Chief Engineer Valeriy Didenko shared with The Maritime Telegraph his experience working at the China Navigation Company (CNCo).
MT: Mr. Didenko, what launched your marine career?
V. Didenko: My life at sea began after graduation. I studied in the nautical college and then entered the Maritime Academy. Then I worked in the Black Sea Shipping Company for 17 years. I started in BLASCO as a second-class motorman, then as a first-class. Soon I became a senior motorman, then as an engineer. That is, I went through the whole school of real seafarers. When I talk to young guys, I’m not ashamed to tell them that I understand any engineer, and every motorman because I went through all this as well. When BLASCO dissolved, I had to look for another job under a different flag. I worked for different companies. In my last job before the China Navigation Company, I worked for 8 years as a second engineer and for some reason, there was no position for me as a chief engineer.
In December 2004 I was driving my car and heard on the radio that the Alpha Navigation crewing company and the representative of CNCo was looking for a crew. It was Thursday, and the next day was the last day for interviews. I decided not to miss this opportunity. I came to the Alpha Navigation and talked to Captain David Watkins.
The next week a few people, including me were chosen to deliver a new D-CLASS vessel, Pacific Java. It was the largest multipurpose vessel in the world. The company had 4 such vessels which they bought from OLDENDORFF CARRIERS. They needed to hire the crew to deliver those vessels. Borys Kolayev and I delivered the first vessel, then the other 3 vessels were delivered as well. All the officers who worked there were from the Alpha Navigation.
MT: How fast were you promoted at the company?
V. Didenko: Promotions at the company came rapidly. After the first voyage in 2004, I got two promotions from two Englishmen and a month later I took over duties of a New Zealander chief engineer who had retired. That’s how I became a chief engineer.
MT: What vessels did you work on and continue to work on now?
V. Didenko: I worked on D-class ships for a long time. I was a permanent chief engineer on the Pacific Celebes. So I came back to the same vessel each time.
Since 2012 the China Navigation Company has started to build new bulk carriers and timber carriers. I delivered two bulkers in China and we lived there for half a year. Just recently, we delivered two timber carriers to Japan. This was a very interesting experience. You come on board, you need to master it, then a week before the ship leaves the dockyard you need to start the whole process, explain everything, and teach the whole crew all the safety nuances, and so on. It’s necessary to show which reports to make, how to fill them out and how to handle drills, etc. I always teach even the small stuff such as not to stick fingers where it is not necessary.
These timber carriers were built under a special project for CNCo to carry timber from New Zealand where there are a lot of forests. The company has signed a long-term contract for the transportation of timber from New Zealand to Korea, Japan, and China. More than 60 vessels were built for this project. Timber carriers can transport timber itself and various bulk cargoes, just as a regular bulk carrier does.
MT: Tell us about crew do you work with?
V. Didenko: We were the only two Ukrainians during the last contract. The rest were Chinese, Burmese, and Filipinos. It was a pleasure working in such environment for me as this crew composition has slightly different approach comparing to the Europeans. These guys are very disciplined, and they have a different perception of work. Overall, they might be not as educated as Europeans, but at the same time, Filipinos, Chinese, and Burmese seafarers are very detail-oriented. They like deep explanations about small things/matters.
MT: What about the living and working conditions on vessels, what is the vessel’s condition in general?
V. Didenko: The working and living conditions are very good – above what MLS requires. My last ship’s gym had the latest equipment. Impressive. All the ships are in good condition. I am pleased with everything. Almost every CNCo vessel is powered by Sulzer Artiflex engines from Wärtsilä. There is also MAN Burmeister & Wain MCE of Japanese construction on 4 new vessels.
MT: Could you give some personal advice to young engineers as to what they should they pay special attention to in order to become a professional?
V. Didenko: First of all young engineers should comply with SMS (Safety Management System) and PMS (Planning Maintenance System). Everything is written out in our AMOS system as to what (and when) each crew member should do and when. Of course, we treat cadets and the fifth engineers as novices; we put them with engineers – training them constantly – and as a result they work out well.
MT: Tell us about CNCo Pension Program.
V. Didenko: It has worked since 2008. I am pleased that I was one of the first to start talking about this with Doris Luk, who was a CNCo manager. When I was in Hong Kong, she asked me what to do to keep people in the company. I told her that people should be motivated somehow (pension protection, for example). We had that conversation in 2007, and the pension program wasn’t launched in 2008. Everyone has a definite amount, noted in the contract that is sent to the pension account. There is also bank interest and I can get this money back when I stop working. In CNCo, you can work up to 60 years, but you can also work longer if you pass a medical examination.
Then I can get the whole amount, or I can continue keeping it in the bank. I have already a decent salary because there is a seniority bonus.
MT: What are your plans for the future?
V. Didenko: I am almost 15 years with one crewing manager – Alpha Navigation, I am almost 15 years with one employer – China Navigation, I teach youngsters during my vacation, my family is happy, I feel myself like I am 30 years old again. So, I just like that to last as long as possible!
