Position Summary
The Head of Shipping leads the company's shipping and freight function, overseeing vessel chartering, freight risk management, and logistics coordination to ensure safe, compliant, and cost-efficient transportation of physical commodity cargoes.
The role acts as the key interface between trading, operations, and the shipping market, and oversees demurrage and claims performance across the fleet.
Primary Responsibilities
1. Chartering & Freight Procurement
• Lead vessel chartering activities, including voyage and time charters, to support trading and logistics requirements.
• Negotiate freight rates and charter party terms with shipowners and brokers.
2. Freight Risk Management
• Manage freight market exposure using FFAs and other freight derivatives.
• Monitor freight market trends and advise trading desks on freight cost implications.
3. Fleet & Vessel Operations Oversight
• Oversee vessel nomination, scheduling, and voyage performance monitoring.
• Ensure vessel vetting, safety, and quality standards are met, including SIRE and vessel screening requirements.
4. Demurrage & Claims Oversight
• Oversee demurrage calculations, claims, and dispute resolution in coordination with the Demurrage & Claims team.
• Ensure timely and accurate laytime documentation and settlement.
5. Counterparty & Broker Relationship Management
• Build and maintain relationships with shipowners, charterers, brokers, and P&I clubs.
• Negotiate commercial terms and manage counterparty performance.
6. Regulatory & HSE Compliance
• Ensure compliance with maritime regulations, sanctions requirements, IMO/environmental standards, and internal HSE policy.
• Maintain robust vessel vetting and risk assessment processes.
7. Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner with Trading, Operations, and Legal to align shipping strategy with trading and delivery commitments.
• Provide freight market insight to support trading and origination decisions.
8. Leadership & Team Development
• Lead and develop the shipping and chartering team.
• Promote a culture of safety, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
Required Experience
1. Shipping, Chartering, or Freight Trading Experience
10-15 years of experience in shipping, chartering, or freight trading within commodity trading, shipowning, or shipbroking environments, including leadership responsibility.
2. Chartering and Freight Risk Track Record
Proven track record in vessel chartering, freight risk management, and demurrage and claims oversight.
Knowledge and Skills
1. Chartering Practices and Freight Markets
Strong knowledge of chartering practices, charter party terms, and freight markets.
2. Freight Derivatives and Hedging
Expertise in freight derivatives, including FFAs, and freight risk hedging.
3. Maritime Regulatory, Vetting, and HSE Standards
Strong understanding of maritime regulations, vessel vetting, and HSE standards.
4. Negotiation and Counterparty Management
Excellent negotiation and counterparty management skills.
5. ERP, ETRM, and Shipping Systems
ERP/ETRM and shipping systems knowledge, preferably SAP functional skills.
Education and Certifications
• Bachelor's Degree in Maritime Studies, Logistics, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
• Shipbroking or chartering qualification, such as ICS, is desirable.
