Direct Search Asia Launches in Singapore

A new recruitment business catering for the specialist recruitment needs in the shipping, maritime, logistics and oil and gas sectors has been launched in Singapore.

Headed up by Managing Director Jason Tay, Direct Search Asia will seek to deliver innovative and flexible recruitment solutions for partner companies in these key shipping sectors. It promises to treat businesses and individuals equally, “sharing information, challenging assumptions, maintaining open communications and operating with integrity”.

With offices strategically located in Singapore and the UK, Direct Search has set itself ambitious plans to provide a recruitment service covering shipping around the globe.

Direct Search Asia’s team of specialist recruiters come from diverse but relevant backgrounds such as seafaring; naval architecture; ship broking, marine surveying; and commodity trading. An essential quality when it comes to knowing who your client is looking for. As Jason Tay stressed, it is important to “treat our clients’ businesses as we would treat our own because it is all about partnership.”

He added: “We understand that a growing company needs great people onboard. Finding these people is what we do on a day-to-day basis. At Direct Search Asia our team is made up of specialists, each with their own sector expertise. Our in-depth understanding of our business and marketplace allows us to deliver the right candidate at the right time, whether recruiting for technical, commercial or engineering-related positions.”

Mr Tay said that Direct Search Asia chose Singapore as its headquarters because of the Lion City’s strength globally as a major international maritime centre. But in view of the volatile shipping markets, Direct Search Asia is adopting a cautiously optimistic approach to expansion. “It also helps to know that recruitment can be a fluid business when it needs to be. Leveraging on business relationships and legislation compliances, I anticipate “creative” partnerships happening. Such collaborations can help propel Direct Search Asia forward to create a regional influence within the shipping and maritime sector in Asia,” he continued.

To launch Direct Search Asia, the team hosted an exclusive launch party at Orgo @ The Esplanade on Thursday 30th October. Over 100 executives from Singapore's maritime and offshore industry attended the event. Companies such as American Bureau of Shipping, Bureau Veritas, BW Gas, Pacific Radiance, V.Ships, GAC, DDW-PaxOcean, Bibby Ship Management, Thome Ship Management, EMS Energy, Jebsen & Jessen Offshore, Willis and many others had representatives for attendance.