The seniority is high and the accident rate low at M.H. Simonsen, who focuses on Northern Europe both in terms of crews and routes.
With almost 100 years of history behind it since being founded in Svendborg in 1931, tanker shipping company M.H. Simonsen has a range of strong traditions in the company. One of these is the high priority given to the working conditions for both seafarers and land-based employees.
M.H. Simonsen currently has a fleet of nine ships flying the Danish flag – with five more on the way, respectively three newbuildings from China and two arctic tankers from Türkiye. In addition, there are about 200 seafarers, divided roughly equally between officers and ratings, i.e. crew members at different stages of training/education.
»We value all our employees very highly, and our internal statistics also show that the vast majority have been with us for many years. At the same time, we experience very few accidents, and that's a good sign,« General Manager Hans Simonsen says.
All M.H. Simonsen's seafarers are employed directly by the shipping company, where a close, direct dialogue between the office and the crew is a top priority. The operating area is located in Northern Europe, at a good distance from more troubled waters, and the pattern for seafarers usually involves six to seven weeks away, a similar period at home, and then back on the same ship.
»We aim for a 1-1 arrangement for everyone on board, from the bridge to the deck and the engine room. People can leave their belongings on the ship, and they know that they can return to whatever projects they may have started. It may not be direct safety, but at least some comfort for our crews. On top of that, it provides us some peace of mind in the office, because we know who will be on board the individual vessels in the future,« Hans Simonsen says.
The ship is loaded with respect...
The right skills are especially important on the ships servicing the routes around Greenland, where only people with polar experience are employed, so as not to take unnecessary risks. In general, M.H. Simonsen hires seafarers in Northern Europe – primarily Denmark and Poland – largely with the on-board culture in mind.
»We recruit from a fairly limited geographical area and have, for example, excluded people from the Far East, India and Russia for that matter. On this basis, we have a feeling that there is a good jargon on board, where people share humor and an overall understanding of things. It makes everyday life a little easier,« Hans Simonsen comments.
In this context, M.H. Simonsen also relies on the Danish Maritime Authority's campaign to work with respect for each other, just as the leadership are always responsive to crew members seeking new challenges elsewhere in the company.
M.H. Simonsen addresses the psychological working environment at the company's officer seminars, where input is regularly arranged from outside, for example from Sea Health & Welfare (the former Merchant Navy's Working Environment and Welfare Council), which has talked about anti-bullying, social tone and the like.
… and harmless foods
When it comes to physical safety on board, the contents of the tanks of the company's vessels are an important parameter. M.H. Simonsen is thus specialized in transporting edible products, a strategy dating back to the beginning in 1931.
»For the first 30 years, we hauled molasses from sugar beet in barrels, and we still transport it today, just in bulk tankers. In addition, our core business is vegetable oils in general, and some light chemicals. The harsh chemicals are usually not for us,« Hans Simonsen explains and continues:
»In practical terms, it is also difficult to move from chemicals to food on a ship, so we stick to organic products. This in itself constitutes safety and comfort for our seafarers knowing that they are not sailing with toxic substances, and that we have all the necessary safety equipment on board if necessary.«
