Unathi Bilana
Walmer
Summary
A highly experienced Marine Operations Specialist with 15 years in the marine industry, specializing in marine engineering, vessel operations, and regulatory compliance. Skilled at leading technical teams, optimizing operational processes, and ensuring safety and efficiency in maritime environments. Possesses strong problem-solving, leadership, and analytical skills, with a proven ability to manage complex marine operations, enhance fleet performance, and drive continuous improvements. A dedicated professional with a passion for innovation, team development, and delivering high-quality maritime solutions.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Marine Operations Manager
Transnet National Ports Authority
08.2023 - Current
- Assures fleet wide compliance with all applicable rules and regulations regarding shipboard Lifesaving and Safety, such as provided by SOLAS, flag states, Classification Societies, and company Safety Management System
- Delivery of operational financial and non-financial performance against agreed targets
- Dealing with business queries and build relationships with internal and external clients, as appropriate, to resolve service problems and build the business
- Ensuring excellent service to internal and external customers in accordance with established quality standards and in compliance with the requirements of the Group Management System
- Coordinate and deal with day-to-day vessel operations
- Prepares evaluations during ship visits and develops operational improvements
- Maintains liaison with technical operations, flag and port state authorities for reporting casualties and incidents, and to coordinate corrective actions
- Schedule employees work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives
- Monitor and measure how all employees undertake their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed
- Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve targets
- Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship
- Initiate corrective action and follows up on discrepancies and action items from inspections and audits as recorded in the system
Chief Marine Engineering Officer (Management)
Transnet National Port Authority
07.2018 - 07.2023
- Responsible for the entire technical operations of the vessel including engineering, electrical, and mechanical divisions
- Head of the entire engine department aboard the ship
- Overall responsibility for all technical operations and equipment on-board the boat
- Collaborate on security, survival and health care on board, observe the national and international standards of application
- Read and comprehend job-related reports, analyze the content of reports and apply findings to daily work operations
- Maintain the engines and engine room equipment of a vessel
- Conduct pre-checks prior to departure and ongoing examinations during the voyage
- Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximize their performance and contribution
Acting Marine Operations Manager
Transnet National Ports Authority
06.2023 - 02.2023
- Assures fleet wide compliance with all applicable rules and regulations regarding shipboard Lifesaving and Safety, such as provided by SOLAS, flag states, Classification Societies, and company Safety Management System
- Delivery of operational financial and non-financial performance against agreed targets
- Dealing with business queries and build relationships with internal and external clients, as appropriate, to resolve service problems and build the business
- Ensuring excellent service to internal and external customers in accordance with established quality standards and in compliance with the requirements of the Group Management System
- Coordinate and deal with day-to-day vessel operations
- Prepares evaluations during ship visits and develops operational improvements
- Maintains liaison with technical operations, flag and port state authorities for reporting casualties and incidents, and to coordinate corrective actions
- Schedule employees work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives
- Monitor and measure how all employees undertake their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed
- Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve targets
- Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship
- Initiate corrective action and follows up on discrepancies and action items from inspections and audits as recorded in the system
Marine Engineering Officer (middle management)
Transnet National Ports Authority
06.2012 - 02.2018
- Troubleshoot and attend to operator-level repair of equipment and machinery onboard harbor tug
- Work alongside Fleet Engineers during repairs and preventive maintenance of harbor tug
- Perform lookout and fire-fighting duties as required by Tug Master
- Carry out harbor tug bunkering process and monitor fuel consumption of harbor tug
- Handle towlines, tow winch and equipment during tug operations
- Attend to the safe securing of harbor tug moored alongside and assist in splicing/replacing of tow ropes
- Check validity and operational readiness of all life-saving apparatus and other appliances on board harbor tug
Cadet
RK Offshore (MCS)
06.2010 - 04.2012
- Learning about offshore tug operations and most importantly learning about engineering and how to be a good marine engineer
Workshop trainee
Transnet School of Engineering
01.2009 - 11.2009
- Assembling and installing machines then testing them to make sure they are working correctly Must work in full compliance with the approved safety regulations
- Understanding and learning about engine room machinery
- Designing and making tools
- Managing the layout and placement of equipment and machinery in factory settings to ensure minimum downtime
- Identifying and repairing problematic parts of a machine by running tests, making temporary repairs
- Overseeing preventive maintenance by identifying and correcting potential issues, removing worn out pieces and lubricating mechanical parts
Education
Honours - Business Analysis and System Analysis
University of Cape Town
01.2025
Bachelor’s degree - business administration
Management collage of South Africa
01.2021
Chief Marine Engineering Officer program -
Durban University of Technology
06.2013
Marine Engineering program -
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
01.2012
Matric -
St Matthews High School
Keiskammahoek01.2007
Skills
- Adaptability
- Knowledge of maritime regulations
- Analytical skills
- Communication Skills
- Report writing
- People management
- Maritime expertise
- Emergency response coordination
- Project management
- Environmental compliance
- Innovative
- Budget management and cost control
Secondaryeducation
St Matthews High School in Keiskammahoek, Matric, 12/31/07
Professionalcompetencies
- Willing to learn and able to adapt to different working conditions
- Comprehensive knowledge and sound application of law in various fields and sound knowledge of maritime regulations and codes
- Good analytical skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills including report writing skills
- Good people management and conflict management skills
- Good negotiation skills
Languages
- Xhosa
- English
- Zulu
References
- Xoliswa Bekiswa, +27 79 438 1910
- Fungiwe Ntuli, +27 71 602 0015
Hobbies and Interests
- Traveling
- Reading
Attributes
- Ability to work individually or with a team effectively
- Good communication and hard worker dedicated to my work
- Good interpersonal relations skills
- Good planning and organizational skills
- Logical thinking, sound reasoning & accuracy
- Passion for teaching
Personal Information
- ID Number: 8805180893087
- Gender: Female
- Nationality: South African
- Driving License: Code 10
Certification
- Designated Duty Engineer
- Chief Engineer Officer (Port operations)
Timeline
Marine Operations Manager
Transnet National Ports Authority
08.2023 - Current
Acting Marine Operations Manager
Transnet National Ports Authority
06.2023 - 02.2023
Chief Marine Engineering Officer (Management)
Transnet National Port Authority
07.2018 - 07.2023
Marine Engineering Officer (middle management)
Transnet National Ports Authority
06.2012 - 02.2018
Cadet
RK Offshore (MCS)
06.2010 - 04.2012
Workshop trainee
Transnet School of Engineering
01.2009 - 11.2009
- Designated Duty Engineer
- Chief Engineer Officer (Port operations)
Honours - Business Analysis and System Analysis
University of Cape Town
Bachelor’s degree - business administration
Management collage of South Africa
Chief Marine Engineering Officer program -
Durban University of Technology
Marine Engineering program -
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Matric -
St Matthews High School
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