Marine Superintendent – VLCC Fleet
Location: [Location]
Salary: Competitive, depending on experience
Employment Type: Permanent | Full-time
Department: Technical / Marine Operations
Reporting to: Fleet Manager
Our client, a leading organisation within the maritime and tanker sector, is seeking an experienced Marine Superintendent – VLCC Fleet to join its technical team.
This is a key shore-based position responsible for overseeing the safe, efficient and compliant marine operations of a fleet of Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs). The successful candidate will provide technical and operational support to Masters and shipboard teams while ensuring consistently high standards of navigational safety, cargo operations, regulatory compliance, inspection readiness and fleet performance.
The Role
As Marine Superintendent, you will act as a key point of contact between shore-based management and vessel teams, ensuring assigned vessels operate in accordance with company procedures, international maritime regulations and recognised industry standards.
You will monitor vessel performance, support Masters in operational matters, oversee inspection and vetting readiness, investigate incidents and contribute to the continuous improvement of marine operations and safety management systems.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the preparation and review of vessel budgets, disbursements and operational costs, ensuring expenditure remains aligned with approved financial plans.
- Monitor navigational safety, bridge procedures, chart corrections, Under Keel Clearance (UKC), Air Draft requirements and compliance with company operational standards.
- Review vessel reports and monitor marine operations in accordance with the company’s Global Management System (GMS).
- Ensure the maintenance and operational readiness of mooring equipment, towing gear, cargo equipment and associated deck machinery, in line with current OCIMF Mooring Equipment Guidelines (MEG).
- Review vessel inventories, portable gas detection equipment, deck stores, paints and safety requisitions to ensure vessels remain adequately equipped.
- Review and approve, as appropriate, cargo loading and discharge plans, Crude Oil Washing (COW), tank cleaning, gas freeing and dry-dock preparation plans.
- Ensure cargo operations comply with structural limitations, load line requirements, loading rates, venting capacity and applicable safety standards.
- Provide support to the Marine Personnel function in the identification and selection of suitably qualified seafarers.
- Contribute to the assessment and development of senior officers.
- Ensure assigned vessels are fully prepared for Oil Major, CDI, RightShip, Port State Control (PSC), USCG, Flag State and terminal inspections.
- Monitor and drive the timely closure of inspection and vetting findings.
- Investigate marine incidents and non-conformities, review near-miss reports and ensure appropriate corrective and preventive actions are implemented in conjunction with HSEQ.
- Review vessel Safety Committee minutes and monitor safety and MLC-related matters.
- Review vessel risk assessments and maintain the fleet risk assessment database.
- Participate in internal audits, quality and safety meetings and other marine governance activities.
- Act as a member of the Emergency Response Team when required.
- Identify opportunities to improve marine processes, systems and operational performance.
- Monitor changes to maritime legislation, regulations and industry best practice, including requirements and guidance from IMO, OCIMF, ICS, USCG and INTERTANKO.
- Work with Marine Personnel and Training teams to identify shipboard training requirements and support the development of marine personnel.
Essential Requirements
- Class 1 Certificate of Competency (Master Mariner) – mandatory.
- Extensive seagoing experience on crude oil tankers.
- Minimum one year of experience as Master on VLCC vessels – mandatory.
- Strong practical knowledge of tanker operations, cargo handling and marine safety management systems.
- Strong understanding of navigational safety and marine operational standards.
- Excellent knowledge of relevant maritime regulations and industry requirements.
- Strong leadership, organisational and communication skills.
- Ability to coach, train and develop shipboard personnel.
- Good IT skills and proficiency with standard Microsoft Office applications.
- Fluent English, both written and spoken.
Desirable Experience & Qualifications
- Previous shore-based experience within a Marine Superintendent, Marine Operations, Vetting or Fleet Management position.
- ISM / ISO Lead Auditor certification.
- Experience conducting marine, safety or quality audits.
- Formal training or certification in marine incident investigation.
- Experience with Oil Major, CDI, RightShip, PSC, USCG, Flag State and terminal inspections.
- Strong knowledge of OCIMF standards and tanker industry best practice.
Key Competencies
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Marine Operations & Tanker Safety Management
- Regulatory & Compliance Awareness
- Risk Management & Incident Investigation
- Inspection & Vetting Readiness
- Leadership & Team Development
- Planning & Organisational Skills
- Communication & Stakeholder Management
- Continuous Improvement & Industry Awareness
What We’re Looking For
We are looking for a senior tanker professional who combines substantial VLCC command experience with strong technical and operational knowledge. You will be comfortable working with Masters and senior shipboard personnel, regulators, inspectors, internal stakeholders and external industry bodies.
This opportunity would suit an experienced Master Mariner looking to transition or further develop their career ashore, particularly someone with a strong background in VLCC operations, tanker safety, vetting and marine compliance.