Fleet Manager (m/f)d)
Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement · Hamburg, Germany
As a Fleet Manager at BSM Cruise, you will be responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, and commercially viable operation of a fleet in line with international standards and regulations. You will lead a high-performing team, manage client relationships, and drive continuous improvement to uphold BSM’s reputation for excellence.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the safe, reliable and efficient operation of assigned vessels, ensuring compliance with international, flag state and classification requirements.
- Ensure high vessel availability and operational reliability, recognising the impact of technical failures on itineraries, guests, clients and commercial operations.
- Manage maintenance strategies, dry-dockings, refurbishments and major technical projects, ensuring effective planning and execution.
- Manage vessel budgets and OPEX/CAPEX, balancing technical requirements, reliability, compliance and commercial objectives.
- Lead and coordinate vessel life-extension programmes, including long-term technical planning, asset condition, obsolescence, major upgrades and investment requirements.
- Monitor existing and upcoming regulatory developments and translate their impact into practical fleet strategies, particularly regarding environmental compliance, decarbonisation, energy efficiency and future fuel requirements.
- Ensure effective execution of inspections, audits and surveys and timely closure of findings.
- Maintain strong relationships with ship owners, cruise operators, clients and key stakeholders, ensuring contractual obligations and expected service levels are delivered.
- Coordinate closely with Marine, Technical, Crewing, Procurement, HSEQ and Hotel/Hospitality functions to ensure an integrated approach to vessel operations.
- Lead and develop fleet team members and support the selection and development of senior shipboard officers.
- Support effective response to operational incidents and technical disruptions that may impact the vessel, itinerary, guests, client or reputation.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Nautical Science, Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, or equivalent maritime qualification.
- Chief Engineer or Master Mariner qualification preferred.
- Minimum 5 years' experience as a Technical, Marine or LPSQ Superintendent with cruise or passenger vessels.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing complex vessel operations.
- Experience working with ship owners, cruise operators or third-party clients is an advantage.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong knowledge of vessel technical requirements, class, flag and international maritime regulations, with a good understanding of the specific operational demands of cruise and passenger vessels.
- Strong understanding of the relationship between technical reliability, itinerary performance, guest operations and commercial performance.
- Excellent project management and organisational skills, including the ability to manage complex dry-dockings, upgrades, and vessel projects.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate clearly, openly and confidently with clients, senior shipboard management, shore teams and external stakeholders, including in challenging situations.
- Strong leadership and people-development capabilities, with the ability to create accountability within both shore and shipboard teams.
- Good understanding of vessel life-cycle management, ageing assets, technical obsolescence and long-term CAPEX planning.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and make sound operational decisions in a fast-paced, 24/7 passenger-vessel environment.
- Commercial awareness and the ability to balance safety, compliance, vessel reliability, client expectations, and cost.
Why You Should Join Us!
You may choose up to three benefits from our benefits-catalogue:
- Contribution to our Canteen
- Free Ticket for the local public transport
- Contribution to Internet Fee
- Bike Leasing (JobRad)
- Childcare (KITA contribution)
- Language Courses
- Fitness Contribution
- Urban Sports Club Membership
In addition, you will benefit from:
- Flexible working hours and home-office entitlement
- Annual leave days: 28
- Open-door-policy and flat hierarchies
- A beautiful office in the heart of Hamburg