A ship at sea is a self-contained workplace that runs around the clock. From the outside, shipping can look straightforward: a vessel travelling from one port to the next. But behind every voyage is a constant flow of planning, important judgement calls, and careful coordination, balanced against stringent safety requirements, compliance and other realities from working on the ocean.
In this Q&A, Captain Oleksandr Pshenychnyi, AFNI, a Master onboard a Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) – part of Zodiac Maritime’s diverse fleet – shares what his role involves day-to-day, what it takes to deliver reliable operations for customers, what makes a strong onboard crew and team, and why consistent standards and clear communication matter as much as technical capability. He also reflects on what he enjoys most about life at sea, and the pride that comes from helping cadets and junior officers grow into their responsibilities and careers.
What is your role at Zodiac Maritime, what does your remit cover, and what are your main responsibilities?
As Master on a fleet of PCTC vessels, I’m responsible for the safe, efficient and reliable operation of the vessel and for ensuring we meet international regulations and Zodiac Maritime’s high standards at all times. In practice, that means overseeing navigation and cargo operations, leading the onboard team, maintaining a strong safety culture, ensuring the wellbeing of my crew and making sure the ship is prepared for what the sea and the schedule might bring. Ultimately, responsibility sits with me and I am accountable for everything that happens onboard.
How would you describe your role to someone outside the industry in one sentence?
Think of it as running a floating workplace that operates 24/7: keeping people safe, making critical decisions in real time, and ensuring the ship does its job reliably while the world’s trade keeps moving across the oceans.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Most days begin early with a quiet coffee and a check of the voyage plan, weather routing, notices, and messages coming in from shore. From there, the day is a mix of looking ahead and staying close to what’s happening in real time: constantly monitoring operations, checking that standards are being followed, supporting officers and the crew, and making sure communication stays clear across every department. No two days are identical, but the priorities don’t change – safety first, good judgement, and steady leadership that keeps the ship running smoothly, calmly and professionally.
What do you enjoy most about working at Zodiac Maritime?
For me, it’s the diversity that you get within the crew. When you bring together people from different countries, backgrounds and experiences, you get new perspectives and different ways of solving problems. It keeps you learning and strengthens the team when that diversity is matched with mutual respect and a shared commitment to doing the job properly.
What is a memorable moment or achievement you are most proud of?
The moments that stay with me are when you see people grow. Watching cadets, trainees, and junior officers develop confidence, sharpen their skills, and start taking on more responsibility is genuinely rewarding. You can see the results of good mentoring and a supportive environment, and you know it will make a difference far beyond one voyage.
What is one thing people often misunderstand about your role, or about shipping?
Many people don’t realise how complex and coordinated shipping really is. From the outside, it can look like a ship simply moving cargo from A to B. There is constant planning, decision-making, and risk assessment, all while meeting strict safety and environmental requirements and leading a diverse team, often a long way from immediate support. It’s a high-responsibility operation, every hour of every day.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in shipping?
Go into it expecting to learn continuously. If you’re willing to work as part of a team, adapt quickly, and take responsibility seriously, it can be an incredibly rewarding career. It suits people who enjoy problem-solving and practical decision-making, and who are motivated by the challenge of doing a demanding job well.
What makes a high-performing team in your area of responsibility?
Trust and communication are the foundations. A strong team is one where everyone understands their role, speaks up early, and supports one another without hesitation. Respect and accountability matter just as much. When people take ownership of their duties and look out for the wider team, standards stay high and performance follows.
What does good coordination look like between ship and shore in your area?
Good coordination requires clear communication, shared planning, and fast alignment when conditions change. When ship and shore work as one team, decisions are easier, support is more effective, and the operation becomes smoother and safer. That sense of partnership is what we aim for at Zodiac Maritime.
How do you plan for and manage risk in your role?
Risk is managed through consistency and clarity in decision making and planning. Excellence at sea isn’t one big action – it’s thousands of small professional decisions done well, every day. It’s staying disciplined on routines, thinking ahead, checking assumptions, challenging standards, and making sure the team remains focused on the basics: communicating clearly, following procedures, and taking the time to do things properly even when the pace is high.
For Captain Oleksandr Pshenychnyi, leadership at sea is built on steady, well-established routines, strong communication and the discipline to make thousands of small decisions well – not just in moments of pressure, but every day. It’s a role that combines operational oversight with responsibility for people, standards, and safe outcomes, often far from immediate support.
Just as importantly, it’s a role grounded in developing others. Whether through mentoring cadets and trainees or creating a culture of trust and accountability across the crew, the measure of a successful voyage is not only arriving safely but also leaving the team stronger than before. That focus on professionalism and continuous learning is at the heart of what safe, reliable and efficient operations look like across Zodiac Maritime’s fleet.