Sr. Shipping Operator

Clearlake Chartering USA Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Clearlake Chartering USA Inc. seeks a Sr. Shipping Operator to support day-to-day operations for the time-chartered fleet, reporting to the Global Head of Operations. You will work closely with Chartering and Cargo Operations to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient shipping for petroleum products.

The role covers pre-/post-fixture, voyage optimization, bunker planning, cost control, and lead responsibilities while maintaining strong relationships with customers, owners, agents, and masters.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of operational experience in shipping.
• Hands-on experience with Time and Voyage Charter operations.
• Strong exposure to incident management and disruption handling.
• Cost control initiatives, audits, and performance programs.
• Ability to manage complex voyages across regions and cargo types.
• Regulatory compliance with IMO/MARPOL/SOLAS.
• Dispute resolution and incident management skills.
• Leadership and mentoring experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage pre-fixture and post-fixture for MR, LR1, LR2, Aframax, VLCC and Bitumen.
• Voyage optimization and performance analysis, including weather routing and fuel use.
• Appoint port agents, minimize port costs and ensure timely funding.
• Record-keeping in IMOS and G Docs for legal/fiscal obligations.
• Lead and train shipping team to maintain high performance.
• Ensure compliance with international and local regulations (IMO, MARPOL, SOLAS).
• Develop shipping strategies to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Coordinate with owners on LOIs and claims processing.
• Manage disputes, demurrage, and incident responses.

Skills

IMOS

Veslink

Q88

Excel

Charter Parties

Communication

Negotiation

Leadership

Risk management

Voyage planning

Education

Diploma in Maritime Studies

Maritime law certifications

Shipping operations training

Tools

IMOS

Veslink

Q88

Excel

Job description

Job Title: Sr. Shipping Operator
Contract Type: Time
Type: Full time

Job Description

The position reports directly to Global Head of Operations of Clearlake Shipping, he/she will work closely with the Chartering department and Cargo Operations to provide day-to-day operational support for the shipping operation of Dirty Petroleum Products and Clean Petroleum Products for our time-chartered fleet.

Main Responsibilities

1. Manage pre-fixture and post-fixture of commercial operations on MR, LR1, LR2, Aframax, VLCC and Bitumen:

   • o Handle all pre-fixture related matters to clear nominated vessels for respective voyage.

2. Voyage optimization & Performance Analysis:

   • o Monitor vessel’s daily movement and monitor weather routing.
   • o Monitor vessel’s speed and consumption and prepare claims against owner, if applicable.
   • o Optimize tank-cleaning time to prepare tanks to load next potential cargo.
   • o Maximum Utilization of cargo stowage plan with master and charterers.
   • o Appointing port Agent, minimize port cost and ensure timely funding.
   • o Receive LOI from charterer and prepare it in timely manner to head owners.
   • o Non-commercial operations: Bunker planning and deslopping performed with best efficiency in time and cost.
   • o Ensure the vessel’s quick turnaround in port by liaising closely with Agent.
   • o Ensure all shipping activities comply with international and local regulations, including safety, security, and environmental regulations.
   • o Develop and implement shipping strategies to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
   • o Timely appointment of armed guards for transiting HRA.
   • o Maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, shipping partners, and regulatory agencies.
   • o Liaise and verify with owners regarding oil major approval and ensure vessel have valid sire for trading.
   • o Profit and loss management by daily updating of system to provide accurate P&L updates.
   • o Provide leadership and guidance to the shipping team, ensuring all staff are working effectively and efficiently.
   • o Ensure that master is in strict compliance with our standing standard operating procedures.
   • o Able to handle dispute /shortages etc. independently.

3. Post-fixtures:

   • o Ensure that all Operational Information is entered into Operational Systems (IMOS) in timely fashion and that adequate records are kept in G Docs to meet the company’s legal and fiscal obligations
   • o Prepare and ensure that freight received in timely manner.
   • o Ensure that necessary documents for interim port calculations and other claims (speed up / slow steam / waiting time / heating costs / purging costs / charterer’s expenses etc.) are given to claims department to process and chase charterer.

4. Demonstrate and help train team to assess operational and business risks, minimizing impacts which may impede success or growth of the Company/ Group and escalating those which require additional mitigation.

5. Acts as a reliable point of contact for routine internal and external inquiries on the desk. Maintain close communications with customers and upon necessity inform customers of problems and issues arising from fulfilment of contracts concluded with them. Maintain close communications with Traders and relevant teams to ensure smooth cooperation; proactively offering creative solutions to Trading team issues.

Education

• Diploma in Maritime Studies, Shipping, Logistics, or a related discipline
• Additional training or certifications in shipping operations, maritime law, or charter party understanding are advantageous
• Familiarity with industry standards such as BIMCO, IC practices, and IMDG Code preferred

Experience

• 10+ years of operational experience within the shipping industry, ideally in a trading house or with a shipowner/operator
• Hands-on experience with both Time and Voyage Charter operations, including vessel coordination, documentation, bunker planning, laytime/demurrage, and voyage claims
• Strong exposure to incident management, including mechanical breakdowns, cargo disputes, and deviation scenarios
• Direct involvement in cost control initiatives, operational audits, and performance enhancement programs
• Proven ability to manage complex voyages across multiple regions and cargo types
• Strategic Operational Planning Proven ability to develop and execute shipping strategies that optimize operational efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure voyage success.
• Regulatory Compliance Expertise Strong understanding of international (IMO, MARPOL, SOLAS) and local shipping regulations, with a demonstrated ability to ensure full compliance across operations.
• Dispute Resolution & Incident Management Skilled in managing operational disputes, off-hire issues, demurrage claims, and incident responses with composure and sound judgment.
• Commercial & Analytical Acumen High level of commercial awareness and the ability to analyze voyage data to identify performance gaps and implement effective corrective measures.
• Leadership & Mentoring Experienced in guiding junior operators, setting operational standards, and fostering a high-performance team culture.
• Communication & Stakeholder Engagement Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong negotiation capabilities when dealing with charterers, owners, agents, and masters.
• Results-Oriented & Resilient Comfortable working under pressure in fast-paced trading or shipowning environments, with a proven track record of delivering outcomes.

Skills

• Proficient in shipping software such as IMOS, Veslink, Q88, or equivalent TMS/voyage management platforms
• Strong command of Microsoft Excel, data reporting tools, and electronic document systems
• Able to interpret Charter Parties, CP terms, and freight agreements confidently
• Knowledge of carbon compliance systems (EU ETS, CII) is a plus
• English: Full professional proficiency (spoken and written)
• Additional languages (e.g. Spanish, Greek etc) are a plus for communication with vessel crew, agents, and regional partners