Port Operator

Odfjell USA Houston•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Port Operator plans and manages port operations for vessels in the assigned area, covering Lake Charles, Port Arthur, Port Neches, Beaumont, Galveston, Texas City, Houston, Freeport, Point Comfort, Corpus Christi, and Brownsville. The role has authority and responsibility to move vessels within this area and is expected to provide proper and timely notifications to the Ship Operator and other relevant parties. The Port Operator works to ensure safe, fast, and cost-efficient port calls, including transhipment and barging arrangements, and maintains effective relationships with port authorities, customers, terminals, surveyors, third-party agents, barge owners, and other parties. The role also supports marketing and chartering personnel and customers. The Port Operator is expected to be goal-oriented, act as a role model, share knowledge through mentoring, cooperation, training, and support, and promote safety awareness and safe practices. The role must comply with relevant laws, company values, policies, and governing documents. Any deviation from standard external or internal rules and regulations must be discussed with and approved by a manager in advance. The Senior Port Operator may act as deputy for the Operations Manager when appointed, represent OUSA internally and externally as required, and train and assist junior personnel. The position reports to the Operations Manager. Travel is required or accepted, and the employee may perform other related duties to meet the organization’s ongoing needs.

Requirements

Maritime nautical background from chemical tankers, a Bachelor’s Degree within shipping/logistics, or relevant operational experience.
Mastery of written and spoken English.
Positive attitude and solution-oriented approach.
Ability to adapt positively to changes.
Ability to work in a high-pressure environment and use a flexible, adaptive working style in response to business needs and expectations.
Ability to set pragmatic priorities and make intuitive decisions.
Willingness and ability to work in a multicultural environment.
Ability to operate a minimum of four ships safely and cost-efficiently.
Willingness and ability to travel.

Responsibilities

Plan and manage port operations for vessels in the assigned area of responsibility.
Exercise authority and responsibility to move vessels in the area of responsibility, providing proper and timely notification to the Ship Operator and relevant parties.
Ensure safe, fast, and cost-efficient port calls, including transhipment and barging arrangements.
Maintain adequate relationships with port authorities, customers, terminals, surveyors, third-party agents, barge owners, and other parties.
Support marketing and chartering personnel and customers.
Prepare port rotation plans and send them to the Master, Ship Operator, and related commercial groups.
Liaise with customers, terminals, vessels, surveyors, third-party agents, and barge owners to support optimal operations.
Inform the Ship Operator of vessel movements and operational developments.
Advise port times to the Ship Operator through updated port rotations.
Update ship files and in-house cargo and vessel statistics.
Attend vessels frequently to stay informed about their actual status and communicate updated planning.
Appoint transhipment vessels and surveyors for transhipment operations, with approval from the Ship Operator and relevant commercial group.
Issue and complete documents required for transhipment operations.
Attend to other matters assigned by the superior.
Use Odfjell Tankers’ Event concept and attend to QHSE matters in compliance with the company’s Quality Management System, including use of the company’s non-conformance process and risk assessment to support continuous improvement.
Keep files and systems updated and ready for handover before team members relocate or leave the company, including relevant electronic systems and hard-copy files.
When appointed, act as deputy for the Operations Manager in their absence.
As a Senior Port Operator, represent OUSA internally and externally as required.
As a Senior Port Operator, train and assist junior personnel as required.
Share knowledge through mentoring, cooperation, training, and support; act as a role model and promote safety awareness and safe practices.
Comply with relevant laws, company values, policies, and governing documents; obtain prior manager approval for deviations from standard rules and regulations.