Chief Executive BP Shipping visits SIMS, Lonavala and Mumbai
Mr. David Baldry, Chief executive of BP Shipping and vice president of the BP group visited SIMS Lonavala and Mumbai on 23rd March and described the institute as being world class and second to none.
In his maiden visit to India seven months after he took over the new position, Mr. Baldry took one full day to visit the pre-sea campus at Lonavala and the post-sea facilities at Mumbai. Mr. Baldry, accompanied by Mr. David Williamson, Director, Fleet Operations of BP Shipping and Capt. Andrew Cassels, Manager, Fleet Commercial Services of BP Shipping, attended a parade by the cadets as the chief guest before going around the full campus in Lonavala. In his address to the cadets in the auditorium, Mr. Baldry pointed out to the cadets that he had not come across a similar maritime institute anywhere else in the world.
Mr. Baldry explained to the cadets the close relationship and partnership between BP Shipping and Executive Ship Management. He expressed satisfaction that some of the cadets will also serve in the BP Shipping vessels in due course. Mr. Baldry, a professional cricketer in his early years of life, also visited the gym and was impressed with the use of the gym by the cadets.
Mr. Baldry and his team had a close look at the fast completing “ship-in-campus” and unequivocally opined that once completed the facility will be unique in the world maritime training field.
Mr. Baldry visited SIMS, Mumbai that same afternoon and was shown around the entire facilities by the Managing Director Mr. B.S.Teeka and Director Mr. J.K.M.Nair. Mr. Baldry was impressed with the facilities and particularly mentioned his experience of walking inside a tank which is part of the unique training facilities available in the institute.
More photos are avaliable on pages 14 & 15. |
