Charting the Course: The Inspiring Voyage of Chief Engineer Pankaj Thakur
- Prateek Khanna
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
In the vast expanse of the maritime world, where dedication, precision, and resilience define success, Pankaj Thakur stands tall as a seasoned marine engineer whose career spans over 17 years at sea and ashore.
Currently based in Hong Kong, Pankaj has emerged as a reliable and results-driven Vessel Manager/Technical Superintendent, known for his technical acumen and an unwavering commitment to safety, compliance, and operational excellence.
🌊 Early Life & Education
Born on October 23, 1985, Pankaj Thakur set sail on his journey from India’s most prestigious marine institute – Marine Engineering and Research Institute (DMET), Kolkata, now known as IMU Kolkata.
Post his graduation, he earned his Certificate of Competency (Class 1) as a Marine Engineer Officer, issued by the Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai – a milestone that positioned him among the top echelon of shipboard engineers.
Fluent in English and Hindi, Pankaj's interpersonal and administrative capabilities complement his technical skill set, making him not just an engineer but a leader and communicator.
🚢 A Life at Sea: Rising Through the Ranks
Pankaj began his sea career on September 8, 2007, as a Junior Engineer and steadily climbed the ranks — all the way to Chief Engineer. His time on board covered MR tankers, VLCCs, Chemical Tankers, Container Ships, and Offshore AHTS vessels, serving under industry giants like AESM, AETM, Univan, Hind Offshore, and Pacific Tankers.
His engineering experience includes working with a wide range of marine propulsion systems and auxiliary machinery such as:
Main Engines: DOOSAN Sulzer, MAN B&W, HYUNDAI-SULZER, WARTSILA, and MAK.
Auxiliary Engines: Yanmar, MAN, HIMSEN.
Boilers: Alfa Laval, Kangrim.
Cargo and Ballast Systems: FRAMO, MARFLEX, SHINKO.
BWTS: Electrolysis and UV systems.
Across roles such as 2nd Engineer (44 months) and 3rd Engineer (19 months), he has ensured smooth operations, zero detentions, and an unwavering safety record.
⚓ Ashore Leadership: Vessel Manager at Fleet Management Limited
Since October 8, 2021, Pankaj has transitioned into a strategic shore-based role at Fleet Management Limited, one of the world’s leading ship management companies. As Vessel Manager, he has been responsible for overseeing multiple vessels, including:
M.T. Monaco Loyalty (307,284 DWT)
M.T. Pacific Loyalty (299,999 DWT)
M.T. Silver Heba
M.T. Solar Nesrin
M.T. Eships Agamid
He successfully carried out dry dockings of vessels like Eships Agamid and Eships Barracuda, and has consistently delivered positive SIRE 2.0 inspections and compliance with TMSA benchmarks.
His target? Nil detentions, zero off-hires, and rust-free, reliable vessels.
🔧 Technical & Safety Philosophy
Pankaj's guiding principles in vessel operations are rooted in:
Safety First: Ensuring life-saving and fire-fighting appliances are always operational.
Environmental Stewardship: Upholding marine environmental protection protocols.
Maintenance Excellence: Ensuring zero NCs (Non-Conformities) and timely audits (FS Audits, Terminal Inspections).
People-Oriented Leadership: Organizing, monitoring, and supervising with precision while maintaining open communication with all stakeholders.
💬 Communication & Management Style
Identified as an Organizer and Driver, Pankaj brings structure and pace to any operation. Whether it’s coordinating multi-million-dollar dry-docking or preparing for rigorous inspections, he believes in clear communication, meticulous planning, and accountability at every level.
🚀 Looking Ahead: Gas Carriers & Beyond
With a rich background in tanker operations and technical management, Pankaj is now eager to transition into gas carrier management, bringing his legacy of no incidents, no detainable deficiencies, and zero unplanned off-hires into this highly specialized field.
He is open to exciting new roles and responsibilities, looking for a salary in the range of HKD 90,000 per month.
Sparks That Lit the Way: The Story of Pankaj Thakur and the Welding That Saved a Voyage (Courtesy: Merchant Navy Decoded)
There are moments in every professional’s journey that define not just their future—but become unforgettable stories of courage, competence, and character.
This is the story of Pankaj Thakur, currently a Technical Superintendent in Hong Kong, but back in 2007, just a young Junior Engineer on board a tanker—armed with nothing more than his training, his integrity, and a welding course he had taken seriously during his college days at DMET Kolkata.
Let’s rewind the clock ⏳ to the year 2007...
⚓ The Crisis at Sea
Pankaj Thakur had been sailing on an aging oil tanker—nearing port. As discharging operations were about to begin, a critical snag was discovered. The IG blower was not developing sufficient pressure. Upon closer inspection, it was revealed that the keyway of the blower shaft was slipping, preventing the blower from running at the required RPM.
The recommended repair procedure was lengthy and demanded skill: remove the blower, take out the shaft, weld and develop the keyway, refit, and test. However, there was a major roadblock—the ship’s fitter had been signed off a week earlier on medical grounds and had not been replaced.
The Chief Engineer stood in dilemma—cargo operations had to commence or the owners would lose thousands of dollars. An urgent repair was needed—but who could weld?
One by one, he asked the crew—“Can you weld?” Silence.
💡 Enter: Pankaj Thakur, the Engine Cadet
At that moment, Pankaj Thakur, then an engine cadet, was not even in the engine room. He was approached by the electrical officer, who casually asked, “Can you weld?”
“Yes, I know welding,” replied Pankaj.
Surprised, the electrical officer took him to the Chief Engineer. When asked again, Pankaj confidently said, “Yes, sir. I can weld.”
The Chief was skeptical. “I’ve also done a welding course,” he said.
“But sir,” replied Pankaj, “I did it sincerely.”
That one line changed everything. His confidence sparked a glimmer of hope. The Chief gave him a test plate and asked him to demonstrate.
🔥 The Miracle of the Millimeter
Pankaj’s welding passed the test.
The IG blower shaft was removed.
Welding was carried out by Pankaj himself.
Machining was done post-welding.
Upon testing, the alignment was off by just 1 mm from the manufacturer’s specs—well within acceptable tolerance.
The IG blower was refitted. It ran perfectly. Pressure was built. Cargo discharge commenced on time. Thousands of dollars were saved.
And Pankaj Thakur? He gained something more valuable than money—respect.
From the Chief Engineer to the crew, to the bridge officers, and possibly the shipping company—everyone now knew the name of the cadet who saved the day with a welding torch.
🌟 The Life-Changing Lesson
That moment marked a turning point in Pankaj’s life. It wasn’t just about the job done—it was a validation of a deeper truth:
No training ever went to waste.Even a “dying art” like welding, when practiced with sincerity, could turn into a career-defining jackpot.
17 years later, Pankaj reflected:
“It was good to have different skills. Welding was one of those essential ones. When performed sincerely at the learning stage, it built confidence, created teamwork, and made me an indispensable part of the crew.”
👨🏭 Why Welding Still Mattered
In a world of automation and AI, welding remained a core skill on ships. It:
Helped relieve pressure from the fitter during heavy workloads.
Came in handy during emergencies when no fitter was available.
Built leadership by example.
Enhanced respect and trust among the team.
As Pankaj said, “Welding helped motivate the crew, created bonding, and built self-confidence. If you had performed welding with your own hands, it stayed with you for life.”
🧭 The Man Behind the Miracle
Pankaj Thakur later took up the role of Technical Superintendent in Hong Kong, where he:
Managed large vessels like VLCCs and Product Tankers.
Oversaw dry dockings, SIRE 2.0 inspections, and technical operations.
Ensured zero incidents, zero detentions, and high-performance operations.
He attributed much of his success to the principle he learned early:
“Take every training seriously—you never knew when it would become your moment of glory.”
🔗 Final Message
To every seafarer reading this:
If you ever wondered whether learning welding—or any skill—was worth your time, it was. There were great institutions like UN-IMTC in Mumbai, dedicated to building these hands-on skills. Invest in yourself. Stay sincere. Stay sharp.
Because one spark could light up your whole career.
🎙️ A Word from Pankaj Thakur
“Hi friends, this was Pankaj Thakur, Technical Superintendent working from Hong Kong.It was surprising and amazing that my batchmate remembered this story after 17 years.Welding was an important skill. I had practiced it seriously, and it helped me someday on board,just like it can help you. All the best to every seafarer reading this.”
