The Sea is His Story: The Inspiring Voyage of DMETian Manish Prashant (DMET Class of 2004)
- Prateek Khanna
- Apr 9
- 5 min read
“Leadership is not about a title or designation. It’s about impact, influence, and inspiration.” – Robin Sharma
In the maritime (our) industry—especially when the individual is a DMETian—some stories stand out not just for the milestones achieved, but for the character they reveal and the legacy they build. One such story belongs to Manish Prashant Sir (DMET Roll Number 5415), a marine engineer who let the sea shape his resolve, fine-tuned his skills in the engine room, and transitioned seamlessly into a leadership role ashore.
A proud alumnus of DMET Kolkata, Class of 2004, Manish Sir’s journey is a tale of grit, transformation, and relentless pursuit of excellence.
Humble Beginnings, Grand Aspirations
With an inquisitive mind and quiet determination, Manish Prashant (DMET Roll No. 5415) joined the esteemed corridors of DMET Kolkata in 2000. What he lacked in flamboyance, he made up for with unwavering focus. Surrounded by equally bright minds, he immersed himself in the rigorous world of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.
Life at DMET was far more than classroom learning. Midnight engine assignments, rigorous shipyard sessions, and the deep camaraderie of hostel life taught him that being a marine engineer wasn’t just about machines—it was about resilience under pressure, precision amid chaos, and leadership in solitude.
The Voyage Begins: 11 Years Across the World’s Oceans
Graduating in 2004, Manish Sir stepped aboard a journey that many dream of, but only a few complete with such grace and discipline. Over the next 11 years, he sailed across the globe—rising from Fourth Engineer to Chief Engineer—working on some of the most demanding vessel types:
LPG Carriers
Ethylene Carriers
Chemical Tankers
Oil Tankers
These ships weren’t just his workplace; they were floating universities, battlefields of unpredictability, and stages where technical mastery and emotional strength were tested daily.
From his early years with Selandia Ship Management, where he earned a name for sharp problem-solving and seamless coordination, to high-pressure operations aboard British Petroleum and Varun Shipping vessels, Manish Sir built a rock-solid foundation at sea. By 2013, he had earned the rank of Chief Engineer, a testament to his credibility and command. At this point, he was no longer just managing machines—he was leading teams, resolving crises, and driving performance at the highest level.
From Sea to Shore: Charting New Courses in Singapore
In 2015, he returned to Mumbai with Selandia Ship Management in a shore-based role, marking the start of a new chapter.
His shore assignment was as Technical Superintendent with Selandia, where he handled everything from budgeting and dry-docking to crew training and third-party audits. His grounding in shipboard realities gave him an edge in managing complex technical and operational functions from the office—without losing touch with the people and processes onboard.
Transitioning ashore can be daunting for seasoned seafarers, but Manish Sir made the shift appear seamless. By 2017, he had moved to Singapore, one of the world's most strategic maritime hubs, to begin a new phase of leadership in vessel management.
At Executive Ship Management, his leadership abilities further blossomed. He was promoted to Senior Technical Superintendent and later to Senior Vessel Manager, roles that saw him overseeing an entire fleet’s performance, ensuring regulatory compliance, and leading operational efficiency projects that delivered measurable results.
Helming the Fleet: The OSM Thome Era
In 2019, Manish Sir took a significant leap in his career by joining OSM Thome, one of the world’s leading ship management companies. Over the next five years, he rose through the ranks to become Fleet Manager, overseeing the company’s LPG and Ethylene vessel operations—some of the most technically complex and safety-sensitive ships in maritime trade.
Manish Sir's portfolio during this time was vast:
Managing technical operations and budgets
Ensuring compliance with international maritime regulations
Leading dry-docking projects across Asia
Liaising with ship owners, charterers, and port authorities globally
Mentoring and guiding a new generation of superintendents and technical officers
He wasn't just solving problems—he was orchestrating operations, steering teams, and aligning goals across departments in a high-stakes, deadline-driven environment. Under his watch, OSM's vessels regularly passed PSC inspections and commercial vettings with distinction.
A New Horizon: Lloyd’s Register and the Strategic Shift
In March 2024, Manish Sir began the next chapter of his journey—this time with Lloyd’s Register in Singapore, as a Senior Account Manager. This role marked a shift from direct fleet operations to strategic maritime consultancy and stakeholder engagement.
Now responsible for commercial maritime solutions, Manish Sir manages relationships across the industry, offering value-driven insights into:
Regulatory compliance
Sustainability initiatives
Operational optimisation
Commercial contracts between clients and Lloyd's Register
He brings a unique dual perspective to the table—technical depth honed at sea and strategic foresight built through his MBA in Project Management from Cardiff Metropolitan University (2021). At Lloyd’s Register, Manish Prashant Sir plays a strategic role that blends vision with execution. He aligns organisational goals with evolving industry and regulatory priorities, consistently thinking beyond short-term challenges to shape long-term impact. His commercial acumen is evident in his ability to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and identify new growth opportunities, all while building robust business cases without compromising safety. A skilled problem-solver, he uses structured tools to break down complexity, makes confident decisions amid ambiguity, and empowers his team to think independently. With a strong focus on results, Manish Sir drives goal clarity, overcomes challenges with resilience, and continually motivates himself and others to improve performance.
Delivering Results (Motivates self and others to achieve results)
Sets clear goals and drives team alignment
Tackles obstacles with resilience and energy
Maintains high motivation, seeking continual improvement
The Man Beyond the Rank
Colleagues describe Manish as a leader who listens before he speaks, understands before he acts, and leads by example, not by authority. Fluent in both Hindi and English, he holds professional certifications in:
Teamwork Foundations
Delivering Results Effectively
Leading Productive Meetings
Outside the office, he is known to enjoy long drives, reading maritime literature, and mentoring young engineers, especially from his alma mater, DMET.
A Message to Young Marine Engineers
Manish Sir often shares this profound insight with budding professionals:
“Learn from the sea, but don’t forget to reflect ashore. It’s not about chasing promotions—it’s about chasing competence. And the world will notice.”
In Closing: The DMET Spirit Lives On
From cadet life at DMET to the helm of fleet operations, and now into strategic leadership at one of the world's oldest classification societies, Manish Prashant Sir’s journey is one of relentless growth and grounded integrity.
He represents what it truly means to be a DMETian: adaptable, technically sound, globally relevant, and deeply human. His journey continues to inspire generations of engineers to dream beyond the horizon, build with intention, and lead with purpose.
Thank you, Manish Sir, for making the DMET community proud. Your voyage has just begun. Connect with Manish Sir
For those seeking mentorship, industry insights, or simply inspiration, Manish Sir is always open to meaningful connections. 👉 www.linkedin.com/in/manishprashant-8b2227122