Job Description/Specification:
NAKILAT is seeking an experienced Technical Superintendent to lead the technical management of LNG/LPG vessels under direct management, including technical services delivered through third-party ship managers. The role is responsible for ensuring safe, reliable, compliant, and cost-efficient vessel operations while maintaining high technical and operational standards across the fleet.
The position will provide expert marine engineering support, oversee planned maintenance, dry docking, repairs, technical projects, regulatory compliance, vessel performance, budgeting, and emergency response activities. Preference will be given to Qatari candidates.
About This Role
Reporting to the Head of Technical, the Technical Superintendent will work closely with Technical, Operations, Fleet Management, Marine Personnel, Procurement, SHEQ, Finance, and other internal departments, as well as ship staff, ship managers, owners, classification societies, flag authorities, OEMs, and service providers.
The role requires strong experience in LNG/LPG carrier technical management, marine engineering, maintenance systems, dry docking, troubleshooting, risk management, and international maritime regulations.
Key Responsibilities
Fleet Technical Management
- Lead the technical management of LNG/LPG vessels to achieve safe, reliable, efficient, and cost-effective operations.
- Maintain high technical and operational standards and support continuous improvement across the fleet.
- Conduct periodic vessel visits, inspections, technical audits, and performance reviews.
- Develop and implement technical policies, procedures, and standards through the Management of Change (MOC) process.
- Analyze vessel performance, equipment failures, repair frequency, repair duration, fuel consumption, and spare-parts requirements.
Planned Maintenance & Engineering Support
- Monitor the planned maintenance system and ensure it remains current and compliant with regulatory and class requirements.
- Provide expert technical and marine engineering advice for vessel operations and troubleshooting.
- Evaluate technical feasibility for new or replacement equipment and systems.
- Identify required vessel modifications and improvements and monitor implementation.
- Resolve technical issues and recommend practical engineering solutions.
Dry Docking & Major Repairs
- Prepare, review, and manage dry-docking specifications and technical documentation.
- Attend and monitor dry docking to ensure safety, quality, efficiency, cost control, and schedule adherence.
- Oversee major repairs and planned maintenance in accordance with the vessel's Safety Management System (SMS).
- Participate in post-docking reviews, contractor evaluations, and commercial negotiations.
Regulatory, Class & Compliance
- Ensure vessels comply with applicable flag, class, statutory, and international maritime requirements.
- Monitor validity of vessel certificates, surveys, inspections, and regulatory documentation.
- Ensure environmental requirements are met across vessel operations.
- Coordinate with classification societies, flag state authorities, port state authorities, ship managers, and other regulatory stakeholders.
Safety, Risk & Emergency Response
- Conduct periodic technical and safety audits, vessel vetting, and risk assessments.
- Monitor incident investigations and ensure appropriate corrective and preventive actions.
- Support accident investigations, root cause analysis, and preparation of comprehensive reports.
- Develop and maintain emergency response and contingency arrangements.
- Provide technical and emergency support during vessel or company incidents under the Company's Emergency Response Plan.
Budget & Cost Management
- Prepare vessel technical budgets and monitor actual expenditure against approved budgets.
- Analyze cost variances and implement appropriate cost-control measures.
- Ensure expenditure is controlled without compromising vessel safety, reliability, or technical standards.
- Support tender preparation and evaluation for equipment, spare parts, repairs, and technical services.
- Review and provide technical justification for contractor and service-provider invoices.
Third-Party Managers & Stakeholder Management
- Maintain effective technical interaction with third-party ship managers regarding fleet projects and long-term technical issues.
- Guide procurement and contracts teams on strategic vendor agreements and technical service contracts.
- Coordinate with OEMs, ship owners, vendors, service providers, and ship staff to ensure reliable vessel operations.
Minimum Requirements
- Marine Engineering Degree (Class 1), preferably with motors and steam specialization, or an equivalent relevant qualification.
- Experience as a Chief Engineer on LNG/LPG carriers is required/preferred as specified for the role.
- 8–12 years of overall relevant experience, with one of the following:
- Minimum 2 years in a similar capacity supervising LNG/LPG vessels; or
- Minimum 2 years managing major repair and maintenance activities on LNG/LPG vessels; or
- Minimum 2 years' experience as Chief Engineer onboard LNG/LPG vessels.
- Strong knowledge of technical management of large gas carriers.
- Up-to-date knowledge of international and local maritime rules and regulations.
Technical & Professional Skills
- LNG/LPG Carrier Technical Management
- Marine Engineering & Fleet Management
- Large Gas Carrier Operations
- Planned Maintenance Systems
- Dry Docking & Major Repairs
- Vessel Reliability & Performance Management
- Technical Troubleshooting
- Cargo Containment Systems
- Cargo Handling Equipment & Systems
- Marine Propulsion Systems
- Classification & Flag-State Compliance
- Maritime Regulations & Statutory Requirements
- Vessel Vetting & Technical Audits
- Risk Assessment & Management
- Accident Investigation & Root Cause Analysis
- Budgeting & Cost Control
- Project Management
- Contractor & Vendor Management
- Procurement & Tender Evaluation
- Emergency Response & Contingency Planning
- Technical Reporting & Documentation
- Management of Change (MOC)
Desired Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will be an experienced marine engineering professional with strong hands-on and shore-based exposure to LNG/LPG carriers and large gas carrier technical operations.
Candidates should demonstrate strong engineering troubleshooting, project management, budget management, negotiation, people-management, risk assessment, and technical decision-making skills. Experience dealing with ship managers, classification societies, flag authorities, OEMs, vendors, and vessel crews will be highly relevant.
Strong knowledge of cargo containment, cargo handling systems, propulsion plants, vessel maintenance, dry docking, and marine regulatory requirements is essential.
Key Result Areas
- Maintain industry-leading technical and operational standards across the fleet.
- Ensure planned maintenance systems remain compliant and effective.
- Provide expert technical and marine engineering support.
- Control vessel technical budgets and monitor cost variances.
- Conduct proactive technical audits, risk assessments, and vessel inspections.
- Support safe, reliable, compliant, and cost-efficient LNG/LPG vessel operations.
Employment Details
- Position: Technical Superintendent
- Department: Technical
- Reports To: Head of Technical
- Location: Qatar
- Industry: Shipping / Marine / LNG / LPG
- Employment Type: Full-Time
- Work Location: In Person
- Direct Reports: None
- Candidate Preference: Preference will be given to Qatari candidates.