As new technologies and processes have been introduced into the marine world over time, the role of the superintendent on vessels such as cargo ships and liners has changed. As the technical linchpin between the vessel and onshore operations, a superintendent is a highly sought-after role. Whether you’re looking for cargo superintendent jobs or simply curious about if this is a career path that’s right for you, we’re breaking down what a superintendent does, their responsibilities, and how this has evolved over the years.
What Is A Superintendent?
A superintendent is the person on the ship who is in charge of the technical and operational running of the vessel. They work closely with the ship’s captain as well as external bodies to ensure the smooth running of the ship.
Historically, the superintendent would oversee everything on the maintenance and repair of the ships. But as the materials that made the ships changed from wood to steel, the complexities of managing this alone increased. Plus, with the introduction of new technologies, the role of the superintendent has shifted.
Now, their role extends far beyond just maintenance – with many ships having teams of engineers to assist with this. Instead, a superintendent oversees everything from technical to strategy and operations. While they are still technically responsible for the maintenance and well-being of the ship, they must also ensure that the ship is compliant with international maritime laws and environmental standards. The crew’s safety is also often a top responsibility of the superintendent.
What Are The Responsibilities Of A Superintendent?
The responsibilities of the superintendent are wide and cover a variety of areas. Some of their top responsibilities include:
Technical Management
This is to ensure that all of the mechanical components and structural integrity of the ship are intact. They must conduct regular assessments and inspections, as well as oversee the maintenance activities alongside the engineers. As a result, the superintendent must have a sound knowledge of maritime technologies, making this job a complex one.
Regulatory Compliance
With so many laws, both international and local to abide by, the superintendent is in charge of ensuring the ship complies with these. This also includes any labour laws and environmental protocols. The superintendent must be aware of and adapt existing processes according to policy changes.
Budget Management
Alongside the day-to-day management, the superintendent is also in charge of the financials. They will need to manage the maintenance budget and also be able to properly negotiate contracts with suppliers or service providers to help reduce costs.
Safety Drills
The crew’s welfare is imperative and the superintendent is in charge of making sure that safety drills and training are properly implemented in order to ensure the crew’s safety.
Why The Role Has Changed
The role has evolved over the years due to the introduction of new maritime technologies which have helped to improve processes while allowing for better crisis management and overview of ship maintenance. This has helped to allow superintendents to focus their efforts elsewhere outside of just the technical aspects. This has led to some calls for superintendents to become a contractor role rather than a full-time requirement, however, the role of the superintendent remains highly valuable.
As the maritime industry continues to change, it’ll be interesting to see how this role and many others are influenced further to enhance the efficiencies of the running of a ship.
