For some, the sea isn’t just a view – it is a part of their everyday life. Aleksejs Halavins is one such man.
Born in Riga, Latvia, Alex Halavins studied at the Latvian Maritime Academy and later excelled in fleet management and vessel operations. He has travelled to countries such as Cyprus, the UAE, and others, handling tasks such as inspecting ships, looking after logistics, and ensuring all safety regulations are followed. In addition to his professional work, he is actively involved in yachting and regularly participates in sailing regattas, where he has achieved prize-winning results.
As the son of a seafarer, Halavins has been familiar with vessels of various types since childhood. This early exposure to the sea shaped his perspective of the world.
Management Principles from Biography of Aleksejs Halavins
In the dynamic world of today’s maritime industry, skill shortage is one of the prime concerns faced by organizations. Aleksejs Halavins provides tips on hiring and promoting camaraderie among the crew.
Hiring the right people: The shipping industry is a very conservative business. Unlike many other sectors, seafaring needs highly-skilled employees with specific skills. It is a profession that is usually passed down from one generation to another. In Greece, for example, most companies in this sector are family businesses running for two or even three generations. Halavins believes companies must hire people based on their competence levels and attitude towards life, regardless of their nationality; he suggests giving preference to candidates who have a passion for sailing.
Leading from the front: Aleksejs Halavins is a person who likes to be a “showrunner”, as he calls it. “A showrunner is a person who tries to keep an eye on everything, cheers everyone up, and makes sure that everything is working properly. This is especially important in our sector, and as we can see from the results, we are doing it very effectively,” he affirms.
Teamwork: “Teamwork is the foundation of success in yachting. You can recruit the most beautiful people, but if there is no sense of unity among them, it will be of no use. I am very proud to say that we have a relatively permanent team, named as “Mumu”, based on Ivan Turgenev’s famous novel,” says Halavins.
Promoting genuine conversations: Aleksejs Halavins believes in holding impromptu meets with his crewmen. He says it gives a pleasant feeling when he gets to meet people with whom he had studied and worked earlier. The maritime expert also opines that taking good care of employees is one of the primary tasks of a manager. “The management must understand that working at sea might be dangerous. And they must make every effort to know the feelings of their employees, both on board and on shore. This helps in resolving differences, if any, in the early stages itself,” he shares.
Work hard, party harder: “We won gold more than once at some of the world’s largest competitions held in Greece and Turkey. This was made possible due to the efforts of my fantastic team. A big kudos to them,” exclaims Aleksejs Halavins. Over the past few years, he has developed a unique tradition – hosting signature yacht trips that bring together close friends, many of whom happen to be distinguished actors and musicians. Recently, in September 2025, Halavins’ team took part in the event held in the Ionian Islands, Greece. Guests were regaled with exotic dinners, soulful music nights by famous musicians and a playful wedding show that turned every participant into a bride, groom, or guest.
“It must be remembered that the sea is a great breeder of friendship. Two men who have known each other for twenty years find that twenty days at sea bring them nearer than ever they were before…” goes a quote. In the biography of Aleksejs Halavins, this is more than just a saying – It is a way of life.
