Abdul Khader Muhammed
Technical Superintendent – Marine Operations
Ras Al Khaimah
Summary
Marine operations leader with over 17 years of international experience in fleet-wide vessel maintenance, drydocking, and technical management across dredging and offshore fleets. Demonstrated expertise in vessel conversions, upgrades, flag changes, newbuild support, and recycling programs. Recognized for driving operational continuity, compliance excellence, and cost optimization on multi-million-euro assets. Currently part of the international superintendent pool, directly supporting Trailing Suction Hopper Dredgers operating worldwide, while overseeing regional fleets including Cutter Suction Dredgers, Backhoe dredgers, tugs, and multi-purpose stationary equipment. Positioned to contribute at a managerial level, strengthening fleet efficiency, governance, and sustainable operational performance.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
11
11
Certifications
Work History
Technical Superintendent
Van Oord – Marine Ingenuity
01.2013 - Current
- Provide fleet-wide technical oversight for marine assets including TSHDs, CSDs, backhoe dredgers, tugs, multi-purpose vessels, and stationary equipment.
- Prepare, manage, and control operational and capital budgets; authorize expenditures and monitor technical and financial performance.
- Direct Planned Major Repairs (PMR), vessel modifications, and upgrades across international shipyards, from design stage through execution and delivery.
- Ensure full compliance with Class, Statutory, and QHSE requirements; lead audits, incident close-outs, and corrective action implementation.
- Advise on fleet manning strategies; evaluate senior crew performance and support competency and appraisal systems.
- Manage multiple global technical projects, including newbuilds, coordinating shipyards, designers, and subcontractors across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
- Oversee quality control inspections during construction, conversions, upgrades, and drydockings, ensuring adherence to Class, Flag, and client specifications.
- Stationed at the regional storage and lay-up yard (MEWA Hub), serving as part of the yard management team and acting as deputy to the Yard Manager when required; involved in procurement, logistics, storekeeping, and inventory control.
- Coordinate incident response, insurance claims, and damage control, acting as first point of contact within the incident management team.
- Represent Van Oord in technical and commercial negotiations with shipyards, suppliers, and regulatory authorities.
- Act as technical representative for regional projects, supporting day-to-day operations, modifications, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Selected Achievements
- Successfully completed 20+ drydockings across UAE and international shipyards, ensuring Class compliance, cost control, and minimal operational downtime.
- Key contributor to the Lifetime Extension Project for TSHD Rotterdam at ASRY, Bahrain (2021–2022), extending operational life in full compliance with Class requirements.
- Led Upgrade Project of shallow water pipe-lay barge Stingray (UAE, 2020): installed additional welding station/tensioner, repositioned sea chest, and enhanced technical capability.
- Managed multiple vessel recycling projects under EU SRR and Hong Kong Convention standards.
- Directed newbuild projects including Anchor Handling Pontoons (AHP 1730 & 1731), Side Wire Pontoons (SWP 1770–1775), and land-based booster pontoon Jabbar for KNPC.
- Oversaw mission equipment installation exceeding 1,000 tons for vessel Braveness (2017–2018), coordinating 30+ international partners.
- Key role in project management of 3,000+ tons of deck equipment structures for offshore installation vessel BOREAS (2024–2025).
- Managed design, calculation, and installation of a sieve structure onboard TSHD Volvox Olympia for Palm Jumeirah Maintenance Project (2023) without operational interruption.
- Executed two flag change projects, including a recent mid-life upgrade of TSHD Volvox Olympia (2025):
- Netherlands → Panama (2021)
- Panama → India with new Class entry (IRS), modernized systems, and prepared the 23-year-old vessel for its next journey under the new flagship.
Project Engineer
Royal IHC
01.2008 - 01.2013
- Gained hands-on experience with dredger construction, delivery, and components at one of the world’s leading dredger builders.
- Led technical drawings, QA/QC, procurement, and preventive maintenance for marine projects.
- Managed procurement of critical items and vendor development.
- Supervised new build parts, services, repairs, and spares management.
- Conducted onboard testing including vibration monitoring and flow tests.
Internship
Kinetic Motors
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Assisted in project scheduling, reporting, and quality plan execution.
Education
Engineering Diploma - Mechanical Engineering, Tool & Die Specialization
State Board of Technical Education
Kerala, India01.2008
Skills
- Fleet-Wide Project Management: new builds, conversions, upgrades, lifetime extensions, flag changes, recycling programs
- Vessel Maintenance & Drydocking: TSHDs, CSDs, backhoe dredgers, tugs, multi-purpose vessels, stationary equipment
- Planned Major Repairs (PMR): initiation, budgeting, execution, and delivery
- Compliance Leadership: Class, Statutory, ISM, ISO, QHSE, EU SRR, Hong Kong Convention
- Budgetary Control & Procurement Strategy: multi-million-euro vessel budgets, vendor development and negotiations
- Crew Competency Development & Performance Management
- Offshore Construction Oversight & Operational Continuity
- Incident & Claims Management: insurance coordination, damage assessment, corrective actions
- Production & Quality Expertise: CSWIP 31 Certified Welding Inspector with strong understanding of materials, wear, fatigue, and structural integrity
- International Stakeholder Coordination: technical and commercial interface with yards, vendors, and authorities
- Safety Leadership & Risk Management: PTW systems, RAMS, audits, incident prevention culture
Sustainability & Social Engagement: volunteering initiatives and support to sustainable operations
Preventive maintenance planning
Maritime law
Safety management systems
Team leadership
Websites
References
Professional references available upon request
Certification
Classification & Statutory Surveys (Lloyd’s)
Interests
Approved volunteer under Volunteerae (20–30 hrs/month); major involvement in Expo 2020 Dubai, Built and maintain a RIB (“Ain”) from scrap; regularly upgraded and sailed with family, Regular exercise and marathon participation, Sustainability ambassador within company, promoting eco-friendly practices, Family-oriented outdoor travel
Timeline
Technical Superintendent
Van Oord – Marine Ingenuity
01.2013 - Current
Project Engineer
Royal IHC
01.2008 - 01.2013
Internship
Kinetic Motors
01.2007 - 01.2008
Engineering Diploma - Mechanical Engineering, Tool & Die Specialization
State Board of Technical Education