Senior Ships Agent

Trade Ocean South Africa; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Trade Ocean South Africa, a Southern African maritime and logistics group, seeks a Senior Ships Agent in Cape Town to oversee daily ships agency operations and lead the team.

You will coordinate calls, liaise with port authorities, ensure compliance with shipping regulations, and drive cost control while delivering excellent service to principals and customers.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 (Matric) required.
• 5–8 years in shipping agency (non-fishing).
• At least 2 years in supervisory role.
• Experience with tankers, bulk, general cargo and offshore vessels.
• Knowledge of port operations, shipping law and international regulations.
• Proficient in MS Office and shipping/ERP systems.
• Experience liaising with port authorities, regulators, service providers and principals.
• Experience with costing, supplier invoices and customer billing.

Responsibilities

• Perform full ships agency duties coordinating vessels with authorities and customers.
• Oversee vessel calls from pre-arrival to departure, ensuring formalities.
• Supervise shipping team and allocate workloads.
• Foster customer-focused environment and build relationships.
• Handle escalated queries and resolve issues promptly.
• Provide vessel updates and resolve service issues.
• Ensure delivery meets contractual expectations and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain records and monitor health, safety, quality standards.

Skills

Shipping agency

Team leadership

Tankers handling

Port operations

Maritime regulations

ERP systems

MS Office

Customer liaison

Education

Grade 12 (Matric)

Tools

MS Office

ERP systems

Job description

Trade Ocean is a Southern African maritime and logistics group established in 2007. We specialise in Customs Clearing, Freight Forwarding and Ships Agency services, operating across six branches from Cape Town to Walvis Bay, connecting clients to a global network. Our culture is built on a simple but powerful foundation: taking ownership, and we are always looking for people who do the same.

We are seeking a Senior Ships Agent to oversee daily ships agency operations in Cape Town while leading and supporting the ships agency team. This role combines hands-on ships agency execution with a crucial leadership responsibility, ensuring all port and vessel formalities are handled efficiently, accurately and in full compliance.

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Grade 12 (Matric).
• Minimum 5–8 years' experience in a shipping agency environment outside of the fishing industry.
• Minimum 2 years' experience in a supervisory or team leadership role.
• Strong experience handling tankers, bulk vessels, general cargo and offshore vessels.
• Sound knowledge of port operations, shipping legislation and international maritime regulations.
• Working knowledge of MS Office and shipping/ERP systems.
• Proven experience liaising with port authorities, regulatory bodies, service providers and principals.
• Experience in operational costing, supplier invoice verification and customer billing.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Perform full ships agency duties, managing communication between vessels, port authorities, regulatory bodies and customers.
• Coordinate and oversee vessel calls from pre-arrival through to departure, ensuring all formalities are completed to a high standard.
• Supervise and support the shipping team, allocating workloads and monitoring team productivity.
• Foster a collaborative, customer-focused working environment.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, principals and service providers.
• Handle escalated customer queries and complaints professionally.
• Provide regular vessel updates and resolve service issues promptly.
• Ensure service delivery meets contractual and customer expectations.
• Ensure adherence to all applicable regulations and international shipping legislation.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation.
• Monitor compliance with health, safety, security and quality standards.
• Assist with internal and external audits.
• Verify supplier invoices and customer billing.
• Ensure accurate costing and monitor job profitability.
• Monitor operational costs and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency.
• Monitor key performance indicators and recommend improvements.
• Support digital transformation and system enhancements where applicable.

KEY ATTRIBUTES:

• Strong leadership and people management ability.
• Professional and ethical conduct at all times.
• Proactive and results-driven.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills.
• Customer service orientated.
• Effective problem-solving and decision-making.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
• Adaptable and resilient.
• Strong accountability and ownership.
• Commitment to continuous improvement.