Port Captain

HMM America•Oakland, CA

13h•$90,000 - $110,000

About The Position

The Port Captain has regional responsibility for efficient and cost-effective terminal and vessel operations in the assigned region’s ports and marine terminals. The role represents HMM with alliance members, shipping lines, stevedores, vendors, and ports to support smooth operations and fair treatment. It coordinates with vessel planners, agents, stevedores, terminals, and vessels to ensure that vessel schedules and working plans are cohesive and understood. The position also manages boarding agents, vessel schedules, and slot-sharing agreements for the region. The role supports vessel planning and operations, monitors operational performance and costs, reviews marine invoices and terminal billing, and works with internal and external partners to meet port-call objectives. It also supports vendor and terminal agreement strategies, break-bulk operations, equipment and space management, and regional vessel-call coordination. The work is performed in a moderately noisy office environment, with computer use and regular standing, sitting, and walking. The position may require boarding vessels by climbing steep gangways or stairs while wearing personal protective equipment. The role requires maintaining focus during long, non-standard hours and being on call 24x7.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least 5 years of marine operations experience, including vessel planning.
Extensive knowledge of container, vessel, and terminal operations.
Advanced ability to self-manage and achieve objectives.
Ability to maintain a continual-improvement and positive-change attitude.
Intermediate Microsoft Office skills.
Ability to maintain focus during long, non-standard working hours and be on call 24x7.
Ability to climb steep gangways or stairs when boarding vessels while wearing personal protective gear.

Nice To Haves

Maritime Academy degree.

Responsibilities

Act as liaison between HASA Operations and terminal management.
Ensure terminals, stevedores, and reefer vendors are informed of vessel-rotation and phase-in/phase-out changes.
Review marine-operations terminal billing for accuracy, including volume, rates, and contract application, for vessel calls carrying HMM cargo.
Manage regional marine expenses, initially verify marine-vendor invoices, and focus on cost reduction.
Work with the AHQ Vessel Planner to plan HMM vessel operations safely, economically, and on time, including vessel stowage and labor orders.
Monitor vessel operations for Alliance vessel calls and work with AHQ Marine Ops to adjust operations as needed to meet port-call objectives.
Enter vessel arrival and departure times and TDR information, including discharge figures and restows by line.
Participate in developing strategies for negotiating competitive agreements with marine vendors, terminals, and ports.
Estimate loading and discharge costs for sales leads involving out-of-gauge and break-bulk cargo.
Work with Alliance member lines through the LOC or other structures to develop tactical solutions and support smooth operations.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Review partner-line vessel activities for abnormalities to reduce service disruptions and additional costs.
Compare terminal performance with terminal contracts to identify unnecessary costs and opportunities for improvement.
Schedule and attend quarterly LOC meetings in each port with partner lines and foster communication between lines.
Report useful findings to the HMM ROC member for ROC discussions.
Organize break-bulk operations, including scheduling lashing and stowage surveys.
Liaise with AHQ or the Regional Service Center on equipment control, M&R, hazardous cargo, space management, and related matters.
Provide scheduled and ad hoc reports as needed.
Review vessel prestows from the AHQ Planner as needed, including crane splits and hazardous cargo.
Coordinate vessel calls with local agents to ensure requested services, such as bunkers, lubricants, stores, and cash, are provided as needed.
Review the master schedule for Panama Canal vessel bookings and stay in close contact with the booking agent to book vessels as needed.

Benefits

Competitive compensation.
Health benefits, including highly subsidized individual and family medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
Performance bonuses.
401(k) with employer matching contributions.
Employee discount programs.
Mentorship, cross-department training, and career advancement opportunities.
Paid holidays.
Up to 10 vacation days and six sick days in the first year.
Term life and disability insurance.
Floating holidays.