Meet Nicholas Yap, Marine Supply Coordinator, AP Basestocks and Specialties

Basestocks Global Expertise Showcase

ExxonMobil Basestocks has an expansive global network dedicated to its customers. Numerous men and women are working hard behind the scenes to bring “engineered fluids” to market. Meet one of our own, Nicholas Yap, a Marine Supply Coordinator based in Singapore, as he shares his perspective on how he handles adversity, manages customer expectations, meets customer needs and thinks through solutions for customer service applications.

Q: What made you want to try your hand at supply coordination, and what has been your favorite part so far?

I have always been intrigued by the far-reaching capability of our global supply network and its ability to move product seamlessly. I was drawn to supply coordination specifically because I wanted to better appreciate and understand the critical work that happens behind the scenes to make this possible.

I’ve been in my current position for nearly three years now, and my favorite part is that I am empowered to optimize our time-chartered vessels to create business value and compete in the marketplace.

Nothing beats the satisfaction I feel when I get to create business value by offering world-class supply reliability to customers.

Q: What factors do you consider when deciding how to best serve client needs while also ensuring the reliable supply of quality products?

There are a lot of factors to consider when coordinating supply, especially when it comes to marine movements. Some factors that I consider include regional weather patterns, which are critical for sailing speed, port operations and vessel movements; vessel itineraries, which are vital for scheduling; and the reputations of vessel owners, which are important to ensure delivery of goods on time and undamaged.

We are relentless in our pursuit for freight optimization, so my mantra is to find the right balance between fulfilling customers’ expectations and leveraging our global optimized logistics network as much as possible.

Q: Coordinating interzone marine movements is undoubtedly complex. What is the most difficult pain point to deal with, and how do you ensure integration and satisfaction among all involved parties?

A sudden swing in demand can be complicated, especially if other issues like inclement weather, berth congestion or port restrictions arise.

It’s important to stay vigilant as we attempt to ensure the full integration and satisfaction of customers. Generally, we try to keep our vessels optimized at all points, as well as include weekly touchpoint sessions and common spreadsheets to keep everyone accountable and up to date with the latest information. This allows us to build in valuable support and buffers for our vessels.