Port Operator

Odfjell Terminals US; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Odfjell Terminals US in Houston (Odfjell Tankers unit) seeks a Port Operator / Senior Port Operator reporting to the Operations Manager. The role focuses on planning and managing port operations across the Lake Charles to Brownsville area, coordinating with Ship Operators and port authorities to ensure efficient calls.

The candidate will mentor junior staff, promote safety practices, and ensure compliance with company policies while supporting customers and terminals in a dynamic, multi-port

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in shipping/logistics or equivalent operational experience.
• Master English (written and spoken).
• Positive attitude and solution oriented.
• Able to adapt to changes and work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage port operations for vessels in the listed Texas/Gulf area.
• Move vessels within the area of responsibility and notify Ship Operator.
• Ensure safe, fast, cost-efficient port calls incl. transhipment/barging.
• Maintain relationships with port authorities, customers, terminals, surveyors and agents.
• Support marketing/chartering personnel and customers.
• Act as deputy for Operations Manager when required.
• Train and assist junior personnel as needed.

Skills

English proficiency

Positive attitude

Solution oriented

Adaptability

High-pressure environment

Education

Bachelor degree in shipping/logistics

Job description

Title/Position

Port Operator / Senior Port Operator

Unit

Odfjell Tankers

Superior

Operations Manager

Reporting lines

Superior

Absence

In case of absence the superior shall appoint substitute personnel

Expectations

• Port Operator / Senior Port Operator shall be goal oriented towards own unit and the company, act like a role model and actively share knowledge through mentoring, cooperation, training and support.
• Port Operator / Senior Port Operator shall adhere to and promote safety awareness and safe practices as a quality element of the department’s processes.
• Port Operator / Senior Port Operator shall follow relevant laws, company values and policies and comply with company governing documents. Deviation from standard rules and regulations, both external and internal, shall be discussed with and approved by manager up front.

Responsibilities

• Planning and management of port operations for vessels in area of responsibility (Lake Charles, Port Arthur, Port Neches, Beaumont, Galveston, Texas City, Houston, Freeport, Point Comfort, Corpus Christi and Brownsville)
• Port Operator has the authority and responsibility to move the vessels in the area of responsibility. Proper and timely notification shall be given to the Ship Operator and other relevant parties.
• Ensure safe, fast and most cost efficient port call for the vessels, including transhipment/barging arrangements
• Ensure adequate relationship with port authorities, customers, terminals, surveyors, third party agents and barge-owners and other parties
• Support marketing/chartering personnel and customers

Responsibilities

• Planning and management of port operations for vessels in area of responsibility (Lake Charles, Port Arthur, Port Neches, Beaumont, Galveston, Texas City, Houston, Freeport, Point Comfort, Corpus Christi and Brownsville)
• Port Operator has the authority and responsibility to move the vessels in the area of responsibility. Proper and timely notification shall be given to the Ship Operator and other relevant parties.
• Ensure safe, fast and most cost efficient port call for the vessels, including transhipment/barging arrangements
• Ensure adequate relationship with port authorities, customers, terminals, surveyors, third party agents and barge-owners and other parties
• Support marketing/chartering personnel and customers

Tasks

• Prepare port rotation plan and send same to Master, Ship Operator, related commercial group(s)
• Liaise with customers, terminal, vessel, surveyors, third party agents and barge-owners for optimal operations
• Inform Ship Operator of vessel’s movements and operational developments
• Advise port times to Ship Operator through updated port rotation
• Update ship’s files and inhouse cargo/vessel statistics
• Attend vessels frequently in order to be updated with actual status onboard and communicate updated planning
• Appoint transhipment vessels and surveyors for attendance of transhipment operations with approval from Ship Operator and relevant commercial group
• Issue and complete documents as required for transhipment operations
• Attend to other matters as assigned by superior
• Actively use Odfjell Tankers` Event concept, and attend to QHSE matters in compliance with the company’s Quality Management System use of company’s non-conformance, assessing risks, in order to strive for continuous improvement
• Ensure that all files and systems are updated and ready for handover before relocation of team members, including leaving the company, such as relevant electronic systems and hard copy files.

Senior Port Operator

• In case of absence of the Operations Manager, act as deputy. if appointed to do so
• Senior Port Operator to represent OUSA internally and externally as required
• Senior Port Operator to train and assist junior personnel as required

Qualifications

• Maritime nautical background from chemical tankers, Bachelor Degree within shipping/logistics or alternatively relevant operational experience.
• Master the English language (written and spoken)
• Positive attitude and solution oriented
• Positive adapt to changes
• Ability to work in a high-pressure environment where needs and expectations from the business require a flexible and adaptive working style
• Ability to make pragmatic priorities and to take intuitive decisions
• Willingness and ability to work in a multicultural environment
• Be able to operate safe and cost efficient a minimum of 4 ships
• Accept traveling

Note

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.