Vessel Planner - Advance Planning

DP World; Jeddah; On-site; SAR 250,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

DP World Jeddah is seeking an experienced Advanced Vessel Planner to optimize stowage and crane planning, enhancing vessel productivity, berth performance and terminal efficiency. You will analyze vessel data, develop optimized plans and coordinate with Central Planner, vessel agents and terminal stakeholders.

The role requires 4+ years in container-terminal operations with strong vessel-planning experience, proficiency with Zodiac-OPS, N4 or equivalent, and a solid grasp of stowage and crane

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in logistics, maritime studies, engineering or related field.
• 4+ years in container-terminal operations with vessel-planning experience.
• Knowledge of vessel profiles, stowage plans and crane planning constraints.
• Experience with vessel planning systems and TOS applications.

Responsibilities

• Review vessel profiles and constraints to validate inputs and improve productivity.
• Develop, validate and optimize vessel stowage and crane programmes.
• Identify opportunities to improve crane productivity while maintaining safety.
• Coordinate with Central Planner and vessel representatives to align plans.

Skills

Vessel planning

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Planning systems knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Maritime Studies, Naval/Marine-related disciplines, Operations Management, Engineering or related field

Tools

Zodiac-OPS

N4

BAPLIE/MOVINS validation

Job description

DP World Jeddah is looking for an experienced Advanced Vessel Planner to join our Planning team.

The Advanced Vessel Planner is responsible for optimizing vessel stowage and crane planning to improve vessel productivity, berth performance and overall terminal efficiency. The role analyzes vessel and cargo data, develops optimized stowage and crane-plan proposals, identifies productivity opportunities and coordinates complex planning decisions with the Central Planner, vessel representatives and terminal stakeholders.

Qualifications and Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Maritime Studies, Naval/Marine-related disciplines, Operations Management, Engineering or a related field.
• Experience: 4+ years in container-terminal operations, including substantial vessel-planning experience and demonstrated capability in complex stowage or crane planning.
• Vessel planning expertise: Strong knowledge of vessel profiles, stowage plans, container vessel stability criteria, bay planning and operational planning constraints.
• Planning systems and data: Advanced practical knowledge of vessel planning systems and TOS applications; experience with Zodiac-OPS, N4 or equivalent systems and BAPLIE/MOVINS validation is expected.
• Productivity optimization: Ability to analyze crane intensity, heavy hooks, bay gaps, twin/tandem lift and dual-cycling opportunities, and develop workable improvements to crane and berth productivity.
• Cargo knowledge: Strong understanding of reefer, OOG, IMDG/dangerous goods, breakbulk, direct delivery, connection boxes and re-stow planning requirements.
• Analytical capability: Able to assess plan alternatives, investigate root causes of performance gaps and use operational data to recommend measurable improvements.
• Stakeholder management: Strong coordination and communication skills when working with the Central Planner, vessel agents, Chief Officers, yard planning, operations and technical teams.
• Decision-making: Demonstrates sound judgment, accuracy, ownership and the ability to manage complex or time-critical planning issues while escalating decisions beyond delegated authority.
• Systems and reporting: Strong Microsoft Office and analytical reporting skills; experience with planning dashboards or data-analysis tools is an advantage.
• Work environment: Willing to work day/night or general shifts, weekends, public holidays and overtime as required under company policy and applicable labour laws.

Key Responsibilities

• Review vessel profiles, ship structures, stack weights, reefer slots, hatch covers and vessel limitations to validate planning inputs and identify constraints that may affect stowage or operational productivity.
• Analyze BAPLIE, MOVINS, TOS data and other planning information; investigate complex discrepancies, assess operational impact and coordinate resolution with shipping lines, agents and relevant planning teams.
• Develop, validate and optimize vessel stowage plans and crane programmes in line with vessel stability, cargo requirements, terminal equipment capability, agreed service windows and operational procedures.
• Identify opportunities to improve twin lift, tandem lift, dual cycling and other applicable crane-planning methods, subject to vessel design, equipment capability, cargo compatibility and safety requirements.
• Analyze crane intensity, bay gaps, heavy hooks, crane sequences and workload balance; recommend plan changes to the Central Planner to improve crane and berth productivity without compromising safe operations.
• Evaluate special and sensitive cargo requirements, including reefer, OOG, IMDG, breakbulk, connection boxes, direct deliveries and re-stows, and ensure that the plan incorporates the required restrictions and handling arrangements.
• Validate consistency between planning systems, including Zodiac-OPS and N4 where applicable; identify systemic or recurring data-quality issues and coordinate corrective actions with IT/TOS and planning stakeholders.
• Coordinate with the Central Planner, Dynamic Vessel Planners, Yard Planners, Operations and relevant vessel representatives to align the optimized plan with yard capacity, equipment availability and the terminal operating strategy.
• Monitor vessel-plan execution and compare planned versus actual performance; analyze causes of productivity loss, unproductive moves, plan deviations and service failures, and recommend corrective actions.
• Support planning for complex vessel calls, major plan changes, disrupted schedules and other exceptions by assessing alternatives, operational trade-offs and risks before recommending a solution.
• Ensure stowage plans, crane plans and container weight lists (CWL) are reviewed and approved by the Chief Officer and authorized planning representatives within the required timeline.
• Maintain planning standards, optimization guidelines, analysis records and vessel-specific lessons learned; share knowledge and coach Dynamic Vessel Planners on planning quality and productivity practices.
• Support TOS enhancements, planning tools, data-quality improvements and continuous improvement initiatives; contribute to testing, validation and adoption of improved planning processes.
• Provide supervisors and management with concise analysis of vessel-plan quality, productivity opportunities, operational risks and recommended improvements.
• Ensure compliance with HSE policy, Fatal Risk Standards, Safe Work Practices and relevant SOPs; escal ...
• Before vessel arrival, systematically identify and document available crane-productivity opportunities, including dual cycling and other applicable optimization methods, subject to vessel configuration, cargo compatibility, equipment capability and safety requirements.
• Prepare the loading plan in accordance with the approved stowage instructions, ensuring sufficient accessible picking points and a practical bay sequence to support quay-crane productivity.
• Develop and optimize the vessel loading and discharge sequences, balancing crane productivity, cargo priorities, yard capacity and operational constraints.
• Act as the planning focal point for coordinating the loading and discharge sequence (Quay Commander function, where assigned), adjusting priorities to manage yard pressure and avoid excessive simultaneous demand on yard resources.
• Obtain and record the shipping line’s approval of the loading plan before implementation and coordinate any required revisions with the line and relevant planning stakeholders.