Fleet Manager (m/f)d) in Hamburg

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