Stop Asking Which Number Is Right: Collaboration Lessons from Vale, PT Chandra, and AET
One of my highlights from our recent Singapore Summit was moderating a client panel on how collaboration and connectivity across teams and systems are making a difference in shipping. On stage with me were three esteemed leaders from different corners of the industry: • Michelle Gonzalez, Senior General Manager of Shipping Business and Operations at ...
Three industry leaders from Vale, PT Chandra Shipping, and AET gathered at the Singapore Summit to discuss collaboration and connectivity in shipping. Michelle Gonzalez, Lingga Widastri, and Joey Chua shared their experiences and insights on overcoming data silos, driving technology adoption, collaborating with external parties, and ensuring true team and system connections.
Key takeaways from their discussion include unifying data to eliminate back-and-forth, starting with small wins to encourage change adoption, choosing collaboration partners carefully, connecting teams to enable action, and focusing on people rather than technology as the primary barrier to digital collaboration.
Vale aimed to unify data from its entire value chain, from mine to client, resulting in fewer emails and phone calls, a clearer picture of cost movements, and everyone working from the same information. PT Chandra Shipping sought to establish a single commercial mindset, measuring voyages based on utilization, cost, and service for both in-house and external cargo.
AET streamlined its bunkering process by integrating activities previously handled through email, spreadsheets, and SharePoint into the IMOS system, which was implemented in just one month. The single source of truth for bunkering information improved workflow efficiency, visibility, and user experience. Both Vale and PT Chandra Shipping emphasized the importance of external collaboration, with Vale trusting Veson as a technology partner and PT Chandra Shipping needing visibility across brokers, charterers, and agents.
The panelists agreed that successful digital collaboration in shipping hinges on people, not just technology. Bu Lingga noted that without disciplined procedures and refresher training, even a strong platform fails to deliver its value. Michelle highlighted the need for processes to evolve alongside the platform to maintain clarity. Joey stressed the importance of effective change management, building on familiar processes and user experiences to facilitate smoother digital transformation.
Written by urgent.news from Hellenic Shipping News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.