A New Era Under Darren Ang
Singapore-based offshore vessel owner and operator, MEO Group, has recently appointed Darren Ang as the new CEO. With a clear vision, Darren Ang is determined to propel the marine company to new heights.
During his career, Ang has also been employed as an assistant engineer at A.P. Moller and a marine consultant at Bureau Veritas. He also worked at SvitzerWijsmuller from 1999, holding various positions in the company, including Fleet Operations Manager, Deputy General Manager, and General Manager, until joining Express Offshore Transport, MEO’s predecessor, in 2005.
On his appointment, Ang addressed his colleagues, saying:
“I have now been with this company for 22 years, going through various transformations, via mergers and acquisitions, with MEO as the outcome. Over the years, I have had many job offers, but I chose to stay the course with MEO. I genuinely believe MEO is one of the best offshore support vessel companies and solution businesses in our industry, driven by strong leadership with a highly motivated team. I wanted to make a difference. This remains the same inspiration that continues to drive me today.”
With a bachelor’s degree (first-class honours) in Marine Engineering from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Darren is a member of the Institute of Marine Engineers, the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, and the Singapore Institute of Management.
When asked about his management style, he pointed out that leading by example is key:
“A leader must have the know-how and work hard. Good leaders also must be able to admit when they are wrong, listen to their staff and lead without bias. Last but not least, they should have the ability to be motivational, inspirational and positive – and of course stay calm.”
Under his management, the Group will continue to focus on safety as the highest priority, business integrity, teamwork, respect, and excellence in producing work of the highest quality. MEO will also further promote its dedication to major digital and green transformational changes over the next four years.
Solid Foundation
Headquartered in Singapore, MEO Group has been providing specialised marine services since the 1970s, with the majority of their operations in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa.
Trusted by the world’s largest companies across the maritime and energy sectors, the Group has a demonstrated track record of operational and safety excellence when providing offshore and project transportation vessel solutions.
MEO is the largest crew boat operator and one of the largest barge operators in South East Asia and the Middle East, but its service portfolio is much larger. The Company operates its range of vessels and services across the oil and gas and renewables industry, from crew passenger transportation services and specialised subsea solutions to transportation of large project cargo for its clients.
“Our competitive advantage is also our project transportation division with a track record of over 10 years. Through this division, we are able to provide integrated solutions to our clients and be a one-stop solution through collaborations, supplying the required fleet mix, engineering services and project management.” – Darren Ang
With over 1,500 employees, the Group has multiple satellite offices and dedicated shore bases to provide timely support to its clients.
“One of our key success factors is our ability to turn vessels around efficiently because of our bases and our people. This efficiency sets us apart from competitors.”
The Core Asset: People
While MEO’s operating base’s close proximity to clients is one reason for the Group’s success, Ang affirmed that the most valued asset of the company is its people:
“Our employees have always been and always will be our key focus.”
To retain top talent, MEO invests in its people through multiple avenues, including:
- On-the-job training
- Educational development programs
- Job rotations and cross-functional projects
Through these efforts, employees not only develop their soft skills but also enhance their technical expertise.
For its offshore staff (over 1,000 in service), MEO ensures their well-being with initiatives such as:
- Regular virtual leadership talks
- Ensuring crew members can stay connected with their families
- Providing financial and mental health support for crew members and their families
Navigating Industry Challenges
Ang took over the position of CEO during a challenging period but remains firmly focused on the future.
“The industry has been taking a hit for the past 7 years with falling oil prices and projects coming to a standstill as a result of price wars brought about from the over-production of oil as well as market speculation that has resulted in an oversupply of offshore vessels.”
With the market now picking up, MEO is facing new challenges due to COVID-19 restrictions, including:
- Difficulties for crew joining vessels in different countries
- Complications in crew repatriation
To address these issues, MEO has intensified efforts to ensure employee well-being.
Sustainable Future & Green Transformation
With an increasing focus on sustainability, Ang is leading MEO toward strengthening its position in the renewables industry while ensuring that MEO itself operates sustainably.
“At MEO, we are embarking on an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) plan to future-proof our business and operations with conscientious efforts towards social and environmental aspects of the business.”
In line with Net Zero Emissions 2050, MEO is committed to:
- Managing its direct environmental footprint
- Encouraging responsible and sustainable practices across its supply chain
Business-wise, MEO is expanding its portfolio in the renewable energy sector, focusing on the offshore wind industry in countries such as:
- Taiwan
- Japan
- South Korea
- China
- Australia
- Europe
“Moving forward, we will need to embrace technology to transform the way we work and enhance our efficiency and reliability with focus on a greener tomorrow. MEO has proven that it has what it takes to survive the many downturns with a strong foundation, and now as the new CEO, I will make sure that it continues to develop and grow.”
For more information:
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.meogroup.com