Job Purpose
The Claims Lead is responsible for the end-to-end management of all voyage and trade operations related claims — from identification and invoicing through negotiation to final settlement and recovery — ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and consistent tracking across both shipping and trading operations
Key Responsibilities:
Claims Identification & Invoicing
- Identify, quantify, and raise claims (e.g. Freight, demurrage, Hire, off-hire, contractual claims) arising from voyage and trade operations.
- Prepare and issue accurate, well-supported claim invoices and supporting documentation (SOFs, B/Ls, survey reports, correspondence, etc.) in a timely manner.
- Ensure claims are raised within applicable contractual and time-bar deadlines.
Negotiation & Settlement
- Lead negotiations with counterparties (owners, charterers, receivers, suppliers, agents, P&I clubs, etc.) to reach fair and timely settlements.
- Liaise with brokers, lawyers, surveyors, and P&I correspondents where required to support claim positions.
- Escalate complex or high-value disputes to the Operations Manager and/or management with clear recommendations.
Recovery & Financial Follow-up
- Actively chase and follow up on outstanding claims to maximize recovery and minimize aged/outstanding balances.
- Coordinate with Finance/Accounts on collection, offsetting, and reconciliation of settled claims.
- Maintain visibility over cash-flow impact of open claims and recoveries.
Tracking, Reporting & Process Improvement
- Maintain a centralized, up-to-date claims tracker/register covering both shipping and trading claims (status, ageing, amounts, next actions).
- Produce regular (e.g. weekly/monthly) claims status reports and recovery summaries for the Operations Manager and management.
- Identify recurring claim causes and recommend operational or contractual improvements to reduce future claims exposure.
- Standardize and streamline claims and invoicing workflows and templates.
Coordination & Compliance
- Work closely with Operations, Chartering, and Trading teams to gather facts, documents, and evidence needed to support claims.
- Ensure claims handling is consistent with charter party terms, sale/purchase contracts, and company policy.
- Maintain organized claim files/records for audit and reference purposes)
Qualifications & Background :
- Bachelor’s degree in Maritime Studies, Business, Law, Shipping/Logistics, or a related field.
- Minimum 3–5 years of relevant experience in shipping/chartering claims, demurrage, or trade operations claims handling (owner, charterer, trading house, or P&I/broking background considered).
- Solid understanding of charter party terms (voyage/time charter), laytime and demurrage calculations, and trade contract terms.
- Experience liaising with P&I clubs, surveyors, brokers, and legal counsel is an advantage.
