Kotor, where I was born and raised, is a beautiful port town facing the Adriatic Sea. My parents were factory workers, but many of my friends' fathers were seamen, and ships were always moored in the port. Our house's balcony had a view of the sea, so perhaps it was natural that I would choose the path of becoming a navigation officer. In the 1990s, Montenegro's job market was unstable because of internal conflict. That was when MOL opened a seafarer training center and started hiring in my country. I saw this as an opportunity. After completing my training in MOL training center, I embarked on my career as a cadet on MOL London fleet vessel. I gained experience sailing across the globe, then made my dream of becoming a Captain a reality. Today, I command a Very Large Crude Oil Carrier (VLCC: a capacity of over 200,000 tons).

Our ship has a crew of about 20 people who live together like family. I've worked with crew members from many different countries, including Montenegro, Croatia, Romania, Poland, UK, the Philippines, and India. To bring together such diverse members with different cultures and mindsets, I believe that mutual respect and understanding are essential. Because we operate in a confined environment at sea, open dialogue is crucial. Relationships built on trust and mutual respect are what ensure the ship's safety. As Captain, I also consciously strive to lead by example, not just by words. It's my philosophy to never ask others to do something I myself would not do. I believe that when a leader takes initiative and leads by example, it boosts crew morale and unites the team.

In my case, I get three months of leave after a three-month voyage. Nothing makes me happier than disembarking and returning home to my wife and three children waiting for me. When I'm on leave, I'm 100% in "family mode." At home, I often do the cooking. I'd say my specialty is risotto. Whether it's chicken or seafood, I improvise with whatever's in the house and make it my own way. The great thing about risotto is that you can throw in almost anything and it still turns out great. (Laughs.) I'm also into motorcycles. I originally started riding to avoid traffic jams. We live in a narrow coastal town with limited roads, so it can take about an hour just to travel two kilometers. What began as a necessity has now become a passion-I love going on nature tours on my days off. The time I spend at our summer house in the mountains is an essential for resetting my mind before the next voyage.

MOL is a global organization, but every individual plays a vital role. I feel connected to my colleagues around the world, across the vast oceans, and I trust in the capabilities of the MOL team. I believe the keys to success are open dialogue, mutual trust, and cooperation. While each vessel presents its own challenges, I think it's a universal truth that we must look out for one another. Safeguarding each other's safety and returning home to our families with a smile is the cornerstone of our work, and I want that to be true of the next generation of mariners. I firmly believe that the pride of every single MOL employee underpins safety at sea and the future.