Technical Director (Tanker)

DIRECT SEARCH ASIA PTE. LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 260,000 - 380,000; Full time

Job summary

DIRECT SEARCH ASIA PTE. LTD. is seeking a senior technical leader to define and execute the technology strategy for a tanker fleet. You will manage Technical Managers, Superintendents, and specialist staff to ensure safe, compliant operations and reliable performance.

You will oversee annual budgets, major repairs, and large capital projects, while coordinating with regulators, shipyards, and service providers across an international network.

Qualifications

• Degree in Marine Engineering or related discipline required.
• Class 1 Certificate of Competency strongly preferred.
• 12–15 years maritime experience with significant shore-based leadership.
• Minimum five years in senior leadership roles (Tech Manager/ Fleet Manager/ Technical Director).
• Proven track record with oil/chemical/product tankers; dry-docking & major repairs.
• Solid knowledge of ISM, class rules, flag-state regulations and SIRE.
• Willingness to travel and oversee vessels, yards and projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the technical strategy for the tanker fleet.
• Lead Technical Managers, Superintendents, and supporting technical personnel.
• Ensure vessels operate safely, reliably and in compliance with regs.
• Monitor fleet performance, maintenance, and technical reliability.
• Oversee budgets, operating costs and cost-control initiatives.
• Review major repairs, defects and critical machinery failures.
• Lead dry-docking, fleet renewal, retrofit and major capex projects.
• Approve specs and evaluate shipyards, contractors and suppliers.
• Establish standards, policies, and procedures across the fleet.
• Ensure compliance with ISM, class, and international regs.
• Oversee inspections, audits, vetting and corrective actions.
• Monitor fuel efficiency and emissions-reduction initiatives.
• Support new technologies, alternative fuels and decarbonisation.
• Coordinate with marine, operations, crewing, procurement, finance, HSEQ and commercial teams.
• Maintain relationships with regulators, shipyards, manufacturers, service providers.
• Participate in emergency response and lead technical investigations.
• Support fleet acquisitions, newbuilds, takeovers and disposals.
• Develop technical personnel through coaching and performance management.
• Provide regular fleet-performance, budget, and risk reports to senior leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Budgeting

Project management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Negotiation

Travel willingness

Education

Marine Engineering degree

Marine Engineer Class 1 Certificate of Competency

Job description

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the technical strategy for the tanker fleet.
• Lead and manage Technical Managers, Superintendents and supporting technical personnel.
• Ensure vessels operate safely, reliably and in compliance with company and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor fleet performance, machinery condition, planned maintenance and technical reliability.
• Oversee annual technical budgets, operating expenditure and cost-control initiatives.
• Review major repairs, technical defects and critical machinery failures.
• Lead dry-docking, fleet-renewal, retrofit and major capital-expenditure projects.
• Approve technical specifications and evaluate shipyards, contractors and equipment suppliers.
• Establish consistent technical standards, policies and procedures across the fleet.
• Ensure compliance with class, flag-state, ISM and applicable international maritime regulations.
• Oversee vessel inspections, audits, surveys, vetting preparation and corrective actions.
• Monitor fuel efficiency, vessel performance and emissions-reduction initiatives.
• Support the implementation of new technologies, alternative fuels and decarbonisation projects.
• Review technical risks and ensure effective preventive and corrective measures are implemented.
• Coordinate with marine, operations, crewing, procurement, finance, HSEQ and commercial teams.
• Maintain relationships with classification societies, regulators, shipyards, manufacturers and key service providers.
• Participate in emergency response and lead technical investigations following serious incidents.
• Support fleet acquisitions, newbuilding projects, vessel takeovers and disposals when required.
• Develop technical personnel through coaching, succession planning and performance management.
• Provide regular fleet-performance, budget and risk reports to senior leadership.
• 10 years of experience in a Ship Management Firm

Requirements

• Degree in Marine Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Naval Architecture or a related discipline.
• Marine Engineer Class 1 Certificate of Competency is strongly preferred.
• Previous sailing experience as a Chief Engineer onboard tanker vessels.
• At least 12–15 years of relevant maritime experience, including significant shore-based technical-management experience.
• Minimum five years in a senior leadership role such as Technical Manager, Fleet Manager or Technical Director.
• Strong experience managing oil, chemical or product tankers.
• Proven track record in dry-docking, major repairs, technical budgeting and fleet-performance management.
• Strong knowledge of ISM, class requirements, flag-state regulations, SIRE and tanker-industry standards.
• Familiarity with dual-fuel systems, energy-efficiency technologies or decarbonisation initiatives would be advantageous.
• Strong leadership, commercial awareness and strategic decision-making capabilities.
• Effective communication, negotiation and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple vessels, projects and priorities in an international operating environment.
• Willingness to travel and attend vessels, shipyards and project sites when required.