Technical Director - Tanker Fleet

Salling Search; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

JobAdder Operations Pty in UAE seeks a Technical Director, Tanker Fleet to own the technical performance of a growing tankers fleet. You will lead fleet managers, set maintenance standards, and ensure class, vetting, and port state compliance with the CEO directly.

You will front audits (TMSA/ISM/ISO), drive SMS effectiveness on board, and translate technical strategy into boardroom decisions. The role requires deep tanker expertise and a proven track record reporting to a CEO.

Qualifications

• Senior maritime leadership with 10 years in ship management.
• Hands-on tanker experience with knowledge of PMS software.
• Experience leading TMSA/ISM/ISO audits.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical performance of the fleet: maintenance, dry-docking, class and statutory compliance, and detentions avoidance.
• Lead fleet managers and superintendents, set maintenance and environmental standards, and oversee contractors.
• Front audits (TMSA, ISM, ISO) and ensure SMS is properly implemented on board, not just on paper.
• Report to the CEO and translate technical strategy into actionable plans as the fleet grows.

Job description

Lead technical management of a significant tanker fleet for a Gulf-based owner. Direct line to the CEO. UAE based.

29th September, 2026

Technical Director, Tanker Fleet
UAE A Gulf-headquartered owner with a significant tanker fleet trading across several continents wants one person accountable for the technical condition of every vessel. The Technical Director reports straight to the CEO and answers for whether ships clear vetting, class and port state inspection without incident. This is a seat close to the top, and a fleet that is still growing.

The role

• Own the technical performance of the fleet: planned maintenance, the dry-docking programme, class and statutory compliance, and keeping every vessel free of detentions.
• Lead the fleet managers and superintendents who look after both in-house and outsourced vessels. Set the maintenance and environmental standards, and hold contractors and surveyors to them.
• Front the TMSA, ISM and ISO audits yourself, and make the SMS work on board, not just on paper. As the fleet grows, take the technical strategy to the CEO.
• A detention or a failed vetting lands directly on earnings and reputation, so this is a role for someone who has carried that accountability before.

29th September, 2026

Technical Director, Tanker Fleet
UAE A Gulf-headquartered owner with a significant tanker fleet trading across several continents wants one person accountable for the technical condition of every vessel. The Technical Director reports straight to the CEO and answers for whether ships clear vetting, class and port state inspection without incident. This is a seat close to the top, and a fleet that is still growing.

The role

• Own the technical performance of the fleet: planned maintenance, the dry-docking programme, class and statutory compliance, and keeping every vessel free of detentions.
• Lead the fleet managers and superintendents who look after both in-house and outsourced vessels. Set the maintenance and environmental standards, and hold contractors and surveyors to them.
• Front the TMSA, ISM and ISO audits yourself, and make the SMS work on board, not just on paper. As the fleet grows, take the technical strategy to the CEO.
• A detention or a failed vetting lands directly on earnings and reputation, so this is a role for someone who has carried that accountability before.

The right person

• Required: You came up the traditional route. You sailed to Chief Engineer (at least five years in rank), moved ashore, and worked up to Technical Director, with roughly ten years in ship management leading fleet managers.
• Required: Deep tanker experience, with hands-on knowledge of oil tankers. You know PMS software properly and have led a TMSA, ISM or ISO audit.
• Required: You have reported directly to a CEO. You give a clear technical position, back it with facts, and hold it under commercial pressure. You develop your superintendents and travel to vessels and offices when it matters.

Why this role

You would run the technical function of an owner-operator, with a direct line to the CEO and the authority to set standards across the whole fleet. It is based in the UAE, with travel to vessels and company locations.