Chartering Operations Manager

Key Responsibilities

Chartering & Freight Procurement

• Source and evaluate suitable vessels for global bulk commodity shipments.
• Negotiate voyage charters, time charters, COAs, and freight contracts with shipowners and brokers.
• Analyze freight market developments, vessel positioning, and cargo opportunities.
• Review charter party terms, laycan requirements, freight structures, and voyage economics.
• Support traders with freight ideas and market intelligence to enhance trading profitability.

Post-Fixture Operations

• Manage vessel operations from fixture through voyage completion.
• Coordinate loading, discharging, transshipment, and delivery activities.
• Monitor vessel schedules and operational performance.
• Ensure compliance with charter party obligations and contractual requirements.
• Resolve operational issues affecting cargo movement and vessel performance.

Claims, Laytime & Demurrage

• Monitor laytime calculations and voyage performance.
• Review demurrage, despatch, and detention claims.
• Coordinate with counterparties to negotiate and settle freight-related claims.
• Ensure accurate voyage documentation and records management.

Commercial & Freight Strategy

• Develop freight procurement strategies across Handysize, Supramax, Ultramax, and Panamax vessel segments.
• Conduct voyage profitability analysis and freight benchmarking.
• Provide market updates, freight forecasts, and strategic recommendations to trading teams.
• Identify opportunities to improve freight efficiency and reduce transportation costs.
• Drive process improvements through automation, digitalization, and operational excellence initiatives.

Stakeholder Management

• Build relationships with shipowners, operators, brokers, port agents, and logistics partners.
• Work closely with trading, finance, risk, and supply chain teams.
• Support management reporting and performance analysis.
• Mentor and guide junior chartering and operations personnel where required.

Requirements

• Degree in Maritime Studies, Shipping, Logistics, Supply Chain, Business, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 8–12 years of experience in dry bulk chartering, freight trading, vessel operations, or commodity shipping.
• Strong knowledge of dry bulk freight markets, charter party agreements, laytime, demurrage, and voyage economics.
• Experience handling agricultural commodities or commodity trading logistics is highly preferred.
• Familiarity with Handysize, Supramax, Ultramax, and Panamax markets.
• Strong commercial negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced commodity trading environment.