Dry Dock Technical Manager

The Atlas Corp. and Seaspan teams are goal-driven and share a high-performance culture, focusing on building services offerings to become a leading asset manager. Seaspan provides many of the world's major shipping lines with alternatives to vessel ownership by offering long-term leases on large, modern containerships and pure car, truck carriers (PCTCs) combined with industry leading ship management serves. Seaspan's fleet has evolved over time to meet the varying needs of our customer base. We own vessels in a wide range of sizes, from 2,500 TEU to 24,000 TEU vessels. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlas Corp, Seaspan delivers on the company's core strategy as a leading asset management and core infrastructure company.

Role Overview: 

The Dry Dock Technical Manager is responsible for overseeing all    technical aspects of dry-docking operations, ensuring that projects are executed efficiently, safely, and within budget. This role involves coordinating with various stakeholders, including Ops teams, Project Teams, shipyard personnel, and regulatory bodies, to maintain the highest standards of quality and safety.

Job Responsibilities:

• Project Management: manage dry docking / Retrofit projects from planning through execution, ensuring timely, safe & high-quality completion within budget.
• Maximum value from allocated Dry-dock budgets and costs saving potentials are harvested
• Work with DD Project Manager / Commercial Team and ensure vessels are docked at the most suitable and economical shipyard, at the most appropriate time and in the most cost-effective manner.
• Technical Oversight: Provide technical guidance and support during maintenance and repair activities, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including shipowners, classification societies, and suppliers, to ensure project alignment and successful outcomes
• Budget Management: Develop and manage project budgets, tracking expenses and ensuring cost-effective operations
• Quality Assurance: Implement quality control measures and conduct regular inspections to ensure work meets established standards.
• Reporting: Prepare and present technical reports and project updates to senior management and other stakeholders.
• Regulatory Compliance: Stay updated on relevant regulations and ensure all operations comply with maritime safety and environmental standards.
• Drive and implement standardization of the dry-docking process across the organization in line with industry wide best practices including alignment of dry dock specifications. Constantly review dry dock process for continuous improvements, support DD Project manager
• Works closely with Fleet Managers (FMs) and Vessel Managers (VMs) to organize pre-docking inspections and assessment of vessels due for docking which includes timely physical inspection by respective Vessel Managers and pre-docking assessment of assigned vessels in accordance with Seaspan’s docking procedure. Deliverable: Vessel Drydocking Repairs Assessment Report (Pre-docking) which must translate to docking specifications.
• Works closely with FMs and VMs to ensure timely preparation of repair and bidding specifications and budget: Detailed bid specification/s will be prepared for assigned dockings for each vessel. Specification should be sufficiently detailed to address generic docking scope, main and auxiliary equipment overhauls, recertification of LSA/FFA and all known and identified defects from vessel inspection and assessment including vessel’s fabric.
• In collaboration with Fleet Management team prepare Rolling forecast budget for each CAPEX Project to be built a year in advance of the docking followed by CAPEX Request 12 months ahead of the docking. Deliverables: Detailed Repair Specification, CAPEX Rolling Forecast Budget, Executive Communication and Approval
• In partnership with the Procurement, Fleet Management team and the Asset Integrity team, prepare assessment of docking bids and submit recommendations: Assess the suitability of various dockyards. Collected docking proposals will be analyzed for completeness, accuracy and responsiveness and based on the collected data a recommendation will be made. Analysis will address price, mobilization, prior experience, and other factors considered critical to success. Deliverables: Shipyard audit report, Price analysis for shortlisted docking options, Recommendation for shipyard option
• Ensure Preparation of docking report by the attending Vessel Manager: Completion of the docking process requires the issuance of a formal written docking report. Report is to address all major elements of the docking and is to be provided to Senior VP, Fleet Directors, Fleet Managers, ship group and the Vessel. Deliverables: Final docking report, Service reports from shipyard and contractors in attendance, QA QC Dossier from shipyard, Revalidated Class certificates and equipment testing certificates
• Analyse docking costs and invoices to identify cost optimization opportunities
• Purchasing, Logistics and Administration: Formulating list of spares, stores and services required for executing each element of the docking, at-least 10 months or prior in advance of docking commencement to ensure spares are delivered on board by most cost-effective means in a timely manner. Coordinate and oversee the purchasing requirements for dockings complying with the levels of authority and Manager’s sign off as well as ensuring transparency interface with the finance function. Liaising with procurement team and local agency to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of spares required for project execution. Deliverables: Purchase Requisitions and Orders, Service Requisition and Orders, Shipyard Repair Contract. Initiate volume bundling project 1-year in advance for best discounts.
• Multiple simultaneous projects: During periods of high docking volumes, docking supervision contractors to be hired to cope with the increased demand. Competent contractors with competitive day rates to be interviewed and mentored to complete docking projects in line with requirements stated above.

Performance 

• Be the key contact person for dry dock related issues and topics.

• Detailed preparation of the standard items of the dry dock specs

• Detailed preparation of the vessel specific non-standard specs from pre-docking assessment services and inputs from the Vessel manager.

• Review dry dock specifications and in coordination with Procurement submit the same to agreed shipyards for quotation.

• Carry out detailed comparison of shipyard quotation and provide recommendations on dry-dock options, basis costs/availability.

• Timely planning, sourcing, and deployment of docking service providers / assistants

• Coordinate with the nominated paint supplier and other internal stakeholders, to finalize the paint requirements, as per agreed paint strategy.

• Evaluate quality of dockings based on agreed and established measures.

• Analyze previous docking costs and invoices to identify cost optimization opportunities.

• Provide inputs on the invoicing and negotiation of final invoice.

Budgeting

Assist Ops Team in Preparing/ submitting DD budgets or Repair or Major Retrofit Budgets

• Ensure dry dock budget alignment across fleet groups

• Coordinate with the accounts department for Monthly DD project expense report. Monthly review of yard cost & non- yard cost spent prior (once project starts) and post docking (project completion), with feedback to respective Fleet managers and Fleet Directors.

• Comprehensive understanding of cost drivers and key commercial challenges

• Other budget related activities as delegated by the Head of department

Communication 

• Liaise closely with relevant stakeholders on all aspects of dry dock planning and management and keep Technical Operations closely advised of any developments.

• Ensure, in cooperation with the Fleet Groups, that experience and knowledge gained are communicated and shared across the Ship Management organization to have best practices implemented and utilized to the benefit of Seaspan

Education & Experience:

• Minimum three years of experience in a superintendent level position or higher
• Previous experience as a chief engineer, mechanical engineer, or naval architect
• Able to coordinate the workflow processes between all parties and processes involved in drydocks and afloat repairs.
• Adept in the use of computer software (MS Office 365, MS Project, MS SharePoint)
• Good technical knowledge of various systems including deck machinery and ability to read technical drawings/manuals
• Work approach is diligent and organized and understands and accepts the importance of cost consciousness
• Required expertise includes detailed knowledge in the operation and repair of marine equipment and systems, knowledge of the applicable classification and flag state requirements, specific experience with ship repair and repair management, ability to prepare and follow budgets.
• Should be competent in time and resource management, should be capable of managing sometimes conflicting goals within a project and of making value decisions within a highly constrained environment.
• Good communication skills across multiple levels in the organization and with external and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to work in a global business environment with a strong sense of cultural diversity.
• Regular international travel is required and may be on short notice.
• Must be sufficiently mobile to conduct vessel inspections.
• Must carry a mobile device outside of office hours and check in regularly.
• Must maintain home internet connection for work outside of office hours.
• Periodic overtime to meet deadlines or accommodate time zone differences.
• Willingness to travel to shipyards, drydock locations, or project sites as needed.
• Ability to work under high-pressure conditions and flexible hours, especially during critical drydock phases.
• Must carry a mobile device outside of office hours and check in regularly.
• Must maintain home internet connection for work outside of office hours.
• Periodic overtime to meet deadlines or accommodate time zone differences.
• Support Technical Team as and when needed
• Back up for VMs if needed
• Requires adaptability to fast-paced work environments and managing shifting priorities.

Work Environment:

This role demands a combination of financial expertise, technical appreciation, and advanced analytical skills to drive efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the company’s dry-docking operations globally.