The Challenge
Maintain centralized contract oversight across a global gas carrier fleet while eliminating communication silos between commercial teams.
The Solution
Establish IMOS as a unified commercial backbone and expand Shipfix across departments to connect workflows and streamline collaboration.
Key Results
- Improved reporting visibility and commercial decision-making
- Unified chartering, operations, and finance on one communications platform
- Enabled faster collaboration, including on-the-go mobile access
BW Epic Kosan: Powering Connected Gas Carrier Operations with IMOS + Shipfix
In an industry defined by tight margins and complex cargoes, gas carrier operators require systems that keep pace with operational demands. For BW Epic Kosan, this has meant reinforcing traditional strengths with modern digital workflows that enable collaboration, visibility, and efficiency across global teams.
In this interview, Huang Min, Team Leader of Operations, East at BW Epic Kosan (BWEK), explains how a long-standing partnership with IMOS has established a foundational backbone for contract and voyage management — and how the company’s recent adoption and scaling of Shipfix is elevating cross-team communication and transparency.
A commercial backbone built on IMOS
For a fleet transporting complex gas cargoes, centralized contract management and voyage oversight are essential. That’s why BW Epic Kosan implemented IMOS back in 2019. Since then, they have been steadily building operational depth and data strength within a centralized hub.
“IMOS has really become the backbone of how we manage contract and voyage execution.”
Huang Min,Team Leader of Operations East, BWEK
This strong and flexible backbone has created historical and real-time visibility that allows their teams to generate insightful reports and support smarter commercial decisions.
Because IMOS integrates smoothly with other digital solutions the company relies on, BWEK’s workflows remain streamlined across systems and global offices.
Bringing teams together on one platform
While IMOS anchors freight contract management, Shipfix has transformed collaboration across teams.
BWEK initially introduced Shipfix within commercial functions — chartering and operations specifically — before expanding usage more broadly across the organization.
“It really came down to the value of getting everyone on the same platform,” Min notes.
Even something as foundational as email communication can create silos when teams operate in separate systems. By consolidating communications into Shipfix, information now flows more freely between chartering, operations, finance, and other stakeholders.
The result is stronger alignment and greater operational synergy across departments.
Real-time collaboration, even on the go
Chartering and operations teams are in constant communication, and the quality of these exchanges can have a direct impact on voyage execution and commercial outcomes. Having access to the right information, at the right time, and in the right way, is what makes the difference.
“Shipfix gives us that flexibility to organize and access information the way that suits us best.”
Huang Min,Team Leader of Operations East, BWEK
The ability to quickly loop in additional stakeholders, whether from finance or other internal teams, contributes to faster, more informed decision-making.
Min also highlights the impact of mobility, shouting out the Shipfix mobile app for enabling their teams to stay connected and responsive, even while away from their desks. This ensures that critical updates and communications are never missed.
A smooth transition to a more modern platform
When BWEK first set out to modernize its communication workflows, Shipfix stood out for its intuitive and collaborative qualities. That ease carried through the implementation process as well.
“There was no problem getting people to use it — at all — and the transition was also smooth,” Min describes.
She also highlights the role of Veson’s team in supporting the process: “I would like to thank the integration manager, Gabriel, in assisting us to ensure the seamless transition.”
For companies considering a similar move, Min offers sage advice:
“Don’t be afraid to dive in. The more you get to know the system and customize the system to your own needs, the more you can get out of it.”
Huang Min,Team Leader of Operations East, BWEK
Unlocking advantage with IMOS and Shipfix together
Looking ahead, what excites Min most are the growing potentials for what IMOS and Shipfix can accomplish together.
“We have been using IMOS for a long time now, so we have been able to build a big database within IMOS,” Min says. “The potential to have deeper integration — whether it’s information from IMOS to Shipfix or the other way around — is exciting and could potentially make our workflow even more connected and efficient.”
For BW Epic Kosan, the combination of IMOS and Shipfix is more than a technology investment — it is a foundation for continued global coordination and stronger commercial performance across its gas carrier fleet.
