Head – Marine Operations

Alliance Recruitment Agency; Chennai District; On-site; INR 17,274,000 - 26,871,000; Full time

Job summary

Alliance Recruitment Agency seeks a senior maritime operations leader to oversee international fleet performance and regulatory compliance. The role requires strategic planning, maintenance oversight, and collaboration with stakeholders across India and Singapore.

Strong leadership, risk management, and the ability to drive cost efficiency are essential. Prior experience with chemical tankers and ISM/SOLAS/MARPOL familiarity is highly valued.

Qualifications

• Master Mariner (FG) or Chief Engineer with valid CoC.
• 15–20 years of maritime operations experience.
• Hands-on exposure to chemical tankers and international fleet management.
• Familiarity with Indian and Singaporean regulatory regimes.

Responsibilities

• Strategic oversight of fleet operations for vessels under an international subsidiary.
• Regulatory and safety compliance with ISM, SOLAS, MARPOL, and DG Shipping.
• Technical and maintenance oversight including dry-docking and preventive work.
• Commercial support with voyage planning and cost-efficiency analysis.
• Budgeting of OPEX, dry-docking, and insurance in India and Singapore.
• Lead cross-border teams and engage with authorities, ports, and brokers.
• Lead due diligence for vessel acquisitions and smooth integration.

Skills

Strategic fleet management

Regulatory compliance

Operational leadership

Cross-border coordination

Budgeting & cost control

Education

Master Mariner (FG) or Chief Engineer with CoC

Job description

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Oversight of Fleet OperationsSupervise performance and daily operations of vessels managed under an international subsidiary, in close coordination with local managers and chartering stakeholders.Oversee barge operations in India, including construction supervision, maintenance, port logistics, and inland movement.
2. Regulatory and Safety ComplianceEnsure full compliance with international maritime regulations, including Singapore MPA, flag state requirements, classification societies, and IMO mandates.Oversee domestic regulatory compliance with DG Shipping, ISPS, state maritime boards, and environmental laws for Indian operations.Lead adherence to ISM Code, SOLAS, MARPOL, OCIMF guidelines, and manage SIRE inspections.
3. Technical & Maintenance OversightCoordinate dry-docking, preventive maintenance, and repair activities via internal teams or third-party technical managers.Monitor machinery uptime, optimize hull and engine performance, and control spares and bunker usage.
4. Commercial and Voyage PerformanceSupport the chartering function through technical input on voyage planning, laytime/demurrage, and operational cost-efficiency analysis.Drive voyage-level performance tracking and improvement across vessel types.
5. Budgeting and Financial ControlsDevelop and manage vessel-level OPEX, dry-docking budgets, and insurance costs in coordination with finance teams in India and Singapore.Implement cost control mechanisms to ensure budget adherence.
6. Leadership & Stakeholder EngagementLead cross-border, multi-functional teams across India and Singapore.Cultivate strong working relationships with classification societies, maritime authorities, ports, crewing partners, and technical consultants.
7. Vessel Acquisition & Fleet ExpansionLead technical due diligence for new acquisitions, including inspections and negotiations for both newbuild and secondhand vessels.Liaise with brokers, shipyards, legal advisors, and financial institutions for vessel procurement and delivery.Ensure smooth integration of new vessels into operations and compliance systems.

Qualifications & Experience

Master Mariner (FG) or Chief Engineer with valid CoC preferred; experienced senior marine professionals with strong operational backgrounds will be considered.15-20 years of experience in maritime operations with hands-on exposure to chemical tankers and international fleet management.Familiarity with both Indian and Singaporean maritime regulatory regimes is highly desirable.

Key Skills

Strategic and operational fleet management (international and domestic)Technical and maintenance oversightRegulatory compliance and risk managementFinancial planning and commercial acumenStrong leadership and stakeholder coordination across borders