Paolo Chilemme: Taking the Helm in Manila
Recently taking over from his colleague in Manila, Paolo Chilemme brings a global perspective, strong technical background, and a passion for people to his role as Owner’s Representative for 88 Aces Maritime Services Inc.
Born in Taranto, Italy, Paolo grew up in a uniquely international environment. His father’s job required frequent moves across Italy and abroad, including time in Mexico, Spain, Yugoslavia, Algeria, and Greece. This international upbringing gave Paolo an early appreciation for diverse cultures and helped him build the adaptability that now serves him well in the maritime industry.
His interest in shipping started at a young age, thanks to his Greek grandfather who ran a small shipping agency in Piraeus. Paolo spent his summer breaks helping at the agency—delivering documents to vessels and liaising with port authorities. These early experiences sparked his interest in maritime operations and set the course for his future.
After completing military service in Italy, Paolo made a significant decision. Instead of continuing with Electrotechnical Engineering, he moved to Greece to pursue shipping full-time. He studied at Proteus Shipping College in Piraeus and has since completed certifications in ISM, ISPS, MLC, ISO, and Internal Auditing. More recently, he has focused on human factors and behavior training, emphasizing the importance of people in creating a safe and effective crewing culture.
Paolo joined Optimum in January 2018 as an HSQ Superintendent, serving both the Bulker and Tanker fleets. In this role, he was responsible for conducting internal audits and delivering onboard training. In 2021, he added responsibilities as Alternate Company Security Officer (CSO) and Deputy Designated Person Ashore (DPA) for the Optra fleet. That same year, he also became an active member of the Scorpio Buddies team. In January 2025, he took over the helm role as Owner’s Representative at the 88 Aces office in Manila. He now splits his time between Athens and Manila.
Paolo’s current day-to-day work focuses on people. He oversees crewing strategies, works with senior staff to ensure smooth processes, and supports the deployment of qualified seafarers across Scorpio and third-party vessels. He also monitors KPIs and ensures alignment with principals’ expectations.
“What I enjoy most about my job is the daily connection with our seafarers and the opportunity to tackle and overcome the challenges we face together,” Paolo says. “In my new role, I aim to maintain this connection through weekly pre-departure briefings, using them as a platform to engage, support, and prepare our crew effectively.”
Paolo’s happiest memory was joining the team in 2018 after moving on from OSG. “It was a great opportunity to reunite and work again with colleagues I respect and enjoy collaborating with.” But it was delivering his first training session at a crew seminar in 2018, that he considers a defining moment: held in Manila and Vladivostok, Paolo recalls the experience of leading the sessions as both nerve-wracking and rewarding. “Seeing our seafarers genuinely engaged and enjoying the interactive sessions reminded me of the impact we can have when we connect, share knowledge, and grow together.”
This article featured in Beacon 28, Scorpio seafarers can access and download all issues of the Beacon from DocMap while onboard.
