Technical Manager (Tankers)

Direct Search Global; Singapore; On-site; SGD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Direct Search Global seeks an experienced Fleet Technical Manager to lead the technical management of LPG, gas and chemical tanker fleets. You will be responsible for vessel reliability, asset integrity, regulatory compliance, maintenance performance and technical expenditure.

This senior leadership role requires extensive seagoing experience and a proven track record managing Technical Superintendents, dry dockings, budgets and major technical projects. Travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Significant seagoing experience aboard LPG, gas or chemical tankers.
• Strong knowledge of tanker machinery and cargo-handling systems.
• Experience managing Technical Superintendents, dry dockings and capital projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for the assigned fleet and ensure safe, reliable operations.
• Establish fleet-wide technical strategies, maintenance standards and priorities.
• Guide Technical Superintendents and vessel-management teams on complex issues.
• Oversee vessel condition, machinery reliability, and technical risks.
• Monitor KPIs, maintenance performance and off-hire trends.
• Lead root-cause investigations and implement corrective actions.
• Oversee dry dockings, major repairs, conversions and capital projects.
• Ensure compliance with IMO, class, flag, statutory, customer and terminal requirements.
• Prepare reports on fleet performance and major projects for senior management.

Skills

Seagoing experience

Fleet management

Budget management

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Education

Marine Engineer Officer Class 1

Chief Engineer Unlimited Certificate

Job description

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Fleet Technical Manager to lead the technical management of a fleet comprising LPG, gas and chemical tankers. The successful candidate will be responsible for vessel reliability, asset integrity, regulatory compliance, maintenance performance and technical expenditure.

This is a senior leadership position requiring extensive seagoing experience, strong tanker-sector knowledge and proven experience managing Technical Superintendents, dry dockings, budgets and major technical projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and management oversight for the assigned fleet, ensuring vessels operate safely, reliably, efficiently and in compliance with applicable requirements.

• Establish fleet-wide technical strategies, maintenance standards, performance targets and operational priorities.

• Guide and support Technical Superintendents, vessel-management teams and senior shipboard personnel on complex technical matters.

• Maintain oversight of vessel condition, machinery reliability, operational readiness and technical risks.

• Monitor technical KPIs, recurring equipment failures, planned-maintenance performance, fuel efficiency and off-hire trends.

• Lead root-cause investigations and ensure appropriate corrective and preventive measures are implemented.

• Oversee dry dockings, major repairs, conversions, retrofits and capital projects from initial planning through completion.

• Ensure technical projects are delivered safely and within the approved scope, budget and schedule.

• Provide technical oversight of LPG, gas and chemical cargo-handling systems, including cargo containment, reliquefaction, inert gas, nitrogen, heating, cooling and pumping equipment.

• Ensure compliance with IMO, class, flag, statutory, customer and terminal requirements.

• Lead technical preparations for SIRE inspections, TMSA reviews, audits, terminal inspections and other vessel-assurance activities.

• Ensure audit findings, inspection deficiencies and conditions of class are addressed and closed within the required timelines.

• Oversee compliance with SEEMP, EEXI, CII, emissions reporting and other environmental obligations.

• Manage technical operating and capital budgets, reviewing expenditure, forecasts and financial variances.

• Identify cost-efficiency opportunities without compromising safety, vessel reliability or asset integrity.

• Oversee shipyards, equipment manufacturers, service providers, procurement activities and major technical contracts.

• Lead, coach and develop Technical Superintendents and other technical personnel.

• Establish consistent technical standards, clear performance expectations and effective workload allocation across the team.

• Build effective relationships with class societies, flag administrations, shipyards, terminals, vendors and other industry stakeholders.

• Prepare regular reports on fleet performance, technical risks, budgets, maintenance activities and major projects for senior management.

• Identify fleet-wide trends and improvement opportunities, escalating significant risks with clear and practical recommendations.

• Travel internationally and sail with vessels when operationally required.

Requirements

• Marine Engineer Officer Class 1, Chief Engineer Unlimited Certificate of Competency or an equivalent internationally recognised qualification.

• Significant seagoing experience aboard LPG, gas or chemical tankers.

• Strong technical understanding of tanker machinery, cargo-handling systems, maintenance requirements and asset integrity.

• At least 5 years of shore-based technical management experience within the tanker sector.

• Proven responsibility for multiple vessels, technical budgets, dry dockings and major repair or capital projects.

• Practical experience with SIRE, TMSA, HSSEQ systems, risk management and incident investigation.

• Good working knowledge of SEEMP, EEXI, CII and maritime environmental requirements.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop Technical Superintendents and senior seafarers.

• Strong commercial awareness, financial-management capability and analytical judgement.

• Confident decision-maker with the ability to manage operational and technical issues under time pressure.

• Excellent communication, leadership and stakeholder-management skills.

• Willingness to travel internationally at short notice and sail with vessels when required.