Port Captain

HMM America; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) employer matching

Paid holidays

Up to 10 vacation days

Six sick days

Job summary

HMM America Shipping Agency in Oakland, CA seeks a Port Captain to oversee regional terminal and vessel operations, representing HMM with alliance members, ports and vendors.

You will coordinate with vessel planners and agents to ensure cohesive schedules and cost-effective plans, manage boarding agents and slot sharing, and lead negotiations with marine vendors. A focus on efficiency, safety, and timely execution is required.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of container, vessel and terminal operations.
• Ability to self-manage and achieve objectives.
• Commitment to continual improvement and positive change.
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Act as liaison between HASA Operations and terminal management.
• Inform terminals/stevedores/reefer vendors of vessel rotation changes.
• Review marine billing for vessel calls and verify accuracy.
• Manage regional marine expenses and support cost reduction.
• Coordinate with AHQ Vessel Planner to plan safe, economical vessel operations.
• Monitor alliance vessel calls and adjust plans to meet port goals.
• Input arrival/departure times and restow data for vessel calls.
• Develop strategies for competitive vendor/terminal agreements.
• Estimate loading/discharge costs for out-of-gauge cargo.
• Collaborate with alliance member lines to ensure smooth operations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Review partner vessel activities to reduce disruptions and costs.
• Review terminal performance against contracts to spot improvements.
• Schedule LOC meetings with partner lines quarterly.
• Report findings to ROC discussions as needed.
• Organize break-bulk operations including lashing/stowage surveys.
• Act as liaison for AHQ/Regional service center on equipment, M&R, hazards, and space.
• Provide scheduled and ad-hoc reports as necessary.
• Preview prestow details from AHQ Planner as needed.
• Coordinate vessel calls with local agents for services (bunkers, stores, etc.).
• Maintain master schedule for vessel bookings, including Panama Canal.

Skills

Container/terminal ops knowl

Self-management

Continuous improvement mindset

MS Office

Education

High School diploma or GED; Maritime Academy degree preferred

Job description

The Port Captain position has regional responsibilities for efficient and cost-effective terminal and vessel operations within the assigned region’s ports and marine terminals. Responsibilities include representing HMM with alliance members, lines, stevedores, vendors and ports to ensure smooth operations and fair treatment. Coordinate with vessel planners, agents, stevedores, terminals and vessels to ensure a cohesive vessel schedule and working plan is in place and understood by all. Additional responsibilities are managing boarding agents, vessel schedules and slot sharing agreements for the assigned region.

GENERAL POSITION OVERVIEW

The Port Captain position has regional responsibilities for efficient and cost-effective terminal and vessel operations within the assigned region’s ports and marine terminals. Responsibilities include representing HMM with alliance members, lines, stevedores, vendors and ports to ensure smooth operations and fair treatment. Coordinate with vessel planners, agents, stevedores, terminals and vessels to ensure a cohesive vessel schedule and working plan is in place and understood by all. Additional responsibilities are managing boarding agents, vessel schedules and slot sharing agreements for the assigned region.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/DUTIES

• Act as liaison between HASA Operations and terminal management.
• Ensure that terminals / stevedores / reefer vendors are aware of changes to vessel rotation, phase in/out.
• Review terminal billing for marine operations and verify accuracy (volume, rate, application of contract) for all vessel calls that carry HMM cargo.
• Manage marine expenses in the region; provide first verification of invoices from marine vendors within the assigned region while focusing on cost reduction.
• Work with AHQ Vessel Planner to ensure that operations of all HMM vessels are planned in a safe, economical, and timely manner, including vessel stowage and labor orders.
• Monitor vessel operations for all Alliance vessel calls and work with AHQ Marine Ops to adjust as necessary to meet port call objectives.
• Input arrival / departure times and TDR information (i.e. discharge figures, restows by line) for vessel calls.
• Participate in developing strategy for negotiating competitive agreements with marine vendors, terminals and ports.
• Estimate costs of loading / discharge for sales leads for all out-of-gauge and break-bulk cargo.
• Work closely with member lines through Alliance (LOC or other) structure to develop tactical solutions and ensure smooth operations
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Additional Duties

• Review partner line vessels activities for abnormalities to reduce service disruption and extra cost.
• Review terminal performance compared to terminal contract to identify unnecessary costs and opportunities to improve
• Schedule and attend LOC meetings in each port with partner lines on quarterly basis - continue to foster good communication between lines.
• Report to HMM ROC member any findings that might be useful in ROC discussions.
• Organize any break bulk operation including scheduling lashing and stowage survey.
• Act as liaison for AHQ or Regional service center regarding equipment control, M&R, Hazardous, and Space Management etc.
• Provide scheduled and adhoc reports as necessary.
• Preview vessel prestow sent by AHQ Planner (review crane splits, haz, etc.) as necessary.

Region Specific Duties

• Coordinate vessel calls with local agents to ensure that items requested (i.e. bunkers, lubes, stores, cash, and other services) are provided as needed.
• Review master schedule for booking of vessels for Panama Canal. Keep close contact with booking agent to book vessels as needed.

QUALIFICATIONSESSENTIAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES

• Extensive knowledge of container, vessel and terminal operations.
• Advanced ability to self-manage and achieve objectives.
• Maintain a continual improvement and positive change attitude.
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High School diploma or GED required; Maritime Academy degree preferred.
• At least 5 years of marine operations experience, including vessel planning.

ENVIRONMENT / EQUIPMENT / PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Work performed in an office environment where the noise level is moderate. Regularly required to stand, sit, and walk around the office. Frequently required to work on a computer.
• Capable to climb steep gangway/stairs for boarding vessels while wearing personal protective gear (hardhat, safety boots, safety glasses, vest).
• Ability to maintain focus over long, non-standard hours of work and be on call 24x7.

Join HMM and navigate the future of shipping and logistics, where you’ll grow alongside an industry leader committed to sustainability, innovation, and excellence.

About HMM America Shipping Agency:

HMM is a leading global shipping company operating over 130 state-of-the-art vessels encompassing more than 50 sea routes to over 100 ports of call. HMM strategically collaborates with customers to develop customized supply chain solutions for dry, refrigerated, and other specialized cargo.

HMM is currently ranked in the Top 8 global ocean carriers in terms of service network and market capacity. HMM has formed a global business network of vessels, terminals, railroads, trucks, and offices around the world. HMM is highly regarded as one of the world's top integrated logistics companies with a commitment to operational excellence by our team of industry professionals and state-of-the-art technology.

Additional Details:

The pay range listed for this position is the anticipated starting salary or wage range, and the final offered rate will be based on individual merit and the relative compensation of employees in similar positions. HMM employee benefits include highly subsidized individual and family insurance coverage (medical, dental and vision), term life and disability insurance, 401(k) employer matching contributions, paid holidays, and up to 10 vacation days and six sick days in the first year.

HMM provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or other legally protected characteristics. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with legal requirements. HMM participates in the E-Verify program.