Captain Abdullah Saeed: An Exceptionally Accomplished Professional and Inspirational Business Leader

Spearheading Maldives State Shipping Company Pvt. Ltd. to overcome the difficulties Maldivian traders and other businesses faced in the lack of a reliable national shipping line and to create employment opportunities, Captain Abdullah Saeed has been a guiding light to catalyze the change in this landscape. He is an accomplished professional who has worn more hats than a ship has sails, from public administration to corporate growth and operations. The maritime journey is vast, and Captain Abdullah skillfully navigated every wave, tide, and turn. This is the captivating tale of how Captain Abdullah Saeed, with his dynamic leadership style, is bringing effective shipping solutions to the Maldives and creating waves as an inspirational business leader.

A Glance at His Incredible Journey 

In 1983, Captain Abdullah set out on a voyage of exploration as a cadet at Maldives Shipping Ltd. (MSL). He sailed the world’s oceans until rising through the ranks to become a Master Mariner, receiving his license from IMCO Maritime Singapore in 1992. This was a pivotal moment in his nautical career.

After his maritime escapades, he decided to change his sailor’s cap for a business hat. He entered the financial and business worlds, working as a crew member for several Maldivian businesses. From leading the team of the ship to mapping out directions for growth and operations, the visionary man took on every role.

Fast forward to 2008, when he dropped anchor from the sea and sailed into government work as the Cabinet Secretary at the President’s Office, remaining on board until 2012. He then took a different path, worked overseas, and visited the Maldives once again in 2020. That’s when the magnificent man took command as the Managing Director at Maldives State Shipping (MSS), sailing under the esteemed State Trading Organization Plc (STO) flag.

Fast-forward to 2023: he was promoted to STO’s Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director position, and he also assumed the role of Chairman at MSS. Unfortunately, in late November, the new administration decided to trim his sails.

Maldives State Shipping Company: An Overview

Navigating the expansive seas of logistics, MSS embarked on her inaugural voyage in April 2020, hoisting the sails as a feeder between Colombo and Male. They embarked on a voyage that would quickly become a part of maritime folklore, despite holding only 4.4% of the market share aboard a chartered vessel.

After three years, this corridor’s market share has grown to a commanding 57%. How were these seas navigated? Imagine this: every ten days, two cargo ships would gracefully pirouette along the Colombo-Malé route, arranging a pulsating dance on the open ocean. Not only that, but their bulk carrier bravely traverses the sea lanes between the ports of the United Arab Emirates and the Maldives, and their cargo vessel doubles as a liner between Tuticorin and Male.

In his role as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at State Trading Organization Plc (STO), Captain Abdullah oversaw the management of the company, its subsidiaries, joint ventures, and associates. Notably, they signed an MOU with a Qatari company to commence international bunkering services in the northern Maldives, and they unveiled the first-ever AI-powered smart store in the Maldives.

An Edge Over the Peers

MSS distinguishes itself by delivering trustworthy and efficient shipping solutions to its clientele. Through a global network of professionals, they provide a wide range of local and international sea freight solutions, including NVOCC, freight forwarding, ship agency, liner, and feeder services. The fleet currently consists of five ships that they use for trading in the Indian and Arabian oceans.

The most prosperous government-owned public corporation, STO, in operation for more than 50 years controls the stakes of MSS. It has a large number of successful subsidiaries, joint ventures, and affiliates operating under its auspices. This helps the company standardize the market by giving them a strong reputation and support from the government.

MSS rides the waves of industry transformation with vigor, investing substantially in cutting-edge shipping software. This technical marvel turns operations into a well-tuned vessel by effortlessly connecting the team with agents across the globe on a single platform. Continual improvement is their compass, always steering the team towards areas ripe for tweaking and optimization.

At MSS, environmental sustainability is deeply rooted in their culture. Their ships navigate the oceans in an environmentally responsible manner, leaving the least amount of an ecological imprint, in compliance with IMO norms and rules. Additionally, the dedication reaches out to the neighborhood, providing chances for residents to join the team whenever the market allows. Thus, their services not only boast excellence but are also adorned with ethical and environmentally conscious sails that navigate the seas of commerce.

Flourishing as a Leader

In charting his course for leadership growth, Captain Abdullah navigates the seas of constant learning and adaptability. Staying in shape means being well-versed in the latest industry trends. That’s why he makes it a point to keep his finger firmly on the pulse of what’s happening.

He sees networking opportunities as gold mines of new insights and priceless connections. A casual conversation during networking could reveal a game-changing concept that sets sail toward success, much like crossing unexplored waters.

But for the visionary leader, mates, it’s not just about soaking in knowledge; it’s about actively seeking it. That’s where training programs come in—his compass in this leadership odyssey. He firmly believes that there is always a new wave to ride and that formal training can help him raise the sails by honing his abilities and providing him with new perspectives that will enable him to take his organization to new heights. In the career of a corporate executive, flexibility is critical. Sustained success requires resilience and the capacity to lead and navigate through shifting environments.

Captain Abdullah’s leadership journey is therefore a dynamic fusion of ongoing learning and proactive adaptation, whether he is navigating through industry insights, steering alongside other leaders, or poring over the leadership logbooks during a training session. After all, in the vast sea of leadership, the more we know, the better we can navigate and chart a course for success.

Painting the Future Canvas of MSS

MSS has carved a remarkable legacy of achievements and success in the last three years. For the future, the company’s compass is set on a twofold vision: navigating the waters of investing in people and expanding their commercial horizons.

“First and foremost, our team is the beating heart of our success. We’re committed to their growth and retention, unfurling comprehensive training programs to mold our team into a powerhouse of maritime skills and knowledge. Anchored in our recruitment strategy is the quest for experts well-versed in emerging technologies and industry trends. Our scholarship program, “Kalaaseen,” is aimed at preparing the upcoming generation of marine experts. Our objective is to release four skilled graduates each year by 2025 to meet the skills deficit in the business.” We also intend to open offices in important maritime centers like Singapore and Dubai”, the inspirational leader asserted.

Further, in corporate aspects, they are planning to acquire more vessels and containers, thereby increasing their capacity and routes. A key focus is the development of a robust local vessel network in the Maldives, facilitating international freight directly to local ports. Their plan also includes growing trade regions, accessing the worldwide chartering and brokerage industry, forging strategic connections with Main Line Operators, and fortifying our ties with agents.