Port Operations Lead — Ship & Cargo Coordination

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 520,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Harbor Operations Coordinator for Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. This on-site role requires organizing ship arrivals/departures, cargo handling coordination, and ensuring efficient turnaround times within a busy port environment.

You will liaise with shipping lines, terminal operators, customs and stevedoring teams, ensuring safety, regulatory compliance and smooth operations under pressure.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years in port operations or maritime logistics.
• Familiarity with port procedures, shipping docs and international maritime regs.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with port management software and office tools.
• Capable of working in a high-pressure, 24/7 environment.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate vessel schedules, berthing, and pilotage requirements.
• Manage cargo operations with stevedoring teams for loading/unloading.
• Serve as liaison between shipping lines, terminals and port stakeholders.
• Monitor vessel movements and ensure safety/regulatory compliance.
• Handle vessel arrivals/departures and cargo manifests documentation.
• Respond to disruptions with contingency plans and reports.
• Track KPIs for vessel turnaround and operational efficiency.
• Optimize use of port resources (quayside, equipment, personnel).
• Maintain logs and produce management reports.

Skills

Communication

Problem-solving

Port operations

Organizational skills

Team coordination

Education

Maritime Studies / Logistics / SCM degree

Tools

Port management software

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Harbor Operations Coordinator for Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. This on-site role requires organizing ship arrivals/departures, cargo handling coordination, and ensuring efficient turnaround times within a busy port environment.

You will liaise with shipping lines, terminal operators, customs and stevedoring teams, ensuring safety, regulatory compliance and smooth operations under pressure.