Staff testimonials

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Rémy, Assistant Branch Manager, Dunkirk

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-2 vc_col-md-3″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_col-lg-12 vc_col-md-12″][vc_single_image image=”1326″ img_size=”210×340″ alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-10 vc_col-md-9″][vc_column_text]With a university diploma in logistics and transport under his belt and wanting to specialize further, Rémy embarked on a master’s in port management. It was during an internship that he came to know Marfret, before joining its Dunkirk office as operations clerk in charge of invoicing on the South America line and then going on to bookings and sales.

“My main job is selling the entire range of the Marfret group’s services to the clients, both on the phone and in the field. I also provide support to the ops department and help the branch manager if needed.

Most of all I like the flexibility and thoroughness the job requires. Having started out in operations means I have an end-to-end view of the transport chain. I also like being in daily contact with all kinds of different people across Europe. Marfret is a company that has retained a human scale, which makes relations with colleagues and management a lot easier and I really do feel the bonds are there. It’s thanks to our size and expertise that we’re still here and recognized in a shipping business that has changed enormously over the past 60 years.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

Amal, Line Manager, Marseille

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-2 vc_col-md-3″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_col-lg-12 vc_col-md-12″][vc_single_image image=”1328″ img_size=”210×340″ alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-10 vc_col-md-9″][vc_column_text]After studying law and business in her native Morocco, Amal continued her studies in Marseille in international transport. She has worked for Cosco France and Delmas (Bolloré Group) where she held several positions before joining in 2003 as assistant line manager. She progressed quickly to line sales manager before taking over in her present capacity as North Africa Lines Manager.

“My job involves managing an industrial tool that is the vessel, from budget to aspects related to commercial strategy, pricing policy, operational missions, legal constraints and management control. I manage the line and oversee its development within its entire operational perimeter. It’s a lively and fascinating job, especially in extremely competitive markets.

The shipping business is definitely a man’s world, however women still have their place. You have to break down preconceived ideas and be daring. I love a challenge and I love working in a team and, since Marfret is a family-owned company that encourages resourcefulness, I’m able to attempt things, build things, while at the same time furthering my personal development. For me, the key to success is being close to the people I deal and work with, to build relations of trust, to understand the challenges and constraints each one faces. You’re never bored here.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

Stéphane, Vessel Operations Supervisor, Fort de France

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-2 vc_col-md-3″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_col-lg-12 vc_col-md-12″][vc_single_image image=”1330″ img_size=”210×340″ alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-10 vc_col-md-9″][vc_column_text]After obtaining his university diploma in management, Stéphane signed up for a higher education course in international commerce at the Marseille Chamber of Commerce and Industry before joining Marfret on an internship in 2004. It was later, when he was recruited as operations assistant on the Round-the-World line, that he discovered the numerous facets of the business: operations, sales, logistics, disbursements… In 2005, he began his Martinique adventure, moving to the Fort de France office as Vessel Operations Supervisor.

The ship and the containers are the two main components of my job. I organize and manage all aspects of the ship’s port call from start to finish. I’m lucky enough to work part of the time for our handling subsidiary, which makes the job even more interesting.

I have to deal with all kinds of loads: dry and reefer containers, conventional cargo, ro-ro, cereals, heavy loads etc. and am in direct contact with everyone at the port, harbourmaster, pilots, boatmen, dockers… I especially like the variety in my job, its lively side. I’m always having to adapt to unexpected situations and take quick decisions while keeping in mind costs and profitability. Marfret is a company that operates worldwide but which has managed to retain a family structure. I know everyone, I don’t get the feeling that I’m just a number, and that’s nice!”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

Djamila, Ship’s Agent, Marseille

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-2 vc_col-md-3″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_col-lg-12 vc_col-md-12″][vc_single_image image=”1408″ img_size=”210×340″ alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-10 vc_col-md-9″][vc_column_text]From her very first year at Marseille’s ITIP in 1995, Djamila was doing holiday replacement assignments at Marfret. She must have enjoyed it because she came back every summer… She joined the logistics department in September 1996 on a full-time contract and went on to help start the “Round-the-World” line. She left us to join China Shipping for 18 months but came back in 2001, working in the disbursements department before going on to sales and then operations on the MedCar line.

“I take care of the goods right from the time the booking is made. I take care of all the formalities required for the goods to be loaded on the ship and offloaded when the ship docks: delivery to the quayside, customs entries, documentation etc. I then draw up the disbursement account which lists all the income and expenses.

I find it a lively job, since I’m in daily contact with customers tracking their shipments. And managing the port calls is a job that involves contacts with many different people including the harbour master’s office, dockers and customs officers. What I love is finding solutions when something unexpected crops up, I find these escapes from the routine stimulating. In a company like Marfret, you can work on a made-to-measure basis and pamper the customers, it really changes the human relations. For me, it’s important to feel useful, to know that we’re not just a cog in a big machine…”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]