Leadership Team
Senior maritime professionals currently deployed in complex port authority and marine environments.
Rui dos Santos, AFNI
Founder
Executive Consultant & Project Director
Rui dos Santos is an accomplished maritime executive with a global portfolio in port authority leadership, operational implementation, and human element safety programs. He currently serves as the Acting Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the JCPDI Port Authority in Saudi Arabia under the Royal Commission. In this capacity, he leads the full operational framework for the port, governing marine and terminal operations, regulatory compliance, and strategic development for this growing industrial gateway.
Operational Implementation Specialist
Proven track record in designing and mobilizing complete marine service packages, including high-profile projects in the Dominican Republic (Caucedo) and Mozambique (Maputo & Nacala). As Country Manager for P&O Maritime, he oversaw an 8-year implementation of harbour towage and pilot boat services in the Port of Maputo, introducing state-of-the-art tug technology and establishing accredited cadet training programs that developed the nation's first female marine pilots and engineers.
Human Factors & Behavioral Safety Expert
Architect of the TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) program, a global behavioral safety initiative that integrates human performance principles into marine operations. His operational improvement program for riverine barge operations in South America led to a~90% reduction in insurance claims.
Core Expertise
Executive Leadership (Acting COO, Deputy COO) • Operational Implementation • Marine Services Frameworks • Due Diligence & Auditing • Port Authority Governance • Emergency Response • Tug & Pilotage Operations • Terminal Excellence
Education & Background
Maritime Studies background with specialized professional development in Ship Superintendency (Lloyds College, UK). Sea-going career rising to Chief Mate on foreign-going container and bulk carrier vessels. Former Distinguished Teacher award-winner at Cape Peninsula University of Technology, specializing in STCW courses and bridge simulator training.
Credentials
Associate Fellow of the Nautical Institute (AFNI) • Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, Danish
Torben Solmer, MNI
Co-Founder
Executive Consultant & Marine Operations Specialist
Torben Solmer is a distinguished Master Mariner and Port Management professional with over three decades of experience across the global maritime sector. Currently serving as the Deputy Harbour Master for JCPDI Port in Saudi Arabia, Torben has been instrumental in the greenfield development of the Royal Commission's Port Authority, where he established critical regulatory frameworks, including Pilotage Directions and VTS procedures.
Port Authority & Training Expertise
Former Team Leader at FORCE Technology (DanSim), where he directed advanced ship simulation facilities, serving as a Subject Matter Expert in Ship Handling and Bridge Resource Management (BRM) for elite clients like the Danish and Norwegian National Pilot Services. Specialized experience includes developing hydrodynamic training for Ultra Large Crude Carriers (ULCCs) transiting the Suez Canal.
Offshore Operations Specialist
Extensive operational background with Maersk Supply Service spanning over 15 years, commanding vessels in ultra-deepwater campaigns across Brazil, East Africa, and the North Sea. Served as Senior Marine Superintendent, managing technical fleet verification, bollard pull testing, and new-build consultancy. Specialist in Dynamic Positioning (DP), subsea construction, and complex FSO/platform hook-ups.
Core Expertise
Port Authority Management • Strategic Port Regulations • IALA-aligned VTS Procedures • Offshore Operations (DP, subsea construction) • Seafarer Mental Health & Crew Wellbeing • Technical Auditing • Ship Handling & BRM Training
Education & Credentials
Master Mariner degree from Svendborg Navigations College • Diplomas in Port Management and Harbour Management (passed with Distinction) from Lloyds Maritime Academy • Certified KELVIN TOPSET Lead Investigator • Lloyds ISM Lead Auditor
Languages
Member of the Nautical Institute (MNI) • Fluent in Danish and English • Proficient in German • Basic Portuguese
Currently Deployed in Complex Environments
S&S Marine consultants are actively deployed within port authority and marine environments, including greenfield and developing ports operating under regulatory, political, and commercial pressure. This ensures that advice and support are grounded in current, real-world challenges.
The collective experience spans port authority advisory and regulatory development, harbour master functions, marine services implementation and recovery, offshore and energy marine operations, large-scale project delivery, and financial management across Middle East, Africa, Europe, and South America.