Crewing Manager (Marine)

1. Job Purpose
To ensure effective and compliant management of seafarers assigned to the designated tanker fleet, maintaining high standards of crew competence, safety, operational readiness, and service delivery in accordance with applicable international regulations, Flag State and Oil Major requirements, and Crestline’s crewing standards.
The Crewing Manager oversees crew planning, recruitment, retention, deployment, certification, training compliance, travel coordination, and cost control to ensure a continuous supply of qualified and competent personnel across the assigned fleet.
2. Key Responsibilities
A. Crew Planning, Recruitment and Retention
Recruit, select, and deploy suitably qualified officers and ratings in accordance with vessel-specific requirements and company standards.
Develop and maintain crew rotation plans to ensure timely relief, adequate manpower availability, and uninterrupted vessel operations.
Maintain a dedicated pool of competent seafarers, focusing on the retention of experienced officers and key personnel.
Develop succession and career progression plans for senior officers, including Masters, Chief Engineers, Chief Officers, and Second Engineers.
Maintain contact with officers during leave periods, as appropriate, to monitor availability, engagement, and future deployment.
Identify crew shortages, retention risks, and succession gaps, implementing appropriate mitigation measures.
Coordinate with approved manning agents to ensure timely sourcing and deployment of suitable personnel.
B. Regulatory Compliance, Certification and Training
Ensure all crew joining assigned vessels hold valid certificates of competency and proficiency, medical certificates, visas, Flag State endorsements, and other required documentation.
Maintain compliance with applicable STCW, MLC 2006, Flag State, Port State, and collective bargaining agreement (CBA) requirements.
Review and maintain the crew training and competency matrix for each rank and vessel, ensuring compliance with company, shipowner, charterer, and applicable Oil Major requirements.
Monitor certificate validity, endorsements, medical fitness, and mandatory training, ensuring timely renewals and completion.
Verify crew qualifications and joining documentation before deployment.
Coordinate tanker-specific training, familiarisation, and competency development with relevant departments.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date crew records in Shipmate.
C. Crew Travel and Deployment
Arrange and coordinate crew sign-on and sign-off travel through appointed and approved marine travel providers.
Ensure inbound and outbound travel is booked promptly and cost-effectively, considering vessel schedules, joining ports, visa requirements, and operational priorities.
Manage travel changes and emergencies to minimise delays, additional costs, and operational disruption.
Liaise with vessels, manning agents, travel providers, and internal departments to ensure smooth crew movements.
D. Crew Cost Control and Budget Management
Prepare and maintain a rolling 12-month crew cost budget and rotation plan for the top four officers on each assigned vessel, aligned with fleet and key account requirements.
Monitor monthly crew costs in Shipmate, identifying budget variances, cost trends, and savings opportunities.
Submit monthly crew cost reports with variance analysis, explanatory comments, and corrective actions where required.
Maintain accurate forecasts covering crew changes, salaries, travel, training, and other crewing expenses.
Optimise costs without compromising crew quality, safety, regulatory compliance, or operational readiness.
E. Audit, Vetting and Operational Support
Monitor crew-related audit and vetting performance and coordinate preparations for inspections and assessments.
Work closely with Marine, Operations, Technical, and HSEQ Departments to address crew-related findings and implement corrective actions.
Ensure crew qualifications, training records, and competency evidence are readily available and compliant.
Monitor applicable Oil Major, charterer, and vessel-specific requirements to maintain operational eligibility.
Visit assigned vessels whenever practicable, particularly when calling at Singapore, to engage with seafarers and address crew-related matters.
F. Crew Management Systems and Data Administration
Ensure effective adoption and consistent use of Shipmate across all assigned crewing activities.
Maintain ownership of crew data, rotation schedules, certificates, training records, and related documentation.
Ensure crew movements, costs, and documentation status are accurately recorded and promptly updated in Shipmate.
Improve system utilisation, reporting accuracy, and crewing administration efficiency.
G. Crew Welfare, Medical and Claims Administration
Coordinate crew medical and P&I claims, ensuring supporting documentation is complete and submitted promptly.
Liaise with internal departments, insurers, P&I correspondents, and medical providers on crew-related claims.
Support the handling of crew welfare concerns, grievances, and disciplinary matters in accordance with company policies and applicable requirements.
Maintain appropriate communication with seafarers to facilitate timely resolution of personnel matters.
H. Manning Agent Management and Performance
Conduct periodic visits and performance reviews of approved manning agents.
Conduct or coordinate audits covering recruitment practices, crew qualifications, certification, documentation, and regulatory compliance.
Monitor agent performance in crew quality, availability, retention, responsiveness, and cost effectiveness.
Document audit findings, agree corrective actions, and ensure timely follow-up.
Maintain effective working relationships with manning agents to ensure reliable crew supply and continuity across the assigned fleet.
Requirements:
Relevant maritime qualification, degree, or professional certification in maritime studies, crewing, human resources, or a related discipline.
Substantial crew management experience in commercial shipping, preferably involving oil, gas, chemical, or product tankers.
Sound knowledge of STCW, MLC 2006, Flag State requirements, tanker-specific training, crew certification, and applicable CBAs.
Proven experience in crew planning, recruitment, retention, budgeting, and manning agent management.
Familiarity with Oil Major vetting requirements and tanker crew competency standards.
Experience with Shipmate or similar crew management systems.
Strong organisational, analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to manage competing operational priorities.

Work arrangement
No