Port Captain

The job holder manages activities within a designated area, providing stowage planning and solutions, planning port calls and coordinating all involved parties as may be needed to achieve the most cost-efficient port turn-rounds and coastal passages.

The job holder will supervise cargo operations as needed in conjunction with the vessels command, seeking improvements in cargo handling practices, identifying issues, and taking action to achieve gains in productivity and safety, whilst ensuring our customer's expectations in terms of cargo care are met.

The job holder will coordinate all designated operational activity – including the maintenance and provision of cargo handling equipment and consumables in his local area of responsibility - whilst working closely with the Voyage management team, the local Equipment Controller, other local colleagues as may be required and the management teams on board the ships.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the voyage management team in managing all aspects of Port Operations which can affect the voyage, vessel stowage planning and execution, finding solutions, ensuring that all necessary cargo handling equipment, lashing equipment, consumables are in place - ready, checked, tested and fit for purpose.

• Look after the company's interests in the ports in which he/she works. This necessitates a full understanding of all the cost elements of the Company's activities in the ports. This includes a direct responsibility for the company's activities and requirements related to the maintenance and provision of equipment and consumables, always working in close conjunction with the Equipment Controller – see also below.

• The jobholder will assist the Voyage management team to achieve the most cost-effective planning, control and management of coastal passages and individual port calls whilst ships are trading within his area of activity and responsibility.

• The job holder will adopt a highly proactive approach to his work, anticipating and reacting to problems as they occur.

• When performing supercargo activity, the job holder will - in conjunction with the Master, Chief Officer, Operator, Stevedore and Agent – take responsibility for the planning of the loading and discharging of the vessels according to the Voyage Planning and Execution Procedure. Detailed preplanning ahead of the operation should include ensuring that all equipment and materials required are available. When attending an operation, the job holder will always ensure that a satisfactory quality of stowage in terms of cargo care is achieved – agreed in conjunction with the ship's command

• When attending a particular operation, the job holder will undertake a full pre-planning meeting in the port prior ship's arrival, further meeting on board before start of operations followed by a daily meeting on board to ensure full understanding and involvement of ship's staff. Following the completion of cargo operations the job holder to undertake post-operations debrief meeting with port operator and agent. Load / discharge reports to be prepared and distributed according to company policy.

• Using his/her professional experience and know-how to undertake a continuous review of G2O´s operational practices and seek to identify potential improvements, including improvements in the cargo handling gear. The Port Captain should take every opportunity to analyse the logistical chain in the ports attended and report fully on both the status and his/her ideas for gaining operational efficiency improvements and / or voyage/port cost improvements.

• In coordination with responsible operations management, the Port captain will follow up on the issues identified – addressing problems and restrictions with the relevant people in the port or terminal during the period between ships, evaluating progress and reporting back during the next operation.

• Follow up with Suppliers in the ports – provide feedback on performance issues to local and regional offices and the procurement department as may be appropriate. The Port Captain will further provide support and input to the regional operations team in connection with the renewal of supplier contracts, rate negotiations etc.

• Take responsibility for day-to-day coordination and follow up with suppliers, including those responsible for the company's cargo handling equipment. The Port Captain will ensure that the local equipment maintenance providers are performing to the required levels to meet the Company's standards in terms of maintenance, inspection and certification.

• The Port Captain will provide reports covering equipment issues – and other port ops suppliers – as may be required.

• The Port Captain will provide necessary feedback and information to his / her counterparts who are working at the opposite end of the trade and if and when working in load ports will always take account of the needs of the discharge area when planning and managing a stowage – 'stow for discharge'.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS

Education:

Master Certificate or Sailed as Chief Officer (3-4 years min) or Bachelors in Naval Architecture can be considered

Experience:

• Previous experience as Port captain or Project Engineer in Marine / shipping sector Or Previous experience as a Senior Deck Officer (3-4 years)
• Advanced Break Bulk Cargo loading (lifting / stow / securing) and discharge planning and supervision experience
  Mandatory Port operation Supervision experience with terminals, Contractors (stevedores, hot work, securing etc) and surveyors

Specialist skills required:

• Knowledge of international rules and regulations as they apply to cargo handling and stowage, including use of IMDG code, CSS code of safe practice for cargo securing.
• Knowledge in cargo stowage applications (AutoCAD, Load planner CAD or similar)
• Available to travel as needed in the pacific region (with short notice) , and work flexible hours as required

Personal qualities:

• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with people at all levels.
• Proactive problem-solving attitude
• Good communication skills (English) both written and verbal.
• Methodical and organized