Aleksejs Halavins Changes Training from Obligation to Inspiration

A few years ago many seafarers felt required seminars were only a form to sign. Speakers talked, crews listened, and everyone left without much change. After being invited to speak at an event that blended conference time with archery, golf, and even roller-skating, Alex Halavins saw a new path. Later, at a maritime forum, he noticed a “speed-dating” format where attendees met several speakers in short face-to-face rounds. These two moments showed him that training could be active, social, and memorable.

Back at his own office he shaped a wider program. Traditional one-day sessions became two- or three-day events held on land and sometimes near a vessel. Team-building tasks fill the first part of each day, while topic blocks with guest specialists come after. The guests can be marine lawyers, port inspectors, union leaders, or equipment makers. Everyone meets in the same room, asks direct questions, and hears answers in plain language. People from deck, engine, and office sit together, closing the gap that often separates ship and shore.

In the company of Aleksejs Halavins’ management style

The core idea is simple. First, warm-up activities break formal walls. A group might solve a puzzle course or run a short relay before any slides appear. Second, blocks of expert time let crews speak one-on-one with industry voices they rarely meet. Third, every evening ends with a small task list that both sides review, so agreed actions do not fade after the seminar ends.

Participants value this mix. They say sports lighten the mood, direct access to leaders makes topics real, and shared meals help different ranks understand each other. Office staff also benefit because feedback comes quickly instead of waiting for end-of-voyage reports. Over time the format has been copied by other firms, which Halavins views as proof of success.

Extending the program

The multi-day design keeps growing. Some sessions invite transport ministers or senior regulators who want to hear sea stories directly. These visits open a path for wider industry discussions that stretch beyond one company and help shape practical guidelines for everyone.

Another branch of the Aleksejs Halavins company management approach involves ship visits by senior managers. Halavins notes that a short tour at the pier rarely shows real life. He prefers full-day stays on board, walking from gangway to bridge while talking with crew. Five minutes in the galley or on deck often reveal more than pages of formal checklists. Seeing daily routines firsthand guides policy changes and shows crews their voices matter.

Managers outside technical teams are invited as well. Commercial staff, buyers, and planners travel to vessels so they can see how their office choices affect work at sea. When people understand crew needs, new rules and new tools roll out more smoothly and safely.

Lasting impact

Results appear in communication logs. Ship and office teams report fewer misunderstandings and quicker solutions. Inspections flow better because crews feel comfortable sharing small issues before they grow. Guests at recent events have included ministers of transport from several countries, a point of pride that underlines the program’s relevance.

Feedback forms repeat the same highlights. People enjoy the chance to test ideas in a relaxed setting, value direct conversations with experts, and appreciate follow-up notes that record clear actions.

Looking ahead, Halavins plans to keep the cycle running. He often helps other organizers design agendas and moderate panels. The format has received “best management practice” comments at industry gatherings, encouraging him to extend it to new locations and add fresh themes like mental-health support or digital-log skills.

While travel, concerts, and theater projects also fill his calendar, these seminars remain a central project. They turn mandatory learning into events crews actually anticipate. By blending simple sports, open discussion, and real commitment from leaders, Aleksejs Halavins shows that shipping training can move from obligation to inspiration without losing technical depth or safety focus.