Senior Manager/Assistant Vice-President (Fleet Management)

RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Management & Vessel Performance

• Lead and ensure all container vessels comply with Class, Flag State, Port State Control, statutory, charter, and operational requirements.

• Oversee implementation and effectiveness of the Planned Maintenance System (PMS), ensuring machinery reliability and operational availability.

• Monitor, analyse, and benchmark vessel performance including fuel consumption, machinery condition, defects, and efficiency KPIs.

• Provide professional guidance, coaching, and technical direction to Masters and Chief Engineers.

Safety, Quality & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with ISM, ISPS, MLC, SOLAS, MARPOL, and company safety management systems.

• Support and lead preparation for internal audits, external audits, vetting inspections, and regulatory inspections.

• Investigate incidents, near misses, machinery failures, and non-conformities, ensuring root cause analysis and effective corrective and preventive actions.

Dry Docking, Special Surveys & Major Repairs

• Strategically plan, budget, and manage dry dockings, special surveys, and major repair projects.

• Prepare and review technical specifications, tender documents, budgets, and execution schedules.

• Evaluate and select shipyards, service providers, and contractors.

• Supervise dockings to ensure quality, cost, safety, and schedule control, including post-docking close-out of defects and Class conditions.

Budgeting, Financial & Cost Control

• Prepare, manage, and control annual OPEX and CAPEX budgets for the fleet.

• Review and approve repair strategies with a balanced cost-versus-risk assessment, including deferments where appropriate.

• Review and approve quotations, invoices, and variation orders, ensuring transparency and cost efficiency.

Procurement & Inventory Management

• Work closely with the Procurement team to ensure timely acquisition of spares, stores, and technical services as well as approve critical spares and long-lead items.

• Ensure vessels maintain minimum safe inventory levels.

• Partner Procurement to manage vendors and evaluate supplier performance.

Fleet Reliability & Defect Management

• Monitor fleet-wide defect trends, recurring failures, and reliability indicators.

• Ensure timely rectification of Conditions of Class, deficiencies, and audit findings.

• Authorise superintendent attendance and specialist support when required.

• Maintain robust technical records, defect close-out documentation, and incident reports.

Container-Specific Technical Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with the CSC Convention and container safety requirements.

• Provide oversight of reefer machinery, monitoring systems, and PTI standards.

• Ensure certification, inspection, maintenance, and testing of lashing equipment.

• Address stack weight limits, structural integrity, and cargo-related technical risks.

• Coordinate with Terminal Operations on cargo damage, reefer failures, and related claims.

Crew Management & Development

• Participate in recruitment, evaluation, and development of crew.

• Review and assess Master and Chief Engineer performance and technical competence.

• Identify training needs and support familiarisation programs for new equipment and systems.

• Address MLC-related matters affecting crew accommodation, welfare, and working conditions.

Emergency Response & Incident Support

• Act as shore-based incident response lead during machinery casualties, breakdowns, and emergencies.

• Liaise with Class, Flag State, insurers, P&I Clubs, and external stakeholders.

• Ensure structured root cause analysis, lessons learned, and fleet-wide dissemination.

Leadership & Reporting

• Lead, mentor, and develop Managers and Superintendents.

• Provide regular fleet performance, risk, and cost reports to senior management.

• Drive continuous improvement of procedures, technical standards, and best practices.

• Lead or support fleet expansion initiatives, including vessel takeovers, transitions, and newbuild deliveries.

Competency Development & Training (Marine Engineers)

• Conduct competency audits of shipboard marine engineers across the container ship and harbour tug fleets.

• Lead competency development, training, and upskilling programs for marine engineers.

• Review, enhance, and standardise training syllabi (classroom and OJT) to align with operational and regulatory requirements.

Vessel Design & Newbuilding Projects

• Participate in vessel design reviews and newbuilding project workstreams, including specification development, construction supervision, commissioning, and sea trials.

• Translate operational and hands-on experience into practical, efficient, and maintainable vessel designs.

• Support continuous improvement of newbuilding and design processes.

REQUIREMENTS

• Certificate of Competency (CoC) Class 1 Marine Engineer Officer or equivalent

• 6 to 8 years of sea-going experience onboard container ships

• 4 to 6 years of shore-based experience in technical or fleet management of container vessels (preferred)

• Strong technical knowledge of container ship systems, dry docking, procurement, and budget management

• Sound knowledge and practical application of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC)

• Proven leadership, decision-making, and stakeholder management capabilities

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence at all levels

• Resilient, adaptable, and effective in a fast-paced operational environment

• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365, particularly Excel and Word