Travelling the world with BP: Jaya’s story
As a former sea captain, Jaya joined BP Shipping in 2006. Since then, he has worked in a range of roles, helping to safely transport energy around the world
During the early years of his career as a deck cadet at sea, the Indian shipping industry was growing fast. Over the next thirteen years, Jaya sailed through the ranks – third officer, second officer, chief officer and finally captain.
During his time at sea, Jaya mostly worked on oil tankers but also spent some time on bulk carriers, passenger ships and container ships. As he describes it, “being at sea is a different world; you have a ship to command, 25 to 30 people to support and nothing else disturbs you. You’re able to travel around the world and face new challenges every day.”
However, after three years as captain, Jaya’s family drew him to shore. “Being away from your family and loved ones is the biggest challenge that every seafarer is faced with. In my case, I decided it was time to come home to spend more time with my kids.”
A truly global role
After spending a few years at a ship management company in Singapore, Jaya joined BP Shipping as a marine superintendent in 2006. He spent the next decade in various roles, working on the safety and risk management of BP’s marine activities, which allowed him to develop strong technical and leadership capabilities.
In his time at BP, Jaya has travelled to over 20 countries, including Japan, Australia, South Africa, the US and many more. Describing the benefits of these experiences, he shares:
What makes BP special?
BP values the contribution of its employees, something which stands out for Jaya. In 2011, he won the BP Shipping CEO award and, later in 2015, he was part of the team that received the prestigious Helios award for the value of courage.
