Assistant Manager – Operations, Shipping Agency

Milaha; Doha; On-site; QAR 300,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Milaha invites experienced candidates for the role of Assistant Manager - Operations, Shipping Agency. The position focuses on optimizing vessel calls, berthings, cargo handling, and regulatory compliance to ensure safe and efficient port operations.

The ideal candidate has a decade of shipping agency operations experience, strong negotiation and planning skills, and proficiency in MS Office with excellent English.

Qualifications

• Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Economics, Engineering, Maritime Studies, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in shipping agency operations.
• Strong knowledge of vessel operations, port agency services, cargo handling, loading/discharging, and stowage.
• Good understanding of maritime regulations, customs procedures, and port authority requirements.
• Proven experience coordinating with shipping lines, vessel operators, principals, and port authorities.
• Strong negotiation, communication, operational planning, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office and excellent command of English.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and coordinate daily shipping agency operations, ensuring smooth vessel arrivals, berthing, cargo handling, and departures.
• Liaise with port authorities, customs, terminal operators, shipping lines, vessel masters, and principals to facilitate efficient port calls.
• Manage vessel pre-arrival arrangements, port clearances, regulatory documentation, and operational requirements.
• Prepare and coordinate Proforma Disbursement Accounts (PDA), port charges, and related financial arrangements.
• Negotiate and coordinate with principals, charterers, and port operators on agency services, operational matters, and applicable charges.
• Monitor cargo loading, discharging, stowage and vessel operations to minimize delays, damages, and claims.
• Coordinate crew changes, medical assistance, shore leave, and other vessel-related services.
• Ensure compliance with port regulations, maritime requirements, and HSSE standards.
• Maintain strong relationships with shipping lines, principals, port authorities, and service providers.

Skills

Vessel operations

Port coordination

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Operations planning

MS Office

English proficiency

Education

Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Economics, Engineering, Maritime Studies, or related

Job description

We are looking for an experienced and results-driven Assistant Manager - Operations, Shipping Agency to join our team at Milaha.

The ideal candidate will bring strong expertise in shipping agency operations, port coordination, vessel handling, and stakeholder management, with a proven ability to ensure safe, efficient, and seamless vessel operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee and coordinate daily shipping agency operations, ensuring smooth vessel arrivals, berthing, cargo handling, and departures.
• Liaise with port authorities, customs, terminal operators, shipping lines, vessel masters, and principals to facilitate efficient port calls.
• Manage vessel pre-arrival arrangements, port clearances, regulatory documentation, and operational requirements.
• Prepare and coordinate Proforma Disbursement Accounts (PDA), port charges, and related financial arrangements.
• Negotiate and coordinate with principals, charterers, and port operators on agency services, operational matters, and applicable charges.
• Monitor cargo loading, discharging, stowage, and vessel operations to minimize delays, damages, and claims.
• Coordinate crew changes, medical assistance, shore leave, and other vessel-related services.
• Ensure compliance with port regulations, maritime requirements, and HSSE standards.
• Maintain strong relationships with shipping lines, principals, port authorities, and service providers.

Requirements:

• Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Economics, Engineering, Maritime Studies, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in shipping agency operations.
• Strong knowledge of vessel operations, port agency services, cargo handling, loading/discharging, and stowage.
• Good understanding of local and international maritime regulations, customs procedures, and port authority requirements.
• Proven experience coordinating with shipping lines, vessel operators, principals, and port authorities.
• Strong negotiation, communication, operational planning, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office and excellent command of English.

Who We're Looking For:

A proactive shipping agency professional with a hands-on operational background, strong commercial awareness, and the ability to manage multiple vessel calls while maintaining high standards of service, safety, and operational efficiency.