Marine & QSHE Superintendent

Job title: Marine & QSHE Superintendent

Department: Marine

Grade Band: Professional

Reporting to: Manager Technical & Marine

Direct reports: NIL

Location: Chennai

Job purpose:

The Marine & QSHE Superintendent includes supporting shipboard leadership, overseeing navigational and cargo practices, preparing for third-party inspections, and ensuring implementation of the Company's Safety Management System onboard. The role also focuses on crew competence, safety culture, and performance improvement through regular vessel visits and audits. This role also ensures compliance with the ISM Code, ISO standards (9001, 14001, 45001, 50001), and other maritime safety, environmental, and occupational health regulations. The role ensures operational continuity as the DPA and supports investigations, audits, and awareness-building initiatives across the fleet.

Main tasks and responsibilities

Operational Support & Implementation

• Assist Masters in implementing the Company's Safety Management System (SMS) onboard vessels.
• Support the Senior Marine Superintendent in all marine-related matters.
• Conduct regular marine visits and audits to monitor vessel compliance and operational standards.
• Monitor and ensure navigational and cargo handling procedures are aligned with international regulations and company policies.

Audit & Inspection Preparedness

• Ensure vessels are fully prepared for third-party inspections such as port state control, Rightship, and class surveys.
• Attend and support vessels during critical inspections and onboard assessments when required.
• Follow up on inspection and audit observations, ensuring timely closure and reporting.

Crew Management & Training

• Conduct officer briefings and debriefings, interviews, and onboard coaching for Masters and senior officers.
• Identify training needs based on audit findings and conduct training during shipboard visits.
• Promote awareness of charter party requirements among ship staff, especially Masters and Chief Officers.

Reporting & Documentation

• Review ship performance reports, navigational audits, and Letters of Protest (LOP) from terminals.
• Ensure navigational charts and publications are up-to-date and properly maintained onboard.
• Monitor and review terminal satisfaction reports and address recurring issues proactively.

QSHE Responsibilities

Support & Backup Responsibilities

• Act as the Designated Person Ashore (DPA).
• Provide operational support in maintaining compliance with ISM Code, MLC, and ISO standards.
• Represent the QSHE department in meetings and audits as needed.

Management System Implementation

• Ensure company Management System is consistently implemented across shore and fleet operations.
• Assist in reviewing and updating manuals, procedures, and circulars to reflect regulatory or operational changes.

Incident Investigation & Reporting

• Support investigations of accidents, near misses, and non-conformities, using root cause analysis tools.
• Track the implementation of corrective and preventive actions and report closure status to the QSHE Manager.

Training, Awareness & Safety Culture

• Assist in delivering QSHE training sessions, safety campaigns, and toolbox talks.
• Promote a strong safety, security, environmental, and energy efficiency culture among vessel and shore teams.

Audit & Inspection Coordination

• Support internal audit planning and execution for vessels and shore offices.
• Liaise with departments to ensure timely closure of audit observations and documentation updates.

Documentation and Compliance

• Maintain records of incidents, audit reports, and compliance logs.
• Assist in vessel certification, vetting preparation, and PSC readiness support.

Customer and Regulatory Awareness

• Promote understanding of client requirements and expectations throughout the organization.
• Monitor regulatory updates and communicate implications to internal stakeholders.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

| Number of marine visits/audits conducted per quarter: Minimum 4 visits per quarter. Weightage: 15%

| Timely closure of audit/inspection findings: >95% closed within 30 days. Weightage: 15%

| Navigational & cargo operation deficiencies reported post-inspection: 2 minor issues per vessel per quarter. Weightage: 10%

| Compliance with company's SMS and external audit success rate: 100% compliance; no major non-conformities. Weightage: 10%

| Reporting accuracy and timeliness (KPI/incident reports, etc.): >98% accuracy, 100% on-time. Weightage: 10%

| Incident investigation turnaround time: Within 7 working days. Weightage: 10%

Key interactions (Internal | External)

External: Terminal Representatives| Port State Control (PSC), Flag Administrations| Charterers / Vetting InspectorsPort Agents & Service Providers|

Internal: Senior Marine Superintendent| HR & Admin | Marine Operations| Compliance |Technical Superintendent| Vessel Masters & Officers

Education requirements

Class 1 Certificate of Competency (Master Mariner) required, Designated Person Ashore and Company Security Officer qualification; Lead auditor Certification preferred

Language requirements

English

Background and experience

• 3 years as Master with Seagoing experience
• Strong understanding of SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, ISM Code, ISO Standards, and maritime risk management.
• Experience handling third-party inspections and internal audits.
• Proven ability to lead investigations and manage corrective action plans.
• Strong communication and training delivery skills.
• Familiar with ISM/ISPS codes, and other IMO regulations.
• Exposure to vetting inspections, PSC, terminal operations, and cargo handling procedures.
• Familiar with planned maintenance systems (PMS) and ERP/technical fleet systems.
• Experience in conducting navigational audits, officer briefings, and contributing to incident investigations.
• Operational knowledge of container and bulk carriers
• Experience in internal audits, incident investigation, risk management, and marine inspections
• Team-oriented with good communication skills
• Good command of the English language.

Competencies and skills

Core Competencies (Grade E Professional Level)

| Integrity & Accountability: Reviews workload of others, takes ownership for team output and accuracy, and seeks improvements in decision-making.

| Customer Focus: Establishes strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders and addresses financial requirements promptly.

| Continuous Learning: Identifies development areas through team learning, applies financial knowledge to improve accuracy and compliance.

| Agility: Promotes a culture of adaptability, handles shifting priorities in finance operations smoothly, and evaluates strategy effectiveness.

| Collaboration & Communication: Listens actively to cross-functional teams, shares financial insights clearly, and resolves concerns with empathy.

Functional Competencies (Grade E Professional Level)

| Navigational Safety Oversight: Expert knowledge of bridge procedures, passage planning, and safe navigation.

| Audit & Compliance Management: Planning and executing ISM/ISO audits with compliance tracking.

| Maritime Regulation Knowledge: Strong command of IMO, Flag, Class, and client inspection requirements.

| Risk Assessment & Hazard Management: Conducting operational and marine risk assessments

| Shipboard Training & Briefing Delivery: Effective delivery of navigational and QSHE training to crew.