As we celebrate 20 years of Marine Benefits, we are reflecting not only on the milestones we’ve achieved, but also on the people who have helped shape our journey. In this feature, we speak with colleagues who have been part of Marine Benefits for 10 years or more, getting their perspectives on what it has been like to grow alongside the company. They share their experiences, memorable moments, and reflections on how both Marine Benefits and the maritime industry have evolved over the years.
Apple May Laurice Postrado – Network Manager
Apple joined Marine Benefits as a Medical Care Coordinator in 2015 and has progressed through a number of roles before taking on the position of Network Manager. Having worked across both operational and strategic aspects of the business, she has been able to take on greater leadership responsibilities.
What is one milestone or achievement in Marine Benefits’ journey that stands out as particularly memorable or significant to you?
A milestone that stands out to me is Marinr Benefits response during the COVID-19 pandemic. During a particularly challenging time for global healthcare, we took a proactive approach to supporting our clients and members by extending coverage, closely monitoring member wellbeing, and ensuring uninterrupted access to quality healthcare and assistance services. This experience truly demonstrated our commitment to putting members first, and it was especially rewarding to see the trust and appreciation we earned from both our clients and members through these efforts.
What has kept you at Marine Benefits for 10 years, and what do you value most about being part of the company?
What has kept me at Marine Benefits for the past 10 years is its inclusive and supportive culture. It has encouraged me to grow through different roles, continuously develop my skills, and take on new challenges throughout my career. What I value most is being part of an organization that invests in its people, recognizes their contributions, and provides opportunities to build a meaningful and rewarding career.
From your own experience, what do you think makes Marine Benefits different from other companies?
What makes Marine Benefits different from other companies is that we genuinely put people at the center of everything we do. We are not just focused on providing healthcare insurance services, but on creating meaningful support for our members, clients, partners, and employees. Marine Benefits is a business with a heart, where people and relationships are valued as much as the business success.
Dianne Alvaro – Senior MCC
Dianne joined Marine Benefits in 2014 as a Medical Care Coordinator and has since progressed to the role of Senior Medical Care Coordinator. Today, she supports both the medical team and claims operations, helping ensure members receive timely, high-quality assistance. Over the past 12 years, she has taken on an increasingly broad range of responsibilities, gaining valuable insight into both our business and the needs of our members.
What do you remember most about Marine Benefits when you first joined, and how has the company evolved over the past 20 years?
Over the years, I have witnessed growth and transformation within Marine Benefits. From a small team of only six Medical Care Coordinators and a limited number of plan policies, the company has expanded significantly. Throughout the years, there have been many challenges, including changes in employees, clients, and processes, but the company has consistently demonstrated resilience and determination, most evident during the pandemic. Instead of slowing down, the company continued to support its workforce and create opportunities for expansion.
What aspects of Marine Benefits’ culture, values or impact are most important to you?
The culture of teamwork, trust, and continuous improvement creates an environment where people feel valued and motivated to contribute to the company’s success. Knowing that the organization genuinely cares about its employees gives me a sense of pride in being part of the team.
From your own experience, what do you think makes Marine Benefits different from other companies?
I think it is its genuine care for its employees. During a difficult time in my life, when I faced health challenges, the company supported me beyond the coverage of our medical plan. For that, I will always be grateful. This experience showed me that Marine Benefits is more than just a workplace but a family built on trust, compassion, and support. That is why I am proud to be part of this organization.
Steafan Andreasson – Chief Underwriting Officer
Stefan joined Marine Benefits in 2013 as a Key Account Manager. At the time, the company had just two employees in Bergen, fewer than 20 in Manila, and served around 17,000 members. Over the past 13 years, Stefan has grown alongside the company, which now employs more than 130 people and provides services to over 230,000 individuals worldwide. As his role has evolved, he has taken on greater strategic responsibility, including client relationships, underwriting, and supporting the continued growth and development of Marine Benefits.
How have the needs of shipowners, seafarers, and the maritime industry changed since you started, and how has Marine Benefits responded to those changes?
When I joined Marine Benefits in 2013, the shipping industry was still feeling the effects of the global financial crisis. There was significant pressure on margins and profitability, and shipowners had a strong focus on cost control. Between 2016 and 2018, the situation began to change. Shipowners increasingly started to invest in initiatives that could help them become more attractive employers and improve the wellbeing of their crew.
At Marine Benefits, we have always worked closely with our clients. Together, we have developed products, service concepts, and solutions that support their daily operations and address the challenges they face. Over the years, our Medical Plan has evolved from being a “nice-to-have” benefit to becoming a business-critical solution. Today, it is viewed by many shipowners as an essential tool for attracting and retaining crew, improving employee wellbeing, and ensuring access to quality healthcare worldwide.
What makes you proud to be part of Marine Benefits?
Although I have been with the company for more than thirteen years, it still feels as though I started yesterday. It has been a fun, rewarding, and enjoyable journey. What I am most proud of during my years at Marine Benefits is our ability to stay on our toes and our constant focus on improvement and innovation.
From your own experience, what do you think makes Marine Benefits different from other companies?
What sets us apart from other health insurance providers is our exclusive focus on seafarers. Our products and services are specifically developed to meet the needs of seafarers and their dependents in the best possible way. As I have been seafarer myself, I now the importance of tailormade solutions for the industry.
Claire Rosales – Senior MCC
Claire joined Marine Benefits in 2016 as a Medical Coordinator and has since progressed to Senior Medical Care Coordinator. In her role, she supports clients and members worldwide, coordinating medical cases, reviewing coverage requests, and facilitating claims handling. Over the past 10 years, she has taken on increasingly complex cases and developed extensive expertise in case management, provider coordination, and policy interpretation.
What is one milestone or achievement in Marine Benefits’ journey that stands out as particularly memorable or significant to you?
For me, it was how Marine Benefits responded during the pandemic. Marine Benefits ensured that members continued to receive quality healthcare despite the challenges at the time, and no one was left without assistance. The company also demonstrated genuine care, not only for its members but also for the safety and wellbeing of its employees.
What aspects of Marine Benefits’ culture, values or impact are most important to you?
To me, the values of Care and Equality are what make Marine Benefits
truly special. I appreciate being part of an organization where people are treated with respect, supported in their growth, and given equal opportunities to succeed. Working closely with members during difficult times, it is rewarding to know that the same level of care and compassion extends to employees as well.
What does it mean to you personally to know that our daily work protects so many seafarers worldwide?
To me, it is very meaningful to know that our work helps protect seafarers and their families around the world. They spend months away from their loved ones, missing birthdays, holidays, and everyday family milestones. It is rewarding to be able to support them and provide peace of mind when they need medical assistance.
Rebecca Hayes Mejia – Public Health Manager
Rebecca joined Marine Benefits in 2016, where she has lead Marine Benefits’ public health and research work, including international seafarer surveys, health-promotion programmes, and evidence-based tools and strategies. Her role has evolved from programme delivery to broader scientific and strategic leadership, with responsibility for research, innovation, paternship, and turning health data into practical value. She also recently completed her PhD on seafarer health and wellbeing, which is completed alongside her fulltime job at Marine Benefits.
How have the needs of shipowners, seafarers, and the maritime industry changed since you started, and how has Marine Benefits responded to those changes?
When I started, health and wellbeing received little attention in the maritime industry and were often seen as personal matters, and nothing a shipping company should be involved in. Even before the pandemic, this shifted as companies recognised the strategic importance of health for both seafarers and the business. Marine Benefits responded both through its health insurances and programmes such as Re:fresh and Re:start, where I am closely involved.
What has kept you at Marine Benefits for 10 years, and what do you value most about being part of the company?
I began working from the Manila office when Marine Benefits had just 38 employees, including only five in Bergen. What has kept me here is the close-knit culture, the strong sense of belonging, and the fact that I genuinely enjoy my work. I have fun working with colleagues and clients, value being part of a supportive team with a shared purpose, and appreciate the freedom to be creative in my role.
What does it mean to you personally to know that our daily work protects so many seafarers worldwide?
It gives me a strong sense of purpose to know that our shared commitment makes a real difference in the lives of seafarers and their families. Our work provides access to care, reassurance and security while seafarers are at sea, while the proactive health-promotion work I am involved in helps protect and improve their health over time.
Richelle S. Manliguez – Client Operations Manager
Richell joined Marine Benefits in 2016, beginning her journey as an on-the-job trainee before securing a permanent role as a Cards Officer. Over the past decade, she has progressed through several positions within the client services team and was promoted to Client Operations Manager in 2026. Today, she oversees client operations and service delivery across the Asia-Singapore and Greece-Cyprus regions, supporting both clients and teams to ensure high service standards.
How has Marine Benefits helped shape your career, skills, or personal development over the years?
Over the years at Marine Benefits, I have grown both personally and professionally. Having progressed from Cards Officer to Client Operations Manager, I have experienced every stage of the operational journey. My responsibilities have continued to evolve, particularly as I have taken on the responsibility of leading my team.
What has kept you at Marine Benefits for 10 years, and what do you value most about being part of the company?
What has kept me here for 10 years is the company’s genuine appreciation for its employees. I value its strong core values, which apply to everyone across the organization. The open-door culture also gives employees the opportunity to share their ideas, express their views, and feel heard.