In modern times, there have been great changes in the shipping industry with investment companies becoming the primary owners. But as third party ship managers actually run the ships, they are the ones who get blamed whenever anything adverse happens- simply because the general public is not aware of the financial arrangements behind the ownership. In this scenario, the role of InterManager is very important. It serves as the spokesperson for its members. Its role includes protecting the interests and image of its members, keeping members informed about the changes in laws, acting as a pressure group and the like.

The Road To Success
Guy Morel grew up in France. A bright student with a passion for knowledge, he was attracted to science subjects. After basic schooling, he chose mathematics for his higher studies. After obtaining a graduate degree, he went on to pursue a Masters degree in civil engineering. But he was not satisfied and took admission to an MBA course in the prestigious Harvard University.
Like so many other students who stay on after migrating to the USA, Morel also stayed on. He took on various consulting and marketing positions in USA and also worked in Belgium with Data Resources Inc. (DRI), an international consulting and forecasting firm.

His affiliation with shipping began in 1979 when he joined the Vlasov Group as Marketing Research Manager. Set up way back in 1928 by Alexander Vlasov with a single chartered vessel named after his son Boris, it was a shipping company with a hoary tradition. The company subsequently grew to become one of the biggest shipping concerns in the world and now owns around 25 ships and managing another 400. Morel did not have a background in the marine field and was one of the first non shipping professionals to join this group. It is in this light, that one should understand the challenges that Guy Morel must have faced when he joined this concern.

However, he took up the challenge and his hard work, enterprising spirit and leadership qualities saw him rise up the ranks. He worked in the company for 14 years and helped establish V.Ships in 1984 with its headquarters in Monaco and became its Vice President Marketing. This company was set up to provide ships with well-trained seafarers at all levels. It is one of the biggest ship managers in the world with more than 10,000 seafarers employed on almost every type of ship.
In 1992-1993, Morel became second President of International Ship Managers’ Association (ISMA), following David Underwood. This forum was set up in 1991 to represent the interests of third party ship managers, better known as InterManager.

A New Role, A New Country Fourteen years is a long time and Morel planned to move on. In 1994, he again moved back to USA; This time to run MC Shipping Inc as its President, COO, Director and Shareholder. It had been set up in 1989 as a self-liquidating limited-life company quoted on the American stock market. It managed, operated and invested in a fleet of general cargo semi-container ships. In 1994, it turned into a perpetual company investing in, owning and operating second-hand vessels. Guy remained with the company for 10 years, before resigning in 2004 as Director of the company.
After spending 24 years with the shipping industry, Morel now decided to change tracks. He returned to Monaco and joined the faculty of the International University of Monaco. He had an MBA degree from a prestigious university. He also had vast administrative experience, served at very senior levels and had the experience of handling finance. Armed with academic qualifications and the professional knowledge needed to teach the subject of Corporate Finance, Morel donned the hat of a teacher.

However, his vast experience in the shipping industry would not go waste. In 2007, InterManager appointed him as its new General Secretary. This representative body of ship owners has a significant standing in the shipping industry. After all, its members control 2500 ships and 100,000 seafarers at any given time. In outgoing President Rajaish Bajpaee's words, the person needed for this onerous responsibility had to have all-rounded experience. The person should have served as a director in an organisation, he should have knowledge of the industry, he should have demonstrated leadership qualities, he should be a visionary and he should command respect. No wonder, Guy Morel got this post.

The best part for Morel was that he did not have to relocate to shoulder his new responsibilities. He continues to reside in Monaco, the place he calls home and where a representative office has been set up.