A game-changer for the maritime support services industry: AP Merin Services Sdn Bhd

“We are poised to lead from the front as we know our competitors, our customers, and continue to target new markets.”

AP Merin Services Sdn Bhd is a Malaysian-based leading maritime services and solutions provider, delivering high-quality services to the commercial shipping sector, oil and gas, support vessels, and offshore rigs. It operates across the globe providing maritime services.

AP Merin Services was founded in 2019.

As a journalist, I find AP Merin Services quite striking. From the emotional branding standpoint to the high energy and motivation I felt just talking with the Managing Director, Ts Surendaran, AP Merin Services stands out. There’s no question in my mind that the company delivers for its customers—it’s the sense of pride I get just doing this interview and learning about the company.

Interview Highlights

Q. What makes AP Merin Services a leading provider of marine services?

We, at AP Merin Services, offer a comprehensive suite of marine services and solutions. We have the know-how, experience, and network to ensure the success of shipping services. Moreover, we are specialized in a wide range of marine and technical consultancy services, engineering design, and drawings, including offshore and technical consultancy services for international clients.

Our key focus is Turnkey Projects—BWTS Retrofit, Project Management—New Building, Project Management—Drydocking & Repair, Engineering Design & Drawing, Ship Survey & Inspection, Offshore Consultancy, and Non-Destructive Testing.

Q. What do you think are the factors that contribute to your success?

Embracing change is important to our culture. Technology brings opportunity in new and different ways. We will continue to stay informed on the path this business changes in the future and continue to embrace that change as quickly as possible. As customers’ current problems are solved, it allows us to focus on the new ones that arise. Though I do not know what the next step will be, we will continue to focus on being our customer's first choice, a great place to work, and a great investment.

Additionally, having clear business plans, prioritising our goals to achieve, acquiring relevant education and skills, cultivating good habits, learning from mistakes, having a positive attitude, being open to new things, taking risks, etc. are a few of the factors that contribute to our success.

Q. Specialized services come with an expensive price tag. How do you maintain your affordability andprofitability?

There are five action items that we maintain to maximize growth, profitability, and value.

Develop a strategic plan: We plan to identify new opportunities and quickly deploy resources to seize those opportunities.

Grow customer base: We have made great strides in our commitment to expanding our customer base, but we still have a long road ahead.

Data Analytics: This is one of the vital components that contribute to our success. Undeniably, we make better decisions through data analytics.

Flexibility: To remain at the forefront, we take a flexible approach to real estate, which, in turn, impacts our operational efficiency positively.

Finally, as and when we sell our business, we will maximize our value.

Q. Where do you stand as a company in the current market landscape? And what are you doing to stay ahead of the curve?

AP Merin Services is in tune with the world of tomorrow—the sum and variety of our mandates constitute our know-how and operational excellence. What large companies experience as challenges is just a logical extension of our evolution — because the very essence of AP Merin is to continually adapt to new realities and new technologies in the workplace. This makes us more curious and resilient in an unpredictable, complex, and ambiguous environment. Supported by a dynamic team that is the backbone of the company, we provide our clients with a high level of service.

To answer your question, yes, we are growing steadily and fast in the current market landscape. And we are poised to lead from the front as we know our competitors, our customers, and continue to target new markets.

Q. Do you have any new services ready to be launched?

We are offering marine turnkey projects, including engineering design & retrofit of marine and offshore equipments.

Q. What does the future hold for your company and its customers? Are exciting things on the way?

With our extensive experience and technical know-how, we are capable of providing quality workmanship, timely completion, the best pricing, and safety. Additionally, by having equipment and ship supplies, backed by a team of experts, and highly qualified professionals, we, at AP Merin Services, are committed to delivering the most satisfactory services to our valued clients.

Moreover, we are into Digital Transformation—Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Increasing Automations, and Greater Specialisation.

Ts Surendaran | MD

Ts Surendaran is a seasoned UK registered professional and a Chartered Marine Engineer, who possesses over 20 years of experience in the maritime industry.

“By having equipments and ship supplies, backed by a team of experts, and highly qualified professionals, we, at AP Merin Services, are committed to delivering the most satisfactory services to our valued clients.”