The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology

Synergy’s contribution to Singapore growth recognised

(Posted on 26/04/21)

Synergy Group’s contribution to Singapore’s development as an international maritime hub has been recognised during the prestigious Singapore International Maritime Awards (IMA) 2021 event.

Synergy Group, one of the world’s largest ship managers, won the ‘Maritime Service Provider Award 2021’ at IMA, the marquee event held on 19 April to mark the opening of the 15th edition of Singapore Maritime Week (SMW).

On receiving the IMA ‘Maritime Service Provider Award 2021’, Captain Rajesh Unni, Founder and CEO of Synergy Group, commented: "I’d like to thank Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Singapore government for their fantastic support for Synergy Group and the entire maritime community, especially for their leadership during this pandemic-ravaged year.

"Singapore has grown into what I believe is now the world’s leading maritime hub and that is entirely the result of a singular clarity of policy and purpose from the top down. Our success at Synergy in becoming a global leader would not have been possible without the support and excellent working relationships we have been able to forge around the world and within the Singapore shipping ecosystem, especially with MPA. We very much appreciate this fantastic IMA award.”

The winner of the IMA ‘Maritime Service Provider Award 2021’ was decided following a rigorous adjudication process by an independent panel chaired by MPA. The judges assessed company criteria including quality and growth of global maritime service offerings, leadership qualities within shipping and resilience of operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

IMA judges recognised that Synergy and its subsidiaries have played a leading role in the growth of Singapore into one of the world’s leading maritime centres, with the company’s expansion since it was founded in 2006 bringing depth and expertise to the hub via the skilled managers, researchers and engineers the company trains and employs in Singapore.

They also noted Synergy’s leadership on decarbonisation, its ability to deliver vessel and fleet efficiency gains, its progressive CSR and workforce gender balance values and its leadership throughout the coronavirus crew change crisis - establishing safe crew change corridors and protocols, lobbying governments and championing seafarer mental health on behalf of the Singapore and global maritime community as the humanitarian crisis developed.

Judges concluded that Synergy’s had made a “significant” contribution to “the development of Singapore as an International Maritime Centre”.

Synergy was established in Singapore by Captain Unni in 2006. After starting out with just a handful of ships, the fleet is now almost 400 vessels strong and includes some of the world’s most complex LNG carriers. As well as ship management, Synergy also offers shipbuilding, crew management, training, husbandry, forwarding and travel services.