Head of Chartering

Pacific International Lines (PTE) Ltd; Singapore; On-site; SGD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading container shipping company based in Singapore seeks an Executive for their chartering department. The successful candidate will lead the container fleet chartering strategy, manage a fleet portfolio, and negotiate charter agreements. Candidates should have at least 15 years of chartering experience in container shipping, with a strong background in vessel specifications and leadership. This full-time position involves collaboration with various internal stakeholders to ensure vessel compliance and market alignment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of chartering experience in container shipping, including at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Strong understanding of vessel technical specifications, classification requirements & environmental regulations.
• Extensive experience in negotiating charter parties, contract clauses, and shipbuilding contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute the container fleet chartering strategy.
• Build and manage a fleet portfolio balancing cost and capacity.
• Negotiate and finalize charter party agreements.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Leadership

Market intelligence

Cross-functional coordination

Chartering strategy development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Maritime Studies, Business Management, Marine Engineering, or related

Tools

Digital chartering platforms

Job description

Job Responsibilities

• Lead and execute the container fleet chartering strategy in alignment with commercial trade plans and the company’s decarbonisation objectives.
• Build and manage a fleet portfolio that balances cost, capacity, compliance, and carbon performance – favouring modern, fuel‑flexible, CII‑compliant vessels.
• Negotiate and finalize charter party agreements (time and bareboat) and ensure operational and financial due diligence.
• Proven strong and cultivate relationships with shipowners, brokers, yards, container ship operators, non‑operation owners and lessors to secure favourable tonnage terms and first‑mover access to next‑gen assets.
• Ensure compatibility of chartered vessels with evolving fuel infrastructure (e.g., LNG, methanol, ammonia) and trade requirements.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders (fleet, operations, network, technical, ESG, and legal) to ensure vessel suitability, compliance, and deployment alignment.
• Monitor charter market dynamics, conduct benchmarking, and assess total cost of chartering, including emission performance and potential ETS/pass‑through costs.
• Prepare owners report and owners chartering activities P&L.
• Provide leadership to a high‑performing team and continuously develop market intelligence and chartering capabilities.
• Ability to come out with Chartering initiatives that supports commercial performance, Fleet efficiency, Compliance (ESG, IMO).

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Maritime Studies, Business Management, Marine Engineering, or related.
• Minimum 15 years of chartering experience in container shipping, including at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Strong understanding of vessel technical specifications, classification requirements & environmental regulations.
• Extensive experience in negotiating charter parties, contract clauses and shipbuilding contracts as well as managing post fixtures.
• Demonstrated success in securing future‑ready, emissions‑compliant tonnage.
• Familiar and skilled in usage of digital chartering platforms.
• Strong network across shipowners, tonnage providers, and brokers.
• Excellent negotiation, leadership, and cross‑functional coordination skills.
• Understanding of Container liner operations, ship design and operating characteristics is an advantage.

Seniority level

Executive

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Other

Industries

Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain and Storage