Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Marine Manager

🎯 Role Definition

As our Marine Manager, you will be the strategic linchpin of our fleet operations. You will provide expert leadership and technical guidance to ensure our vessels operate safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with international and local maritime laws. This pivotal role involves overseeing everything from day-to-day vessel movements and crew management to long-term maintenance planning and budget oversight. You will be directly responsible for upholding our company's reputation for excellence and ensuring the operational readiness and commercial viability of your assigned fleet.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Marine Superintendent
Port Captain / Port Manager
Senior Officer (Master Mariner / Chief Officer) with initial shore experience
Technical Superintendent

Advancement To:

Director of Marine Operations
Fleet Manager / General Manager of Fleet Operations
Vice President of Operations
Regional Director

Lateral Moves:

HSEQ (Health, Safety, Environment, Quality) Manager
Chartering Manager
Marine Projects Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Oversee the complete operational and technical management of an assigned fleet, ensuring vessels are operated at the highest standards of safety, performance, and environmental compliance.
Act as the primary point of contact and authority for vessel Masters, providing 24/7 support and decisive guidance on all operational, safety, and crewing matters.
Guarantee unwavering adherence to the company’s Safety Management System (SMS) and full compliance with all international regulations, including ISM, ISPS, SOLAS, and MARPOL.
Develop, manage, and meticulously control vessel operating budgets (OPEX), tracking expenditures against forecasts and implementing strategic cost-saving initiatives without compromising safety or quality.
Plan, coordinate, and execute vessel dry-dockings, major repairs, and special surveys, managing the entire project lifecycle from specification writing and shipyard negotiation to on-site supervision and final cost reconciliation.
Conduct regular vessel visits, onboard inspections, and performance audits to assess operational readiness, crew competency, and overall condition of the vessel.
Lead comprehensive incident investigations and root cause analyses, developing and implementing robust corrective and preventive action plans to mitigate future risks and drive continuous improvement.
Proactively manage all Port State Control (PSC), Flag State, and Class Society inspections, ensuring vessels are fully prepared and any identified deficiencies are rectified swiftly and effectively.
Serve as the key interface with charterers, clients, oil majors, and other external stakeholders, ensuring service delivery consistently meets and exceeds contractual requirements and expectations.
Supervise, mentor, and develop a team of Marine/Vessel Superintendents, fostering a collaborative culture of accountability, safety, and professional growth.
Monitor, analyze, and report on key vessel performance indicators (KPIs), including fuel consumption, speed, and passage execution, to identify and implement optimization strategies.
Oversee crewing-related functions in close collaboration with the crewing department, including the selection, promotion, and performance evaluation of senior officers.
Develop and approve complex voyage plans, taking into account weather routing, security risks, and cargo requirements to ensure safe, efficient, and economical transit.
Manage the vetting process for the assigned fleet, responding to questionnaires and ensuring vessels maintain approvals from oil majors and other key industry bodies.
Stay at the forefront of emerging maritime regulations, technologies, and industry best practices, assessing their impact and integrating them into company policies and fleet operations.
Prepare and deliver detailed operational reports, performance analyses, and budget variance explanations to senior leadership.
Coordinate and lead emergency response efforts for the assigned fleet, acting as a key figure in the company's Emergency Response Team during drills and actual incidents.
Ensure all vessel statutory, trading, and class certificates are valid and renewed in a timely manner to prevent any disruption to commercial operations.
Champion and embed a proactive "zero-incident" safety culture across the fleet, promoting safety awareness, robust training, and behavioral-based safety programs.
Handle the technical and operational aspects of marine insurance claims (P&I and H&M), including evidence collection, surveyor coordination, and claim file preparation.
Evaluate and manage operational risks associated with new trades, ports, or non-standard cargo operations, implementing rigorous risk assessments and mitigation strategies.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to inform strategic decisions.
Contribute to the organization's long-term data strategy and digital transformation roadmap.
Collaborate with business units, including commercial and finance, to translate operational needs into tangible requirements and financial outcomes.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the broader operations team.
Assist in the pre-purchase inspection and technical evaluation of potential vessel acquisitions.
Mentor junior shore-side staff, such as assistant superintendents or operational coordinators, to build organizational capability.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Deep Maritime Regulatory Knowledge: Expert-level understanding of international maritime conventions and codes (ISM, ISPS, SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC).
Vessel-Specific Expertise: Proven experience with specific vessel types (e.g., LNG/LPG, Chemical/Product Tankers, Bulk Carriers, Container Ships, or OSVs).
Project Management: Demonstrable skill in managing complex projects, particularly dry-docking, major repairs, and retrofits, on time and within budget.
Audit & Inspection Proficiency: Extensive experience with Port State Control, Class, Flag, and industry vetting inspections (e.g., SIRE 2.0, RightShip).
Incident Investigation: Formal training and practical experience in marine incident investigation techniques and Root Cause Analysis (RCA).
Financial Management: Strong command of vessel OPEX budgeting, forecasting, and financial variance analysis.
Vessel Performance Analysis: Ability to use fleet management software and performance data to drive efficiency gains in fuel consumption and voyage execution.
Marine Insurance Acumen: Solid understanding of P&I and Hull & Machinery (H&M) insurance policies and claims handling procedures.
-Emergency Response & Crisis Management: Proven ability to lead and perform effectively under pressure during maritime emergencies.
Technical Systems Knowledge: Proficiency with modern maritime software, including Planned Maintenance Systems (PMS), fleet management platforms, and digital compliance tools.

Soft Skills

Inspirational Leadership: Ability to lead, motivate, and manage both shipboard and shore-based teams effectively.
Exceptional Communication: Clear, concise, and persuasive communication skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders from the engine room to the boardroom.
Decisive Problem-Solving: A logical and analytical approach to solving complex operational challenges swiftly and effectively.
Stakeholder Management: Adept at building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, regulators, crew, and internal departments.
Commercial Acumen: A strong understanding of the commercial drivers of the shipping industry and their impact on vessel operations.
Resilience & Composure: The ability to remain calm, focused, and decisive in high-pressure and crisis situations.
Strategic Thinking: Capacity to think beyond day-to-day operations and contribute to the long-term strategic direction of the fleet.
Unwavering Commitment to Safety: A genuine, demonstrable passion for and commitment to the highest standards of health, safety, and environmental protection.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

A Bachelor's Degree in a relevant discipline OR a Class 1 (Master Mariner) or Class 1 (Chief Engineer) Certificate of Competency.

Preferred Education:

A Master's Degree in Maritime Studies, Shipping & Logistics, Business Administration (MBA), or a related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Maritime Studies / Marine Transportation
Marine Engineering / Naval Architecture
Business Administration
Logistics & Supply Chain Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

A minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience within the maritime industry, including at least 3-5 years in a shore-based vessel management role (e.g., Marine Superintendent, Port Captain).

Preferred:

Previous sea-going experience as a Senior Officer (Master or Chief Officer) is highly desirable and considered a significant advantage. Direct experience managing the specific vessel types in our fleet is strongly preferred.