Alex Hidalgo

Background

About Alex Hidalgo

Senior QSHE Marine Superintendent with over seven years of experience in marine safety, quality, security, health, and environmental management for chemical and oil tankers. I specialize in ensuring compliance with international regulations and ISO standards. Proficient in implementing Company Management Systems through marine inspections, navigation assessments, and internal audits. I conduct pre-vetting inspections, manage CDI, SIRE, and TMSA reviews with Oil Majors, and oversee timely responses and follow-ups. I am skilled in incident investigations, fleet flashes and lessons-learned bulletins. I provide ongoing guidance on safety, security, operations, and regulatory compliance to maintain the highest industry standards. With command experience on chemical and oil tankers, extensive expertise in handling oil and chemical cargoes in coated and stainless-steel tanks. proficient in tank cleaning, pre-wash requirements, and cargo tank tests (WWT, PPT, UV test, Red Methyl test), as well as passivation, pickling, and grade transitions from DPP to CPP and from MARPOL Annex I to Annex II and vice versa. I have substantial experience in dry docking, ship repairs, and cargo tank coating repairs, collaborating with leading coating manufacturers such as Jotun and Akzo Nobel to ensure adherence to their procedures. I keep owners and managers informed about cargo coating conditions, required materials and equipment, and coating repair progress, making every effort to maintain vessel hire status. I possess a strong understanding of aggressive chemicals, coating breakdown, and deterioration troubleshooting. I am proficient in Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway transits, STS operations (double banking, tandem), and high-risk area transits with vessel hardening plans. As an Alternative Company Security Officer, responsible for conducting initial ship security assessments, developing and submitting Ship Security Plans (SSPs) for approval, and ensuring their implementation. You promote security awareness and vigilance among the crew, ensure secure communications, and foster cooperation between the ship’s crew, company personnel, and contracting governments. Perform regular reviews of the SSP and conduct internal audits to maintain compliance and effectiveness. Assist in preparing vessels for transit through High-Risk Areas (HRAs), arrange Private Maritime Security Contractors (PMSCs), and closely monitor vessels during HRA transits. Additionally, keep vessels informed of current security threats and provide advice to mitigate associated risks.