In light of World Engineering Day 2022, we caught up with Ken Montgomery, a graduate of MLA College and spoke about how studying the MSc Engineering for Professionals programme with MLA College has benefitted him and his career.
Tell us a little about your career to date and your level of industry experience
I am currently an LNG Technical Superintendent where I am responsible for the day-to-day technical management of one LNG steam vessel and one X-DF LNG tri-fuel vessel. I manage the vessels’ technical and operational performance, and ensure they are operated safely, comply with all maritime legislation, particularly in respect of safety and the environment, as well as charter party T&Cs. This includes safety, environmental compliance, reliability, OPEX budgeting and management, planning, and budgeting dry dockings, repairs, and upgrades. I am also responsible for KPI implementation and monitoring, and act as the flag state and classification society contact point.
I started my careers as seagoing Marine Engineer on LNG vessels and spent a year with an LNG consultancy working on FSRU conversions prior to working with in vessel superintendency.
What motivated you to study the MSc Engineering for Marine Professionals with MLA College?
I wanted to study a subject that would add value to my career and give me the educational backing to manage a large-scale project. As this was distance learning, I was able to complete it while I was working on LNG vessels as a Marine Engineer, allowing me to make full use of my free time onboard for studies that advanced my learning – this being a huge incentive as it was quite difficult at the time to take a year out of work to pursue this degree.
Can you provide a brief synopsis of your research project and area of investigation and how this was incorporated or helped your workplace
My MSc Engineering thesis researched retro-fitting BOG reliquefaction plants to LNG carriers. I analysed the technical feasibility and economic viability of doing so in a number of different market scenarios. Fortunately, I was working on LNG carriers at the time and was given direct access to the technical data I required to conduct my research.
Because of my learning and knowledge of LNG reliquefaction and regasification in my MSc degree I was appointed to assist a client as the FSRU Technical Specialist for FSRU conversions, on Moss-Rosenberg Conventional Steam Turbine LNG carriers for my first shore based job after leaving the sea.
How has gaining this qualification helped your career?
Ship management is a dynamic industry in a highly competitive and rapidly evolving world that continually faces new challenges. To be a market leader, win profitable business and retain high standard clients, ship management companies need to employ managers who are commercially orientated, analytical, able to think critically, and make impactful decisions that will place them ahead of their competitors.
Due to my self-attained and accredited knowledge from my MSc, I was able to attend an LNG carrier upgrade in Singapore as the project manager coordinating the retrofit of a Turbo Brayton reliquefication plant on a Dual Fuel Diesel Electric LNG Carrier.
Can you provide details of gaining the Chartership with the IMarEST.
Currently I am and Incorporated Engineer with IMarEST awaiting my Chartered Engineer interview in March 2022. A significant part of the Professional Report requires candidates to share their academic background and how it has helped their career – the MSc with MLA has been extremely beneficial to my application for Chartership.
Applications are now being accepted for our May 2022 intake for the MSc Engineering for Marine Professionals as well as all other programmes.
If you have any questions about our programmes, please drop us a line at info@mla.ac.uk.
