Hot Jobs – Top 10 maritime vacancies – September 2024

For over 25 years, Spinnaker has been assisting shipowners, shipmanagers, oil majors, and P&I clubs in fulfilling their maritime recruitment requirements. Every day, we receive a constant influx of new job openings, all conveniently listed on our website. To simplify your job search, we have handpicked a collection of the ten most sought-after positions available right now. Get in touch if you’re interested but do it quickly as they won’t be around for long!

A full list of current vacancies can be found on our website:

Business Development Manager – Europe

You’ll use your consultative sales skills and maritime technical knowledge to ensure this company’s products are selected based on zero pollution, lower OPEX and reduced maintenance time for the ship’s crew.  Joining a well-established, privately owned company who design, manufacture, supply and install pollution-free, non-metallic bearing and seal systems, you’ll report to the VP of Business Development in Canada.  Your responsibility will be for the sales growth of products to commercial ship owners in United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, Netherlands and Germany.

View Job – Business Development Manager

Line Manager – Dubai, UAE

You’ll be responsible for the operational efficiency of various services, ensuring maximum yield.  As the Line Manager, you’ll take charge of the P&L of all services assigned to you.   Management of bunker efficiency and consumption will play a large part in you strategic decision making and analysis.  You will have experience of line management in a container line environment, ideally having managed feeder services. Relocation assistance and housing will be provided.

View Job – Line Manager

Technical Superintendent – Emirates

A Towage Operator is looking for a Technical Superintendent for a residential role on a family package in the UAE. To be eligible for the position you must have sailed to Chief Engineer and have previous experience as a Technical Superintendent with harbour tugs.

View Job – Technical Superintendent

Training Superintendent – Middle East

A vessel owner in the Middle East is looking for a Master Mariner or Chief Engineer with shorebased experience of training crew to join them as a Training Superintendent. The position does require extensive travel as you would be visiting vessels to conduct on the job training for deck and engine departments.

View Job – Training Superintendent

Marine Insurance Broker – Surrey, UK

As a developing Marine Insurance Broker, you will be responsible for handling client queries, including those from international clients, analysing business per guidelines, and gathering information from clients. You will also be working with insurers in the European and International markets. With your excellent communication skills and independent working style, you will thrive in this role.

View Job – Marine Insurance Broker

Marine Superintendent (Chemical Tankers) – Mumbai, India

This position will a growth and development opportunity for a Master Mariner who has at least a year’s experience ashore as a superintendent.   In both capacities you will have gained experience with stainless stell chemical tankers.   You will be given the opportunity to develop your skills and experience as a Marine Superintendent.  To be successful you will know how to prepare ships for SIRE, CDI, and PSC inspections.  Reviewing passage plans will be familiar to you, as communicating with charterers and operators of chemical cargoes for ships. 

View Job – Marine Superintendent (Chemical Tankers)

LNG Claims Officer – Qatar

In this role, you’ll process claims promptly, work with internal teams, and use charter party terms to get the best results. The role involves supporting negotiations with counterparties. This role requires expertise in maritime contracts, strong analytical skills, and the ability to collaborate across departments to optimise fleet performance and manage claims effectively.

View Job – LNG Claims Officer

Bunker Operations Manager – New York, USA

one of the world’s leading physical suppliers and traders of marine fuel globally as they look to appoint a new Bunker Operations Manager to head the team covering the Americas region. The core purpose of the role would be to provide leadership and strategic direction to the operations team covering terminal storage positions and nominating customers via delivering vessels and barges coordinating with agents and delivery vessels.

View Job -Bunker Operations Manager

FFA Assessor – London, UK

Experience of FFA’s and Options, additional experience of forward curve production an advantage. Familiar with derivatives market and the vocabulary used by market participants. Must have strong interpersonal and communication skills, in particular, the ability to liaise with Contributors in a sometimes sensitive environment. Ability to build positive business relationships and work collaboratively

View Job – FFA Assessor

Senior Legal Counsel – Qatar

While assisting the General Counsel in the legal department, your responsibilities will include providing commercial and legal advice on corporate, shipping, commercial, compliance, financial, and regulatory matters for the company and its subsidiaries and joint venture companies. Additionally, will also be responsible for drafting and negotiating shipbuilding contracts and charter parties.

View Job – Senior Legal Counsel

For more information on any of the jobs above, please email Spinnaker.

View these jobs, and more on our website.

Marathon for Women in Maritime: Summary

When: 27th April 2025, between 00:00-23:59 BST.  Sign-ups needed by 31st October

What: A virtual marathon.  26.2 miles to be covered anywhere, at any time over the 24h period.  As a guideline, walking the distance is attainable for most people in c.8-9h. 

How: The marathon can be walked, run, or jogged and is much more attainable and inclusive due to the longer time period, the possibility of breaking it up into manageable chunks, and the flexibility to do it anywhere, with anyone.  It would be incredible if someone would do it onboard a ship, in the gym, or on deck!  There is a lot of scope for you to do creative things with this internally due to the inherently flexible nature of the event.

Why: Most importantly, this is to raise awareness of the support we provide to female seafarers through our peer-to-peer support groups.  Confidential, expertly moderated safe spaces which provide female seafarers with the opportunity to connect with other women “in the same boat, but not on the same ship” to share problems, thoughts, feelings and solutions.  This helps reduce the anxiety and social isolation which many women feel working in a very male-dominated environment.

Who: This is an inclusive event open to anyone who wants to lace up to show support for women in maritime. The more influential and inspirational maritime professionals who can join, the better.  It’s a great opportunity to engage the team in a challenging but attainable wellness activity in support of the seafarers we all rely on. 

How much:  The fundraising target is £250 per participant, with a £40 registration fee.  We are hopeful that larger businesses may subsidise this for employees and match donations.  All entrants receive an achievement certificate along with a London Marathon medal and finishers t-shirt.

Find out more: Sailors Society (sailors-society.org)

£3.35 million raised for the OSCAR Dragon Boat campaign

Thirty shipping teams splashed about in the water in London on Friday 13th September, raising £666,000 for charity.

The annual OSCAR Dragon Boat Race is organised by Phil Parry of maritime people experts, Spinnaker. The total now raised by the OSCAR Campaign is around £3.35m. 

The Campaign is named after Phil’s 25-year-old son Oscar, whose life was saved by experimental treatments developed by the bone marrow transplant team at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children when he was three to eight years old.

“It’s quite remarkable how year after year the shipping community pulls together to support the OSCAR Campaign,” said Maritime London CEO, Jos Standerwick. “We should all be very proud of this industry and the wonderful people in it.”

“There was so much interest this year, that we sold out and had to turn teams away,” says Phil. “We already have teams confirmed for next year during London International Shipping Week.  If anyone reading this is interested in taking part or supporting the event in some other way they can email us on [email protected]“.

Winners of the dragon boat racing, all accompanied by the theme tune from seventies cop TV-series Hawaii-Five-0, were shipping and energy data analytics and ship tracking firm, Kpler. Kpler’s Julian Miller was gushing:  It’s our first time and we’ve had so much fun. We are all totally inspired by the fundraising result of the event and of Union Maritime and we will build our support next year to keep reaching higher on the fundraising scoreboard! Of course, even though it’s lighthearted, we’re over the moon to have come first in the final.”

Second place (0.6 seconds behind) went to the Coolco team, captained by their CCO Christopher Bergsland, father of Billy who was treated for and survived Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia at Great Ormond Street Hospital. 

Borealis were in third place.  CEO Christoph Toepfer said: “We love this event. The whole office gets behind it and looks forward to taking part every year. It’s good for shipping. It’s good for London. And it has made a difference by funding the development of new treatments and techniques that are already in use.”

As has become tradition, Oldendorff Carriers (fourth place this year) generously sponsored the bar. “With Oldendorff picking up the tab, we’re able to raise even more funds by selling sponsored cups entitling people to drinks at the bar,” explained Megan Duckworth from the GOSH Children’s Charity.

While the dragon boat racing was close, the fundraising table was eclipsed for the second year in a row by Union Maritime, “who have adopted the OSCAR Campaign as one of their own if you like,” said Phil Parry. “Union Maritime CEO Laurent Cadji and his wife Sarah visited Great Ormond Street Hospital with me a couple of years ago. They were moved by the heartbreaking stories of children with cancers and immune diseases who need the help of the world’s best at GOSH. Dr Persis Amrolia, head of BMT at GOSH (who treated Oscar) impressed and inspired them so much as he and his team inspire and motivate me. We all of us owe these dedicated specialists so much. Without the work they do and that shipping funds, many more parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters would have lost a child, grandchild or sibling.  It’s an honour to contribute in any way we can.”

The OSCAR Dragon Boat event works by asking each team to raise a minimum of £6,000 on top of a registration fee.  “Every penny counts,” says Parry, “the cumulate effect giving us such a great outcome. But, Union Maritime take it to another level and with the help and support of their brokers, customers, partners, bankers and others, their team raised £500,000 this year. It’s just tremendous and we’re so grateful. This year’s fundraising alone should enable us to fund three distinct research projects.”

The teams in 2024:

  • Finalists: Kpler, Coolco, Borealis, Oldendorff Carriers, UK P&I, MFB Solicitors 
  • Everyone else: Union Maritime, Thomas Miller 2, Purus, Baltic Exchange 1 & 2, Tysers, NorthStandard, Thurlestone, BRS, Ashley Group Holdings, Miller Insurance, Lomar, Britannia P&I, Windward Shipping, ONE, CoolCo, Navigator Gas, Borealis Maritime, Taylor Maritime Investments, Cheniere, C Solutions Limited, Steamship Mutual, SSY, Clarksons, TMC Marine  …and of course Spinnaker. 

There is still time to donate to your favourite team via its Just Giving page.  Search “OSCAR Dragon Boat 2024” and choose which team you’d like to support. 

For details about next year’s event: [email protected]. 

Photos from the 2024 event: Spinnaker Flickr

Your route to becoming a Chartered Marine Engineer

MLA College’s MSc Engineering for Marine Professionals has been utilised by some of their graduates to demonstrate ‘knowledge and understanding’ competency for those seeking Chartered Marine Engineer status.

If you are a First Engineer, Chief Engineer, or Superintendent in the marine sector, the MSc Engineering for Maritime Professionals Degree programme is for you.

If you are a seasoned professional with several years of senior marine engineering experience, you already possess the skills, knowledge, and expertise required to undertake a stand-alone 12-month independent research project. This project will not only enhance your career but also progress you through your marine engineering journey.  

You will be encouraged to discover your research subject for investigation, and after completing the research project, you will be awarded the master’s degree by the University of Plymouth.

The 12-month distance learning programme begins in January and has intakes available in May and September next year.

Additionally, MLA College is proud to introduce the Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) Engineering Management programme. This programme is specifically tailored for experienced engineers who aspire to boost their career opportunities by developing their leadership and management skills, in addition to enhancing their technical expertise. Through a curriculum that encompasses a diverse blend of advanced engineering principles and business management concepts, students will develop a distinct skillset that sets them apart in their industry, positioning them for success.

Find out more online or contact a member of the team.

Enhance your career within the marine or maritime industry while considering a move ashore

Do you possess a Higher National Diploma, a Foundation Degree, or even a few years of industry work experience? If you want to upgrade from a foundation degree or similar, the BSc Sustainable Maritime Operations programme at MLA College is ideal for you.

This Maritime Operations programme will particularly suit those with professional experience in the maritime world, those currently working at sea, or those with an academic interest in marine and maritime business and management.

Delivered online via distance learning, you can flexibly study the BSc degree around your life commitments. The programme is designed by leading industry experts and is fully tutor-supported, with help, guidance, and advice available when needed. There are several payment options available to suit your needs as well.

In addition to the BSc, MLA College also provides an MSc in Sustainable Maritime Operations for individuals working in the maritime industry who have studied up to a postgraduate level and want to carry out independent research as part of the MSc project.

Find out more online or contact a member of the team.

Personality Profiling and Facet5

Spinnaker’s Maritime Leadership Development Programme Winter 2024 is set to begin on the 28th November.

This year, the programme will include a ‘Key Qualities’ report for all participants as a takeaway document.

So, what is a Key Qualities report?

The ‘Key Qualities’ report is based on the participants responses to the ‘Facet5’ personality profiling questionnaire which forms the first part of the Maritime Leadership Development Programme.

It is designed to measure an individual’s unique strengths based on their personality. By gaining insight into their inherent abilities and preferences, individuals are better equipped to make informed decisions about their personal and professional paths.

Personality Profiling and Facet5

 • Key Qualities Summary: provides a summary statement for their 13 Key Qualities. These are the positive and productive behaviours that an individual does well and require little effort.

• Leveraging: provides practical advice on how to leverage their key qualities at work and what the positive impact could be.

• Strength Overplayed: describes the impact and behaviours when their strength is overplayed or they become over-reliant on its use.

• Coaching Advice: for each Key Quality they receive coaching advice on how to open up their strengths and manage their strengths overplayed.

Find out more about the Key Qualities report and how it is used in Spinnaker’s Maritime Leadership Development programme by contacting a member of the team.

[email protected]

Navigating the future of leadership

Essential Leadership Skills: Navigating the Future with Agility and Vision

The landscape of leadership is evolving at an unprecedented pace. Rapid technological advancements, shifting workforce dynamics, and global uncertainties demand a new set of skills from leaders. In this era, effective leadership is no longer just about guiding teams and making decisions; it’s about navigating complexity, fostering innovation, and driving sustainable success. There are many skills needed to be an effective leader and ensure teams are able to thrive in the future. These include:

Digital Fluency and Technological Savvy

Leaders should stay informed about emerging technologies, invest in continuous learning, and encourage their teams to adopt a digital-first mindset. By doing so, they can harness the power of technology to enhance productivity, improve decision-making, and maintain a competitive edge.

Emotional Intelligence and Empathy

As the workforce becomes more diverse and remote work continues to be prevalent, emotional intelligence and empathy are critical leadership skills. These skills are essential for building trust, fostering collaboration, and creating a positive work environment.

Strategic Thinking and Vision

In a rapidly changing world, strategic thinking also involves anticipating future challenges and opportunities. Leaders should be forward-thinking, constantly scanning the horizon for shifts that could impact their organisations. By doing so, they can proactively position their businesses for success and ensure sustainable growth.

Conclusion

Leadership in 2024 and beyond requires a unique blend of skills that go beyond traditional management. As the world continues to change at a rapid pace, leaders must be digitally fluent, emotionally intelligent, agile, and strategically minded. They must also prioritise inclusivity, resilience, communication, and ethical behaviour. By cultivating these skills, leaders can navigate the complexities of the modern business environment, inspire their teams, and drive sustainable success in the years to come.

With this in mind, we have been working with behavourial changes experts t-three since 2017, in delivering effective leadership programmes for managers in the maritime sector. These programmes incorporate the personality profiling tool Facet5. Facet5 is based around 5 key elements – Will, Energy, Affection, Control and Emotionality. A score on each of these facets builds our unique personality profile and allows us to understand not only how we behave as a manager, but also how we need to adapt our managerial style to manage others and get the best out of them.

t-three have put together extensive leadership programmes for global clients in both the maritime sector, including V. Group, and non-maritime sector, including Jaguar Land Rover, Transport for London and Sainsburys.

The next programme designed exclusively for the maritime sector will launch on the 28th November 2024 and you can find out more on our website.

Article written by Helen McCaughran, Marketing & Business Development Manager, Spinnaker.

Testimonials

“The workshops were conducted in a professional manner, encouraging the individual participation and building up shared group knowledge. The content was thought provoking and informative.
The usefulness depends upon one’s willingness to engage. The course helps to discover new possibilities if one approaches it with an open and receptive frame of mind and carries the “risk” of shaping one’s self perception and connection to the immediate and wider environment.”

“Interesting material to go through that gave me new perspective on leadership styles, nicely presented and structured into blocks.”

“There was a good amount of information, all of which will take time to digest. There was also a balanced amount of feedback and discussion time to keep you engaged.”

“Putting the focus on personal character first and identifying own leadership styles resulting from same helps to understand leadership better.”

“I was able to fully understand how my profiling impacts on my professional outlook and leadership style.”

“It was very interesting to learn more about myself and also allow me to understand how we can be perceived by others.”

The Importance of Accountability & Results

The fourth and final blog in this series covering the topics in the workshop element of the Maritime Leadership Development Programme and how to create a High Performing Team, focuses on Accountability and Results.

Accountability

What is Accountability?

The Cambridge Dictionary defines accountability as ‘the fact of being responsible for what you do and able to give a satisfactory reason for it.’ In a team, this means that every member must take ownership of their work and deliver to a high standard.

Why is accountability crucial for a high-performing team?

Accountability ensures everyone takes responsibility for their actions and work, therefore creating trust amongst the team. A team that is committed to an end goal tends to perform to a higher standard and get to their goal more effectively.

The consequences of a lack of Accountability?

When accountability is absent, issues within the team can arise because they aren’t being addressed. This can then lead to decreased motivation, uneven workloads, and unresolved issues. Lack of accountability can break trust as teams cannot rely on each other and goals are missed. Unhealthy conflict can arise between team members and progress will stall.

Facet5 and Accountability

By understanding the key factors that drive accountability, i.e. Trust & Responsibility, we can look at an individual’s personality to ensure that what they need to be accountable for is met.

  1. Control: Responsibility
    Team members need to be responsible for their own work and must feel comfortable in holding others to account.
  2. Affection: Support and Trust
    Looking at how team members treat others, knowing how likely staff are to trust and support each other, and what needs to be done to ensure they do, is key to creating accountability in the workplace. Mutual support strengthens the team and creating a trusting environment encourages accountability.

In conclusion, accountability is crucial for a high-performing team. How do you ensure your team is accountable?

Results

Results provide a tool to measure the teams progress and effectiveness. Subsequently, by consistently achieving results the team will be motivated to consistently perform and therefore creating a high performing team.

However, to achieve results, the team need to trust, engage in healthy conflict, be held to account and commit to each other.

For more information on how Accountability and Results impacts you and your team and on the Maritime Leadership Development Programme. Contact Helen & Monique [email protected]

The Importance of Commitment

Our third blog in this series uncovers the topics we explore in the workshop element of the Maritime Leadership Development Programme is Commitment.

What is Commitment?

The Cambridge Dictionary describes Commitment as ‘the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc’. Meaning that the team must agree on the end result and work together to achieve it.

Why is Commitment vital to become a high-performing team?

Commitment ensures the team is focused on a goal or objective and subsequently they are committed to make it happen. The team is more likely to support each other, put in the necessary effort and stay focused on the goal. This sense of commitment encourages accountability of the team and strengthens collaboration and trust.

What happens when a team is not committed?

Goals are missed because you don’t have the buy in from your team. The team misses opportunities to grow, and your teams’ skills will not be utilised, and your team won’t feel engaged or motivated.

Commitment in your team is only possible if your team can trust and confront each other. For more information about these traits, you can read our previous two blogs: Trust and Conflict

Facet5 & Commitment

The personality profiling tool Facet5 can show you how you and your team commit to ideas.

  1. Will: Determination
    People with high determination are dedicated to reaching the end goal, but those who are lower determination may require more information and reassurance.
  2. Emotionality: Tension and Apprehension
    How are you feeling? Are they apprehensive or even nervous. Knowing your teams emotionality preference, can help managers to understand what their team needs to feel comfortable to move forward and to commit to the result.

We are all different and will require different things to ensure we are committed and Facet5 can assist managers at all levels to achieve this.

For more information on how Commitment impacts you and your team and on the Maritime Leadership Development Programme. Contact Helen & Monique [email protected]