BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Brunei Gas Carriers Sdn (BGS) Bhd recently celebrated the promotion of Mohammad Shahbrin as the second Bruneian Chief Officer from its pool of highly skilled marine officers, Borneo Bulletin reported.
BGC Managing Director Awg Shahbudin bin Musa said BGC has achieved another significant milestone in its localisation efforts.
Shahbrin was promoted to the rank of Chief Officer on July 30, 2012 and becomes the second Bruneian in the Brunei Gas Carriers employment to have achieved this rank. On his first assignment as a Chief Officer, he will be sailing onboard the Abadi to Korea next week.
“Shahbrin joined BGC as a deck cadet in September 2006, and after six years took him to this position and which is a commendable achievement,” the BGC MD said.
“Shahbrin’s journey towards achieving the rank of Chief Officer began when we sent him for deck cadet training to undergo the Higher National Diploma in Nautical Science course at Warsash Maritime Academy in Southampton, United Kingdom.
“To be promoted as a Chief Officer, there are several stages that a marine officer needs to go through, including sailing time of at least 18 months and completing the Chief Mate Post HND course at Warsash Maritime Academy in Southampton, United Kingdom.
“With this achievement BGC inches another step further in its journey to enhance the Bruneian expertise within its ranks of ship officers as BGC works towards achieving its objective into becoming a ship management company. To date, 100 per cent of the junior ranks and ratings positions are filled by Bruneians in the BGC owned fleet; which is further complemented by Mohammad Shahbrin’s promotion into the senior ranks through the Bruneianisation programme.
“Approximately 20 deck cadets will be graduating in 2014 from the Maritime Academy to service on BGC’s three ‘A. Class vessels; the Arkat, Amali and Abadi and Brunei Shell Tankers’ four ‘B’ Class vessels; the Bebatik, Bilis, Belanak and Bubuk. The Brunei LNG Fleet delivers LNG to customers of Brunei LNG Sdn Bhd in Japan and Korea,” the BGC MD said.