Vessel Agent

SDW Recruitment Limited; Southampton; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training provided

Job summary

SDW Recruitment Limited is seeking an experienced Vessel Agent in Southampton to join a busy Vessel Services team. You’ll manage vessel calls from arrival planning to departure, coordinating berthing, pilots, towage, crew changes and customs clearance, while liaising with Masters, port authorities and operational teams.

The role demands flexibility, including evenings and weekends, a hands-on approach, and the ability to stay calm under tight deadlines in a fast-moving port environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in Vessel Agency or ship husbandry.
• Knowledge of customs clearance and import/export procedures.
• Understanding of UK immigration requirements for seafarers.
• Knowledge of HMRC procedures relating to ships’ spares.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Fluent English.

Responsibilities

• Coordinating vessel arrivals, berthing, pilots, towage and mooring services.
• Liaising with Vessel Masters, port authorities and operational teams.
• Handling arrival and departure information for crew and passengers.
• Arranging crew changes and supporting visitors to vessels.
• Organising stores, fuel and vessel requirements.
• Completing customs clearances for import/export cargo.
• Monitoring vessel movements and reporting delays.
• Preparing documentation for vessel calls and checking invoices.
• Acting as local point of contact for problems or emergencies.

Skills

Vessel Agency

Ship husbandry

Organisational skills

Time management

Communication skills

Fluent English

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Southampton | Permanent | Salary dependent on experience

Are you an experienced Vessel Agent looking for a hands‑on role where you’ll be right at the heart of port operations?

We’re recruiting for an experienced Vessel Agent to join a busy Vessel Services team in Southampton. You’ll take responsibility for vessel calls from arrival planning through to departure, working closely with Masters, crew, port authorities and operational teams to make sure everything runs safely and smoothly.

This is a varied, fast-moving position suited to someone who already understands vessel agency or husbandry work and enjoys solving problems, dealing with people and keeping things moving.

About the Role:

As Vessel Agent, you’ll be the key local contact for vessels calling at the port.

You’ll coordinate everything from berthing, pilots and towage through to customs clearance, crew changes, stores and vessel requirements. You’ll also monitor vessel movements and keep everyone updated throughout each call.

Because shipping doesn’t operate to standard office hours, you’ll need to be comfortable working flexibly, including some evenings, weekends and unsociable hours when vessels require support.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Coordinating vessel arrivals, port stays and departures
• Monitoring vessel movements and keeping relevant teams informed
• Arranging berths, pilots, towage and mooring services
• Liaising with Vessel Masters, port authorities and operational teams
• Handling arrival and departure information for crew and passengers
• Arranging crew changes and supporting visitors to and from vessels
• Organising stores, fuel, spare parts, drinking water and other vessel requirements
• Completing customs clearances for import and export cargo
• Preparing and checking the documentation required for vessel calls
• Monitoring cargo operations and reporting any delays
• Completing port cost information and checking relevant invoices
• Acting as the local point of contact when problems or emergencies arise
• Supporting additional vessel and cargo agency work as required

What Our Client Is Looking For:

• Previous experience within Vessel Agency or ship husbandry
• Good knowledge of customs clearance and import/export procedures
• Understanding of UK Immigration requirements for seafarers
• Knowledge of HMRC procedures relating to ships’ spares
• Strong organisation and time-management skills
• The ability to stay calm and organised when working to tight deadlines
• Excellent attention to detail
• Clear and confident communication skills
• A practical approach to solving problems
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Fluent English
• A full, clean UK driving licence
• Flexibility to work outside normal office hours when vessel schedules require it

What’s on Offer

• Permanent position
• Varied, hands‑on role within vessel and port operations
• Opportunity to work directly with vessels, Masters, port authorities and operational teams
• A role with plenty of responsibility and day-to-day variety
• Training where required for the position

If you already have vessel agency or husbandry experience and enjoy a role where no two vessel calls are quite the same, we’d like to hear from you.