Tan Cang Pilot: Ensuring Steady Growth
Wednesday, 26/10/2022
Originating from the requirements of the Ministry of National Defense, the Navy needed a qualified pilot force to guide modern military and foreign naval ships for diplomatic and mission purposes in the maritime zones of Vietnam. On October 27, 2008, the Minister of National Defense issued a decision to establish the Tan Cang Pilot, a member of Saigon Newport Corporation (SNP).
Over 14 years of development, maturity, and growth, the team of officers, workers, and laborers of the company has continually strived to overcome challenges, excelling in their assigned tasks, and creating a tradition of "Discipline, Safety, Unity, and Efficiency."
Building a High-Quality Resource Base
The Tan Cang’s pilot boat clears the channel for large ships to enter Cai Mep TerminalIn recent years, the Tan Cang Pilot Company has made remarkable progress by following a sustainable strategic direction based on the "3 pillars" (leading customer service quality; advanced management, professional human resources, modern technology; military discipline, corporate culture, and community responsibility).
Colonel Nguyen Van Phuong, Party Secretary and Chairman of the Company, stated that the company consistently implements a range of initiatives and solutions, with a focus on nurturing a politically resilient and determined workforce. This approach is the foundation for enhancing comprehensive quality and the capacity to accomplish the company's missions.
The Party Committee, Board of Directors, and Company Management enhance leadership and effectively organize political and ideological education, emphasizing the mission for officers, employees, and laborers. They integrate political education with character development, lifestyle improvement, and the promotion of responsibility, methods, and work etiquette in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities.
The entire company actively modernizes educational methods, combining fundamental education with mission education, legal education, corporate culture, and military tradition, fostering a sense of pride and responsibility in upholding the distinctive culture of "Saigon Newport’s Family."
The company emphasizes organizational consolidation, lean and efficient staffing, and the development of high-quality human resources. It closely supervises the restructuring of the enterprise, adheres to management system standardization, implements ISO systems and resource management systems (ERP).
The company gradually modernizes training and development strategies, enhancing the capacity of officers, employees, and laborers. The focus is on "specialization, substance, professionalism – building Tan Cang Pilot into a learning enterprise."
Improving the quality of pilot crew and maritime services is achieved by building a strong, harmonious relationship among generations, cultivating military knowledge, discipline, responsibility, and diplomacy, with strict adherence to external regulations.
The company is currently collaborating with STC-Vietnam companies to develop software for simulation in the pilot areas of Cat Lai, Cai Mep, and Hiep Phuoc, as well as conducting theoretical and practical training for managing large ship maneuvers. The company regularly invites experienced, first-rate lecturers from the Vietnam Maritime University and the University of Transport in Ho Chi Minh City to share their expertise.
The company places great emphasis on vocational skills, foreign language, and information technology applications to meet the requirements of military, production, business, and international integration.
The company has organized 14 delegations, totaling 94 pilot crews, for training at the world's best pilot training centers in the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands. It has also collaborated with STC-Vietnam to organize five classes for human resource management and simulation pilot training in the Ba Son turning area and Cai Mep, strengthening cooperation and skills exchange with fellow pilot companies and surface ship units in the military branch.
Sustainable Development 
The unlimited class maritime pilot, Colonel Hoang Thanh Binh, Director of the Company, commanded the pilot boat to guide a vessel into the terminalGiven the fiercely competitive market, the company has relentlessly sought innovation and professionalization in leadership, operation, business management, and the cultivation of discipline and corporate culture.
Primarily, the company has focused on administrative reform, adopting scientific and business-oriented approaches. It has actively utilized resources, upgraded infrastructure, equipment, and technology with a modern outlook.
The company has invested in several maritime safety initiatives, such as electronic navigation aids installed on iPads and iPhones to support night-time pilotage in narrow channels, methods for guiding and berthing non-thruster ships, dual-water pilotage, and ship-handling simulations for accommodating large vessels into and out of ports.
Colonel Hoang Thanh Binh, Party Secretary and Director of the Company, mentioned that the company has aggressively applied information technology across various areas. It has invested in customer management, financial management, salary labor, moving toward implementing an ERP enterprise management system to ensure confidentiality and security. The company has actively strengthened relationships with state management agencies, the Vietnam Maritime Pilots' Association, and other pilot companies. It has bolstered its reputation and credibility with shipping companies and their agents concerning the quality of pilot services.
Over the years, the company has organized pilot operations for hundreds of military vessels, including submarines, aircraft carriers, and warships, from various naval forces worldwide visiting and engaging in defense diplomacy in Vietnam. It has also provided transportation for hundreds of military personnel to attend exercises and ensure absolute safety.
Thanks to these efforts, the company has consistently met and exceeded its annual revenue targets. The company is on track to complete its 2022 business plan seven days ahead of schedule, with all economic targets met or surpassed, a 6.8% increase in pilotage, and a 5.9% increase in pre-tax profits compared to 2021. The company has established itself as the leading pilot company in Vietnam, contributing to the recognition of Saigon Newport Corporation as an exemplary national defense and security enterprise, effectively fulfilling two national defense and economic missions.
Organized pilot to the Kilo 630 submarine to dock and leave Tan Cang Cam Ranh TerminalIn line with the restructuring plan and the goal of improving military enterprise efficiency, the Party Committee, Chairman of the Company, and the Board of Directors actively integrate into the company's production and business activities. They have identified the need to enhance the company's management capabilities in line with its objectives, vision, and mission (Objective: To build and develop Tan Cang Pilot into the leading maritime pilot company in Vietnam; a reputable brand with top-quality maritime services. To make the brand "Tan Cang Pilot - National Defense Pilot" a strong brand both domestically and internationally. Vision: To become the number one maritime pilot company in Vietnam with a globally recognized brand, offering top-quality services. Mission: Ensuring maritime security, environmental protection, economic development, and contributing to the construction and defense of the Fatherland).
(Source: Saigon Newport Corporation)
(Source: Saigon Newport Corporation)