Demurrage & Claims Manager

UCC Holding; Doha; On-site; QAR 350,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

UCC Holding in Qatar is seeking a Demurrage & Claims Manager to oversee end-to-end laytime calculations, demurrage and despatch settlements, and claims handling for physical commodity shipments. You will lead dispute resolution with counterparties, shipowners and charterers, ensuring accurate records, timely settlements and compliance with charter party terms.

Strong analytical and negotiation skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 6–10 years of experience in demurrage and claims handling, chartering, or shipping operations.
• Strong knowledge of charter party terms, laytime calculation, and demurrage/despatch principles.
• Experience handling and negotiating claims and disputes with counterparties and P&I clubs.
• Excellent written communication and negotiation skills.
• ERP/ETRM systems experience, preferably SAP.

Responsibilities

• Manage laytime and demurrage calculations, claiming submission and negotiation, and dispute resolution.
• 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.
• Liaise with P&I clubs, average adjusters, and external counsel as required.
• Maintain accurate, audit-ready claims records and reconcile with Finance.
• Coordinate with chartering, operations, trading, and legal teams for supporting documentation.
• Identify recurring demurrage causes and recommend process improvements to reduce exposure.
• Provide training and guidance to junior team members on laytime and claims best practice.

Skills

Charter Party Knowledge

Laytime & Demurrage

Claims Negotiation

Dispute Handling

Attention to Detail

Written Communication

ERP/ETRM Systems

SAP Functional Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Maritime Studies

Demurrage/laytime or shipbroking qualification

Tools

SAP

Job description

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.
• 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.
• 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.

Laytime & Demurrage Calculation

Reviews vessel and charter documentation and accurately calculates laytime, demurrage, and despatch in accordance with applicable terms and industry practice.

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.

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.