Job Title: Shipping Operator
The Shipping Operator serves as a vital intermediary between various departments within the company and external stakeholders such as Ship Owners, Vessels, Port Agents, and third-party Charterers. This role is essential for ensuring the seamless, safe, and efficient transportation of goods on chartered ships or, in instances of ships being employed by third parties, providing expert in-house support on all shipping-related matters.
Beyond the operational aspects, the Shipping Operator is responsible for maintaining an accurate representation of transportation arrangements and associated costs within the shipping software. In certain cases, handling non-demurrage claims related to vessels chartered in or out may also fall under the responsibilities of the Shipping Operator.
This dynamic and fast-paced role supports worldwide operations that function continuously across multiple time zones, often requiring availability beyond standard office hours.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist chartering in obtaining port restrictions and costs; screen Vessels with the Terminals/Ports.
- Guide Chartering and Trading on tank cleaning procedures and potential contamination risks.
- Screen the Vessels (including STS candidates) according to company vetting criteria and coordinate ship/shore compatibility checks.
- Issue voyage instructions to the Vessels.
- Develop stowage plans, including multi-grades, to accommodate trading arrangements, proposing the most efficient solutions.
- Optimize cargo stowage plans and bunker calculations, including grade conversions.
- Enhance Vessels’ routing based on speed/consumption curves, weather, and arrival deadlines.
- Arrange STS transfers, participate in Panama Canal auctions, and manage pre-bookings.
- Coordinate bunkering for the time-chartered fleet and negotiate potential quality/quantity disputes.
- Negotiate and arrange various shipping-related contracts (agency, towage, mooring, STS, etc.).
- Provide initial legal support to freight and trading concerning shipping-related matters.
- Negotiate LOI wordings and contribute to the elaboration of charter party clauses.
- Update the system, maintaining accountability for P&L; actively participate in system development interfacing with ETRM.
- Conduct periodic system reconciliations.
- Provide feedback on estimates versus actual voyage costs and optimization proposals.
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant shipping experience dealing with clean and dirty petroleum products; experience with chemicals and LNG/LPG is a plus.
- Must be a hardworking, structured team player; should adhere to corporate processes while maintaining an entrepreneurial mindset.
- Sailing experience as an Officer on an oil tanker is preferred but not mandatory if the candidate possesses solid and proven technical knowledge of vessels and cargo.
- Legal background or substantial exposure to claims under voyage/time-charter parties is desirable.
- Experience with the IMOS shipping system is advantageous, though not required.
- Good understanding of standard gas voyage/time-charter party forms, along with familiarity with tankers & dry shipping, FFAs, and basic freight and bunker risk management techniques.
- Knowledge of trading operations is essential.
- Fluency in English, both oral and written, is required.
- P&L conscious and commercially minded.
Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.