Head of Marine and Vetting (Tankers and Bulk Fleets)

Zodiac Maritime is seeking to appoint an experienced Head of Marine and Vetting to lead and optimise marine assurance, vetting, and navigational standards across the company’s bulk and tanker fleets. The role is accountable for the compliant and safe operation of the tanker and bulk fleets, overseeing marine assurance, vetting, and fleet quality. It is a hands‑on position focused on building on a strong track record: maintaining high safety standards, ensuring vessels meet charterer and regulatory requirements, and protecting the fleet’s commercial position, reputation, and asset value.

Key responsibilities and primary deliverables

• Fleet Marine Assurance and Vetting
  • Own and lead the vetting and acceptance strategy for the company’s tanker and dry bulk fleets.
  • Ensure vessels consistently meet oil major, terminal, and charterer requirements (including SIRE, CDI, and RightShip).
  • Oversee pre‑ and post‑fixture vetting processes to maximise fleet employability and minimise commercial risk.
  • Coordinate and manage all vetting inspections, ensuring vessels are prepared, supported, and findings are closed out effectively.
  • Monitor vessel performance across vetting platforms, driving improvements in ratings, inspection outcomes, and approval status.
  • Act as the final authority on vessel suitability, vetting decisions, and risk acceptance.
  • Investigate and respond to vetting issues, terminal feedback, and complaints, ensuring timely resolution.
  • Develop and maintain standardised vetting procedures and policies to improve consistency, safety, and efficiency.
  • Work closely with Technical, Operations, and QHSSE teams to ensure inspection findings are addressed and embedded across the fleet.
  • Analyse inspection trends and performance data, sharing insights to support continuous improvement.
  • Prepare for and implement changes in vetting regimes (e.g., SIRE 2.0, CDI updates, RightShip requirements).
  • Establish and track KPIs for vetting performance and fleet quality.
• Fleet Performance
  • Drive improvements in overall fleet quality, including PSC performance, audits, and inspections.
  • Ensure lessons learned from incidents, inspections, and near misses are implemented across the fleet.
  • Maintain high levels of inspection readiness across tanker and dry bulk vessels.
• Regulatory Compliance and Industry Standards
  • Ensure compliance with IMO conventions (SOLAS, MARPOL), ISM/ISPS Codes, and flag state requirements.
  • Maintain readiness for external inspections including PSC, Class, SIRE, and CDI.
  • Liaise with classification societies, flag administrations, P&I clubs, and industry bodies.
  • Monitor regulatory and industry developments and ensure timely implementation across the fleet.
• Commercial Support & Fleet Employability
  • Partner with Chartering and Commercial teams to optimise vessel acceptance and utilisation.
  • Provide practical input on cargo suitability, trade restrictions, and voyage risks.
  • Support vetting clearances and pre‑fixture requirements in a cost‑effective and timely manner.
  • Strengthen relationships with charterers, oil majors, and terminals to support fleet employment.
• Crisis Management and Emergency Response
  • Provide support as required.
• Leadership and Team Management
  • Lead, develop, and support Marine and Vetting team members, both office‑based and travelling.
  • Lead by example in acting with integrity and upholding the highest professional standards of quality, performance and productivity.
  • Set clear objectives and maintain a high‑performance, accountable, and safety‑focused culture.
  • Oversee onboarding and continuous development of team members.
  • Promote collaboration, open communication, and practical problem‑solving across departments.
  • Maintain seamless collaboration and communication with the wider teams.

Qualifications, knowledge and skills requirements

• Proven track record in a senior maritime operations leadership role, with the breadth and depth of experience to make sound decisions across marine and vetting activities.
• Shipboard experience as Master or Chief Officer on bulk and/or tanker vessels is essential.
• Strong track record managing oil major vetting, RightShip ratings, and PSC performance.
• Builds effective relationships with charterers, oil majors, regulators, and internal stakeholders.
• Experience supporting fleet employability, vetting acceptance, and minimising off‑hire risk.
• Strong understanding of tanker and dry bulk operations, including cargo handling risks.
• Deep knowledge of vetting regimes, including SIRE (including SIRE 2.0), CDI, and RightShip.
• Solid understanding of international maritime regulations and frameworks, including SOLAS, MARPOL, ISM/ISPS.
• Highly developed leadership skills with the willingness (and able) to “roll‑up sleeves” and lead from the front in maintaining alignment with the fleet strategy.
• Outstanding ability to understand the wider business context, to think ahead, navigate ambiguity and determine priorities whilst working through periods of pressure.
• Clear, confident communicator with the ability to influence at all levels, both internally and externally.
• Enjoys working within a culturally diverse, flat structured, entrepreneurial organisation.
• Flexibility to travel and willingness to respond to out of hours calls relating to incident response / crisis management is a requirement for the role.