Mail to boss

Subject: Proposal to Explore Recruitment of Vietnamese Seafarers

Dear Boss,

I hope this message finds you well.

As you know, our company has been working very successfully with Filipino crews, who have consistently demonstrated strong skills and professionalism onboard. In light of our ongoing crewing needs, I would like to propose that we also consider recruiting seafarers from Vietnam to work alongside our existing teams.

There are several potential benefits for our company:

• Wider talent pool & flexibility: Vietnam has a growing number of trained seafarers, which can help reduce our reliance on a single source country and ensure continuity in crew supply.

• Cost efficiency: Vietnamese crew wages are generally competitive, which could contribute to optimizing our operating costs.

• Stronger resilience: A mixed-nationality crew provides diversity, flexibility, and reduces risks in case of recruitment challenges in one country.

• Regional reputation: Building ties with Vietnam would also strengthen our presence and network in Southeast Asia.

From my own experience, I can also confirm the quality of Vietnamese crews. In the past, I worked onboard for Japan company, where all the crew members were Vietnamese, and they performed their duties very effectively. Later, I had the opportunity to work on a vessel belonging to a Singapore company with a mixed-nationality crew, which gave me firsthand experience of the benefits of cultural diversity onboard.

In addition, I have a trusted contact in Vietnam who runs a licensed crew manning agency. Their agency is currently supplying senior officers (“Top Four”) to shipowners in Turkey, where they are working successfully alongside Indian crews. This demonstrates both the quality and adaptability of Vietnamese seafarers in international operations.

I would like to suggest we explore this option on a trial basis—perhaps starting with a small group of Vietnamese crew—to assess the benefits and practicality before scaling up.

Please let me know your thoughts. I would be happy to prepare more details or introduce my contact in Vietnam for your consideration.

Best regards,

Subject: Proposal to Explore Recruitment of Vietnamese Seafarers

Dear Boss,

I would like to propose that we explore recruiting seafarers from Vietnam alongside our Filipino crews. This would give us access to a wider pool of talent, reduce reliance on a single source country, and potentially improve cost efficiency. Having a mixed crew can also strengthen flexibility and resilience in our operations. ベトナムの船員を、現在のフィリピン人クルーとあわせて採用することを検討したいと考えております。これにより、より幅広い人材プールへのアクセスが可能となり、特定の国に依存するリスクを減らすとともに、コスト効率の改善にもつながる可能性があります。多国籍の混成クルー体制は、運航における柔軟性や強靭性を高める効果も期待できます。

From my own background, I have worked with all-Vietnamese crews when I served onboard for Japanese company, and I also gained experience with mixed-nationality crews on a Singapore-owned vessel. Both experiences showed me the professionalism of Vietnamese seafarers and the advantages of diverse crews.私自身の経験として、日本の会社の船に乗船していた際には全員がベトナム人クルーの船で勤務したことがあり、またシンガポールの会社所有の船では多国籍の混成クルーと共に働いたことがあります。いずれの経験においても、ベトナム人船員の高いプロ意識と、多様なクルー編成の利点を実感いたしました。

Additionally, I have a trusted contact in Vietnam who manages a licensed crewing agency. Their company is currently supplying senior officers (“Top Four”) to Turkish shipowners, where they are working effectively with Indian crews. This demonstrates the quality and adaptability of Vietnamese seafarers in international operations. さらに、私はベトナムに信頼できる知人がおり、彼は認可を受けたクルーイングエージェンシーを経営しています。その会社は現在、トルコの船主に対し「Top Four」と呼ばれる上級船員を供給しており、彼らはインド人クルーとともに効果的に勤務しています。これは、ベトナム人船員が国際的な業務において十分な能力と適応力を備えていることを示しています。

I suggest we consider starting with a small group of Vietnamese crew on a trial basis, which would allow us to evaluate the benefits before expanding further. I would be happy to provide more details or introduce my contact for your consideration. まずは試験的に少人数のベトナム人クルーを採用し、その効果を評価したうえで拡大を検討することを提案いたします。詳細な情報を提供することも、私の知人をご紹介することも可能ですので、ご検討いただければ幸いです。

Best regards,

### 1. **Prepare in Advance**

   - **Research and Gather Evidence**: Back your idea with facts to show it's thoughtful and beneficial. For example:

     - Vietnam is an emerging key supplier of seafarers, with around 55,000 active worldwide (30,000 ratings and 25,000 officers), and its maritime sector is growing rapidly due to its long coastline and economic focus on shipping. This expands the talent pool beyond the Philippines, which remains the dominant source but faces occasional shortages or rising costs.

     - Vietnamese seafarers often come at competitive costs, with low labor expenses similar to or lower than the Philippines, making it a cost-effective alternative for employers looking to optimize budgets. Vietnam's workforce is larger per capita (595 per 1,000 people vs. 427 in the Philippines), and it has a demographic advantage with a young, productive population that could provide long-term stability.

     - Mixing nationalities can enhance onboard dynamics: Filipino crews are renowned for their English skills and teamwork, while Vietnamese seafarers bring strong technical skills, discipline, and adaptability from a high-growth maritime industry. Diversity reduces risks like over-reliance on one nationality (e.g., during geopolitical issues or labor disputes) and can improve morale through cultural exchange.

   - **Anticipate Concerns**: Be ready to address potential drawbacks, such as language barriers (Vietnamese English proficiency is improving but may need training) or integration challenges. Suggest solutions like targeted onboarding programs or English assessments during recruitment.

   - **Propose a Pilot**: Start small to minimize risk—e.g., hire 10-20 Vietnamese crew members for one or two vessels and evaluate after 6-12 months.

### 2. **Choose the Right Timing and Medium**

   - Opt for a one-on-one meeting or a formal email/memo followed by a discussion, rather than casually mentioning it in a group setting.

   - Time it during a relevant context, like budget planning, crew shortage discussions, or performance reviews, to show alignment with company goals.

### 3. **Structure Your Communication**

   Use clear, positive language. Here's a sample script you could adapt for a meeting or email:

   **Subject (if email):** Proposal to Diversify Crew Sourcing by Incorporating Vietnamese Seafarers

   "Dear Boss,

   I hope this finds you well. As our company continues to grow and manage a high-performing fleet with our excellent Filipino crews, I've been exploring ways to enhance our operational resilience and efficiency. I wanted to share my thoughts on diversifying our crew base by hiring some Vietnamese seafarers to complement our current teams.

   **Rationale and Benefits:**

   - **Expanded Talent Pool**: Vietnam is rapidly emerging as a reliable source of maritime talent, with over 55,000 seafarers globally and a focus on high standards under international conventions like the Maritime Labour Convention. This could help us address any future shortages in the Philippine market, where demand is high.

   - **Cost and Efficiency Gains**: Vietnamese crews offer competitive wages and strong work ethic, potentially reducing overall crewing costs while maintaining quality. Compared to the Philippines, Vietnam's larger working-age population provides a demographic edge for sustained recruitment.

   - **Improved Onboard Diversity**: Mixing nationalities can foster innovation and better team dynamics. Filipino crews excel in communication and service, while Vietnamese bring technical prowess and adaptability, creating a more balanced and motivated workforce. This aligns with industry trends toward diverse crewing to enhance safety and retention.

   **Implementation Suggestion**:

   To test this, we could start with a pilot program: Recruit 10-15 Vietnamese ratings and officers through reputable agencies, integrate them into mixed crews on select vessels, and provide cross-cultural training. We can monitor key metrics like performance, retention, and feedback over the first contract period.

   I'd love to discuss this further and address any questions or concerns. What are your thoughts?

   Best regards,  

### 4. **Delivery Tips**

   - **Be Confident but Open**: Use "I" statements (e.g., "I believe this could benefit us because...") to own the idea without sounding pushy.

   - **Listen Actively**: After sharing, ask for their input to make it collaborative.

   - **Follow Up**: If no immediate response, send a polite reminder or provide more data if requested.

   - **Tone**: Keep it optimistic and company-focused—emphasize how this supports goals like cost control, risk management, and crew quality.