Case Study: Marine Superintendent – Permanent Hire for a Chemical Tanker Operator

Job title of Permanent Recruitment: Marine Superintendent

Recruitment Type: Permanent Recruitment

Business Type: Chemical Tanker Operator

Location: Singapore

Key Stakeholders: Vetting Manager (Australia) and Accounting Manager (Singapore)

Faststream Recruitment Representative:Sufia Algadri, Senior Recruitment Consultant - Asia-Pacific, Faststream Recruitment

When a shipowner specialising in chemical tankers was expanding their operations in Singapore, they faced a critical hiring need: a Marine Superintendent to support fleet growth and local office setup. With only one team member on the ground in Singapore and reporting lines back to Tokyo, the company needed someone who not only had strong chemical vessel experience but could also work independently, fit into a newly forming culture, and hit the ground running.

The client initially found their Technical Superintendent through internal networks but needed outside help for the Marine role. Faststream was introduced through an existing contact in Australia, and our consultant, Sufia Algadri, quickly took on the challenge of delivering the right person for this highly specialised and time-sensitive hire.

The Challenge

This search came with several clear challenges:

The company required a candidate with niche experience in chemical tankers, a highly competitive and specialised area of the maritime industry.
They were only open to hiring local or PR candidates based in Singapore, narrowing the talent pool even further.
As its Singapore team was in its early stages, cultural alignment and the ability to work autonomously were essential.

The Solution

Sufia began by providing a clear and professional introduction to Faststream’s services and global capability, helping the client feel confident in the process. She then took a full and detailed job brief, carefully unpacking the client’s technical requirements, team structure, and cultural expectations.

Once the terms were agreed, we immediately launched a focused search. Within one week, a shortlist of high-quality candidates was delivered. Each profile was presented with detailed commentary, outlining strengths, limitations, and fit for the business.

Through close consultation, the client selected one candidate to interview, who progressed quickly through the hiring process and was made an offer within the same month.

Open and transparent communication played a key role throughout. Sufia ensured the client had a realistic view of the market, kept them updated on progress, and managed expectations effectively, creating a smooth and successful partnership.

The Result

This was a time-sensitive and high-priority hire, and Faststream delivered results quickly and effectively. From signing terms to issuing the offer, the entire process was completed within the same month, ensuring minimal disruption to the client's expansion plans in Singapore.

Within just one week of confirming the assignment, we presented a shortlist of strong, relevant candidates. The client selected one individual for interview, who ultimately progressed through each stage and accepted the offer.

Key outcomes included:

A full shortlist delivered within one week of engagement
The first interviewed candidate was offered and accepted the role
Role filled within the same month, enabling operational continuity and growth
Seamless hiring experience with clear, honest, and timely communication throughout

The successful candidate is now in place, overseeing marine operations for the client’s chemical tanker fleet and playing a crucial role in supporting their growing Singapore presence.

Client Testimonial

"Faststream collaborates closely with maritime professionals, enabling them to quickly provide a diverse pool of valuable resources. They have a global presence, extending beyond Singapore. In the specialised and highly competitive chemical tanker industry, finding the right candidate for our role is extremely challenging. After my initial meeting with Sufia, where she took the time to understand our company’s background, culture, and compensation structure, she was able to quickly present a pool of highly qualified professionals that perfectly matched our needs. Sufia is highly effective in facilitating clear and precise communication between the employer and potential candidates. Essentially, finding the right candidate is just as important for an employer as it is for an employee to find the right employer."