The Auditor Workshop at Anglo-Eastern Maritime Training Centre (AEMTC) Mumbai opened in September with a powerful message from CEO Bjorn Hojgaard: “Protecting the ocean is a privilege. The sea remembers everything.” His call to “be courageous, stop, speak up” and “own your scope to deliver fully” set the tone for the event.
Anglo-Eastern’s Group Managing Director of QHSE, Vikrant Malhotra urged auditors to act as catalysts for progress – challenging, supporting, and inspiring across the fleet, further charted a bold course for the entire gathering. With a focus on strategic priorities, must-win outcomes, and the Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) principles that underpin Anglo-Eastern’s safety culture, Vikrant called on all present to embrace the privilege of protecting the ocean, to be courageous to speak up and deliver fully. His message was clear – auditors are not merely enforcers, but catalysts for progress, empowered to challenge, support, and inspire across the fleet.
Setting the course: Vision, values, and courage
Led by Puneet Malhotra, Group Head of Quality Assurance & Compliance, and the QHSE team, sessions reframed auditing from ‘policing’ to ‘partnering’, encouraging crews to make the right action the easy action. Auditors were empowered to mentor, share knowledge, and foster continuous improvement.
The “Journey of an Auditor” session, delivered by QHSE leaders and auditors, explored the full audit workflow – from preparation and scheduling to onboard engagement and impactful reporting. Emphasis was placed on risk-based audits, robust non-conformities, and systemic root cause analysis. Interactive labs and feedback sessions reinforced best practices in communication, evidence gathering, and trust-building.
The audit journey: From preparation to impact
A highlight of the workshop was the immersive “Journey of an Auditor” session, an engaging and interactive exploration of the audit process, jointly delivered by Puneet Malhotra, Mohan Narayan (Group Head of Environmental Compliance), QHSE Managers, and several auditors. This dynamic session brought the audit process to life through interactive labs, role-plays, and peer review to understand and bridge the gaps between ‘work as done’ and ‘work as imagined’. Auditors explored the full workflow – from meticulous pre-audit preparation and strategic scheduling, to the critical first sweep onboard and the art of impactful opening meetings.
Special emphasis was placed on identifying and prioritising critical ships, ensuring audits are risk-based and meaningful. The creation of robust, actionable non-conformities (NCs) was a focal point, with practical exercises sharpening the team’s ability to write clear, evidence-based reports that drive real improvement. The message was clear: move beyond surface-level findings to uncover systemic causes and contributory factors, enabling lasting change across the fleet. Interactive elements such as group activities, scenario-based NC writing, and structured feedback sessions reinforced best practices in communication, escalation, and evidence gathering. The session highlighted the importance of daily debriefs, transparent feedback, and the cultivation of trust between auditors and crew – a foundation for continuous improvement and a safer maritime environment.
Training for tomorrow: Investigation excellence
Led by Amit Nauhwar, Group Head of Health and Safety, the training covered incident causation models (Domino Theory, Latent Failure, FRAM), root cause techniques (5 Whys, Fishbone), and best practices in interviewing and evidence preservation. Real-world case studies and peer learning highlighted Anglo-Eastern’s commitment to investigative excellence.
Auditors were encouraged to lead by example, engage with all ranks, and listen to understand. Closing sessions focused on identifying obstacles, proposing solutions, and committing to action—reinforcing resilience, capacity building, and a proactive safety culture.
A commitment renewed
The event concluded with a renewed sense of purpose and unity, as participants reflected on the lessons learned and the connections forged. The focus on resilience, capacity building, and proactive safety culture resonated throughout, with a renewed emphasis on the importance of meaningful engagement, both on board and ashore.
The workshop was a call to courage, ownership, and excellence. As Anglo-Eastern continues to lead the industry, the lessons from AEMTC Mumbai will shape a safer, more successful future across the fleet.
