_{29th September, 2026}

Technical Director, Tanker Fleet
UAE

A Gulf-headquartered owner with a significant tanker fleet trading across several continents wants one person accountable for the technical condition of every vessel. The Technical Director reports straight to the CEO and answers for whether ships clear vetting, class and port state inspection without incident. This is a seat close to the top, and a fleet that is still growing.

The role

• Own the technical performance of the fleet: planned maintenance, the dry-docking programme, class and statutory compliance, and keeping every vessel free of detentions.
• Lead the fleet managers and superintendents who look after both in-house and outsourced vessels. Set the maintenance and environmental standards, and hold contractors and surveyors to them.
• Front the TMSA, ISM and ISO audits yourself, and make the SMS work on board, not just on paper. As the fleet grows, take the technical strategy to the CEO.
• A detention or a failed vetting lands directly on earnings and reputation, so this is a role for someone who has carried that accountability before.

The right person

• Required: You came up the traditional route. You sailed to Chief Engineer (at least five years in rank), moved ashore, and worked up to Technical Director, with roughly ten years in ship management leading fleet managers.
• Required: Deep tanker experience, with hands-on knowledge of oil tankers. You know PMS software properly and have led a TMSA, ISM or ISO audit.
• Required: You have reported directly to a CEO. You give a clear technical position, back it with facts, and hold it under commercial pressure. You develop your superintendents and travel to vessels and offices when it matters.

Why this role
You would run the technical function of an owner-operator, with a direct line to the CEO and the authority to set standards across the whole fleet. It is based in the UAE, with travel to vessels and company locations.

Reach out to Soeren or Kirc at one@sallingsearch.com directly. All conversations are confidential.

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