Position Summary
The Demurrage & Claims Manager manages the end-to-end demurrage and claims process for the company's physical commodity shipments, ensuring accurate laytime calculations, timely claims submission and settlement, and effective resolution of disputes with counterparties, shipowners, and charterers.
The role protects the company's commercial and financial interests through disciplined claims management, accurate records, financial reconciliation, stakeholder coordination, and continuous improvement of claims handling processes.
Primary Responsibilities
1. Laytime & Demurrage Calculation
• Review vessel documentation, including statements of facts, notices of readiness, bills of lading, and charter parties, to calculate laytime and demurrage/despatch accurately.
• Ensure calculations comply with charter party terms and industry practice.
2. Claims Management
• Prepare, submit, and negotiate demurrage and other claims with counterparties, shipowners, and charterers.
• Track claims status and ensure timely resolution and settlement within target turnaround times.
3. Dispute Resolution
• Manage and resolve disputed claims, escalating to Legal or arbitration where necessary.
• Liaise with P&I clubs, average adjusters, and external counsel as required.
4. Documentation & Records Management
• Maintain accurate and complete records of laytime statements, claims correspondence, and settlements.
• Ensure all claims documentation is audit-ready and compliant with company policy.
5. Financial Reconciliation
• Reconcile demurrage provisions and settlements with Finance to ensure accurate accounting and cash flow forecasting.
• Monitor outstanding claims exposure and provide regular reporting to management.
6. Stakeholder Coordination
• Liaise with chartering, operations, trading, and legal teams to gather information required for claims.
• Coordinate with agents, surveyors, and brokers to obtain supporting documentation.
7. Process Improvement
• Identify recurring causes of demurrage and delay, and recommend operational improvements to reduce exposure.
• Contribute to development of standardised claims handling procedures and templates.
8. Team & Stakeholder Support
• Support and, where applicable, supervise claims analysts and junior team members.
• Provide training and guidance on laytime and claims best practice.
Required Experience
1. Demurrage, Claims, and Shipping Experience
6-10 years of experience in demurrage and claims handling, chartering, or shipping operations within commodity trading, shipowning, or shipbroking environments.
Knowledge and Skills
1. Charter Party, Laytime, and Demurrage Knowledge
Strong technical knowledge of charter party terms, laytime calculation, and demurrage/despatch principles.
2. Claims Negotiation and Dispute Handling
Experience handling and negotiating claims and disputes with counterparties and P&I clubs.
3. Attention to Detail and Analysis
Strong attention to detail and analytical skills.
4. Written Communication and Negotiation
Excellent written communication and negotiation skills.
5. ERP and ETRM Systems
ERP/ETRM systems knowledge, preferably SAP functional skills.
Education and Certificates
• Bachelor's Degree in Maritime Studies, Law, Business, or a related field.
• Demurrage/laytime or shipbroking qualification is desirable.
Technical Competencies
Laytime & Demurrage Calculation
Reviews vessel and charter documentation and accurately calculates laytime, demurrage, and despatch in accordance with applicable terms and industry practice.
Claims Negotiation & Dispute Resolution
Prepares, submits, negotiates, tracks, and resolves demurrage and related claims, escalating disputes when required.
Charter Party Interpretation
Interprets charter party terms and applies contractual provisions to calculations, claim positions, and settlements.
Documentation & Records Management
Maintains complete, accurate, audit-ready claims records, correspondence, supporting documents, and settlements.
Financial Reconciliation & Reporting
Reconciles provisions and settlements with Finance, monitors outstanding exposure, and provides management reporting.
Skills and Person Specification
Role-Specific Responsibilities: Manage laytime and demurrage calculations, claims submission and negotiation, dispute resolution, records, financial reconciliation, stakeholder coordination, and process improvement.
Department/Team Structure & Staffing: Supports and, where applicable, supervises claims analysts and junior team members.
Location & Work Arrangements: To be confirmed by the relevant manager.
Special Projects or Strategic Initiatives: Reduction of recurring demurrage exposure and development of standardised claims handling procedures and templates.
Reporting Metrics & Accountability: Claims settlement turnaround time; demurrage recovery rate; outstanding claims ageing and exposure; dispute resolution success rate; laytime calculation accuracy; and audit findings.
Critical Success Factors - First 90 Days: To be confirmed by the relevant manager.
Team Structure & Direct Reports: Claims analysts and junior team members, where applicable; final structure to be confirmed.
Preferred Candidate Profile & Soft Skills: Detail-oriented, analytical, commercially aware, organised, collaborative, and effective in written communication and negotiation.
Additional Manager Notes: Core Competencies: Leadership | Agility | Resilience | Quality | AI Fluency. Leadership Competencies: Speed of Execution | Build High-Performing Teams | Provide Direction | Build Process and Systems | Drive Cost Optimisation.
