From Hull Fitter to Team Leader at a Major French Shipyard: Tomas’ Story

Shipbuilding is an industry where experience is built over many years and trust is earned through results. Some specialists come and go, while others build their careers steadily, one step at a time. Tomas is one of them.

Today, he leads the MARINO team at one of France’s largest shipyards. His journey began with the fundamentals of the trade: working as a hull fitter in Klaipėda.

Over more than 25 years in the shipbuilding industry, he has worked across different countries, projects and teams. Yet the most important lesson has remained the same: the strongest results are achieved when you are surrounded by people you can trust.

A career that began with ship hulls

Tomas was first introduced to shipbuilding in 1998, when he started working at a shipyard in Klaipėda.

“I started as a hull fitter. A few years later, I was invited to join the quality management department, where I worked for around ten years and gained a great deal of valuable experience.”

This period laid a strong foundation for his career. Working in production allowed him to understand shipbuilding processes first-hand, while his role in quality control gave him a broader understanding of technical requirements, industry standards and responsibility.

After more than a decade with the same company, the time came for a change.

“Eventually, it was time to leave the company and decide on the next step in my career. That path took me to France and to one of the country’s largest shipyards.”

It marked the beginning of a new chapter, one in which he had to return almost to where he had started.

“At first, I had to return to the hull fitter’s trade. I worked at the company for nine years, progressing through every stage, from fitter to team leader and, eventually, site supervisor.”

It was in France that Tomas gained most of his international experience and met many of the people who are now part of the MARINO team.

From six people to one of MARINO’s key projects

Tomas’ journey with MARINO began with a single phone call.

“My first step with MARINO was a call from Aurimas, who invited me to join his team.”

At the time, no one could have known exactly how much the project would grow. Today, it is one of MARINO’s most important operations in France.

“The beginning was modest: six of us arrived to launch the site.”

From the very first days, however, it was clear that long-term success would depend not on promises, but on results.

“We quickly earned the client’s trust and began receiving additional orders. The project continued to grow and is still developing successfully today.”

This story reflects MARINO’s approach particularly well. The company does not enter projects with big statements. It arrives with skilled specialists who know how to do the job. The client’s trust follows as a natural result of consistently high-quality work.

Projects you do not encounter every day

Over more than 25 years in shipbuilding, Tomas has worked on a wide range of projects. Some have stood out because of their highly specialised nature. One of the most interesting areas has been working with armoured steel on specialist naval projects.

“Both the structure of the material and the assembly and welding procedures are completely different from those used in standard shipbuilding.”

For understandable reasons, the details of these projects cannot be discussed publicly. This type of work requires exceptional precision, responsibility and specialised technical knowledge.

“I have been working in this field for around fifteen years.”

This experience lets Tomas understand not only the technical side of a project, but also the importance of having a reliable partner from the client’s perspective.

What makes MARINO valuable to its clients?

When asked how clients see MARINO, Tomas does not hesitate.

“From the client’s perspective, MARINO is a reliable partner.”

Reliability in international projects does not develop on its own. It is built through everyday decisions, meeting deadlines, maintaining quality and adapting effectively when circumstances change.

“The company stands out for its flexibility and its ability to achieve the agreed objectives on time and to a high standard.”

These qualities are among the key reasons MARINO works successfully with some of Europe’s largest shipyards and continues to build long-term partnerships. Read more about MARINO’s completed projects.

People who grow together with the project

Over the years, Tomas has seen hundreds of specialists join different projects. Some arrive highly confident in their abilities, while others doubt whether they can meet the demands of the job.

“I have met many different employees, from those who rate their abilities very highly, although reality does not always support that confidence, to those who doubt themselves but achieve excellent results when given encouragement.”

In his view, the most important factor in a person’s development is not talent or previous experience, but attitude.

“It depends entirely on their own motivation and willingness to improve.”

He applies the same principle to his own team, which he considers one of the most important parts of a successful project.

“I am grateful to the team because, in reality, you manage the process, but all the work is carried out by their hands.”

For Tomas, this is why having people you can rely on is the most valuable thing a manager can have.

“In my opinion, having a team you can trust is the most important thing.”

The goal is to maintain what has been built

Today, the MARINO team in France has established a strong position. Yet Tomas approaches the future the same way he approached the project’s first days: with responsibility, consistency and a focus on the work that needs to be done.

“Our plans for the future remain the same: to maintain the pace we have achieved and ensure that everyone is satisfied with the work: the client, the employer and the employees themselves.”

It is a simple principle, but one that accurately reflects what long-term success in international projects requires.

Experience is built over time

Tomas’ story is a reminder that a strong career in shipbuilding is not built overnight. It develops over decades, through hundreds of decisions, demanding projects and the people you meet along the way.

From working as a hull fitter in Klaipėda to leading one of MARINO’s most important projects in France, his journey shows what can be achieved through consistent work, accumulated experience and a strong team. It is people like Tomas who continue to build MARINO’s reputation in the international shipbuilding industry.