.
“Even in the little time, we get to meet, he would keep answering calls from office or clients continuously beside me in a park or outside a temple. The clients and even the company he used to work for always look for Viknessh, to identify, resolve issues and also explain and talk to clients.
I sometimes stare at Viknessh since his company had been stealing my time being with him! However, he knows how to pacify me too", smiles his three years girlfriend, now wife, Asha. His wife explained how Viknessh had been initiating new techniques and technologies for existing services, extending new services, expanding the limit of services for clients, generating revenues unconditionally while expecting nothing for himself but for the company’s good.
Not only his tremendous efforts were going unrecognizable, but he had been forced to compromise with so much of resistances and restrictions around as how any vibrant employee in any field will go through normally, she added. “Then why should you be an employee still Why shouldn’t you start one yourself to give all the best for either side as you strive for”.
These were my questions to him. “He was hesitant. But I wasn't. Because, he doesn’t get the opportunity to closely watch how he intends, talks and deals his projects, but I got that opportunity throughout, as I said. So, there was no hesitation for me, I always realize, with such a vision and mission, how fortunate would be any client as well as any employee to get Viknessh as their service provider and employer relatively.
“I have never heard about someone in his field at his age within just 10 years who worked personally onboard on literally over 250 ships. With his level of confidence, dedication and service mindedness, not only me, but his clients also started influencing Viknessh to start his own company to provide the best service they need since he himself is well versed and versatile in this field", said his wife. Sowing a seed with such questions can be easy, but nourishing it, needs support from the sun, the sky, rain, earth and air.
Of course, more than payments, the good will he earned globally, and his extended parental family of ships and stretched out inviting with supporting hands. "Never Overpromise and Underdeliver, but rather Underpromise and Overdeliver. With this principle he started building PACMAK DB Na¬val Charterers & Consultants empire embracing all the clients of ships over the seas and offshore.
PACMAK DB is the cheerful engineering service provider for ships and much more in marine terrain. With extensive experience, we provide the best service in Ship Design, Ship Inspection, Retrofit Engineering Design, and 3D scanning and tailor-made condition monitoring program for the vessels of our clients. We also have extensive expertise in Ship Chartering, Ship Sales & Purchase and Ships Commercial Management", said Viknessh.
How was pacmak db profile developed?
Viknessh with all his exposure and experience onboard on about 250 ships in his career, has carefully included the best services to provide. With his technical background and experience, he felt that it would be best to include the services in which he has worked in the field to assure the quality of deliverables given to a client. Therefore, all the services listed in PACMAK DB has been worked on first-hand by Viknessh himself, which is unique for PACMAK DB.
How has pacmak db chosen the locations to expand?
Marinated in the marine industry for the past decade, Viknessh knew that it was important for maritime companies to have a global presence as the marine industry itself is global and never sleeps. When considering which locations to expand in, he observed the heartbeat of the maritime trade and the pulse of services needed by clients in various locations. Upon deep learning and observation, he observed that the pulses of the maritime trade are stronger in these locations: Singapore, Malaysia and India, Greece, Germany and Netherlands, Colombia, and the United States of America. PACMAK DB is currently located in Singapore (HQ) with branch offices in key maritime countries such as India (Chennai), USA (Houston), Colombia (Cartagena) and Greece (Athens) and expanding across other maritime key countries too.
Bharat, PACMAK DB’s business development manager of the Americas says “In my 13 years of experience, I have observed that many maritime firms tend to have presence in Asia, Europe and the US, which seems to be the typical. I feel that PACMAK DB has set itself apart by deciding to have their presence in South America, which many companies do not dare to explore. By having our presence in South America, it puts us in a better position to serve our clients’ vessels when they call in the ports of South America. We also have worked on numerous government projects in South America due to our presence. Hence, PACMAK DB is being received and rewarded well widely here for having its presence in South America".
Tell us about your expertise
PACMAK D B N aval C harterers & Consultants provides a seamless, cost-effective level of service to our clients all around the globe. With an extensive experience in Naval Architectural and Marine Engineering services, it has made PACMAK DB the natural choice for a wide spectrum of maritime solutions across the globe, feels the team. Although established as consultants, handling maritime services, their focus in providing a comprehensive array of technical services to commercial and government has set them apart than the rest, they believe. Some of their flagship offerings are their condition monitoring program, dry docking services and preparing bulk carriers for carrying containers.
They put together their expertise in ship design and marine engineering services to pave and offer their clients the benefits of massive cost savings potential in new buildings and conversions, they added. “Our expertise is the complexity and comprehensiveness of the solution we offer. We aim to make the solution unique in its ability to combine technical and design management expertise, to render services bespoke to each project.
From the day a client first engages us with the project to the day their project comes to fruition - we are there every step of the way, providing solutions and advice. These will carry the full weight of in-depth technical, procurement and construction understanding to arrive at integrated solutions that successfully the project against the typical problems during all stages of the project", said Jothieswaran Subramaniam, PACMAK DB’s Design Department Head. He is currently located in India who has an educational background in Naval Architecture & Offshore engineering and a wealth of experience in BWTS retrofit, Ship Basic and detailed design.
How do you leverage technology in your offerings?
“We provide tailor made service for our client which is Condition Monitoring Program (CMP) which will help our clients to manage their asset. In CMP, we take care of the Ship structural integrity, coating integrity, outfitting items under the Condition assessment survey. We do Vibrational analysis surveys of various pumps/motors which will provide them regular monitoring of the condition of the vessel with executive vibration summary which can help in monitoring on a yearly basis", said Nurulhuda Binte Mudah, PACMAK DB’s Business Development-Asia, in Singapore (HQ). She comes with an educational background of Shipping operations and Maritime business and with a work experience in Operations in PSA (Port of Singapore Authority) and as a Technical associate in a yacht management company. She adds, “We have started working on Shaft power limitation (SHAPOLI) developed to enable vessels to limit the fuel consumption and associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by limiting the output power of controllable pitch propeller (CPP) shafts.
We are also working closely with top manufactures/ makers of Shaft power thrust meter for the installation and service of these systems". In the Recent IMO regulation of Ballast water management systems (BWMS) where ships need to be fitted with Ballast water treatment systems to save the marine life, PACMAK DB's expertise helps clients from Desktop study, 3D scanning to engineering design and installation of the system onboard. They are the service support /installation support/after sales service engineering support from top BWMS makers in the world. They have their expertise in Exhaust Gas cleaning system (EGCS) to support International maritime organisation (IMO) goal to reduce carbon emissions by 50 percent. They also have expertise in installing Air lubrication systems (ALS) in ships, working closely with top makers of ALS in the industry as described by Nurulhuda.
Pacmak db has created many connections with various partners to deliver high quality services to its clients. What significant advantages has it brought to the organization and its stakeholders?
Nikolaos Archontis, PACMAK DB’s Chartering Manager & Business Development Manager – Europe, says “Our vast and diverse network of clients/partners is an integral part of our global operations. Since we started recently, we’ve rapidly engaged in many successful projects and engineering teams to partner with various ship owners/ship operators/ ship managers more deeply. These engagements help ensure that we can grow our business sustainably and profitably by jointly creating benefits of massive cost-savings and potential experiences for our clients". Nikolaos is currently located in Greece with an educational background in Ship and shipping management and has over 12 years of industry experience in the Ship commercial management – Ship Chartering and Ship Sales/Purchase.
“With an extensive network in the industry globally, we’ve also maintained a strategic presence at events around the world, that means we are looking at maritime trade events such as maritime exhibitions like Asia Pacific Maritime Exhibition (APM) Singapore in 2022, Connecticut Maritime Association (CMA) Shipping – Connecticut, US in 2022, Posidonia – Athens, Greece in 2022, SMM Hamburg – Germany in 2022. And Commercial exhibitions such as Breakbulk Europe – Antwerp, Belgium in 2022, CoalTrans Europe 2022 – Athens, Greece. It is no secret that the industry is eyeing for design, engineering and installation support in reducing carbon emissions as the world moves towards being greener. We have already been appointed on several domestic and cross-border projects", added Nikolaos.
How has pacmak db selected its top management?
In the process of building on his company as its Lead director, Viknessh is very intentional in hiring its top management personnel, to be those who have the know how in building a business and also technical knowledge and background in ships. Since he has worked on the field and interacted with many people, Viknessh delved into his contacts whom he thought to share similar values with him and were trust worthy when he started PACMAK DB. Since he has also worked with those he contacted, he also knew the quality of work they delivered and the standards they set. Hence, in this way, he can assure the quality of services provided and maintain the high standards of deliverables given to the client.
But To Me All The Ships Always Paint Only One Name 'Mother'. And The Seas Whether It Is Indian Ocean Or Pacific Or Arabian Or Whatever Name, The Name Of Any Sea For Me Is 'Father'
After careful selection, the team of PACMAK DB was slowly shaping up with individuals who have a keen sense for high quality and standards and burning desire to succeed. And have the quest to always improve themselves, mirroring the key values of PACMAK DB, Integrity, Long Standing Re l a t i o n s h i p s , Relentless Pursuit for Excellence, Trust & Transparency.
says Viknessh, Young Entrepreneur, Naval Architect & Founder of PACMAK DB
“Rather setting my sea route and going towards it, the vast sea and its vessels in the form of my clients know me very well to set routes into new explorations every time to get whatever they need from me, steering up on and on above the waves. I just keep going with the waves with all gratitude to all my team and clients and all included throughout, thank you”, signs off Viknessh.
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