Shipping Operator

Job Title:

Shipping Operator

Contract Type:
Time

Clearlake Shipping, a subsidiary of Gunvor Group, is one of the largest charterers of tanker vessels in the world. Clearlake Shipping operates tankers and gas carriers (LPG & LNG) vessels. Clearlake Shipping covers all chartering needs that the Group or market may have at any given time. Since 2003, Clearlake Shipping has operated a high quality fleet of tankers, LPG & LNG carriers both on a spot and a time-charter basis to accommodate Gunvor’s growing needs for safe ocean transportation across all major ocean routes, in addition to the needs of third‑party business.

Clearlake Shipping’s activities include chartering an average of 1,500 vessels annually that include crude oil, products, chemicals, LPG, LNG, freight hedging (FFA), operations, claims handling and ship/terminal safety consultations.

The position reports to the Global Head of Shipping Operations and is located in our Houston office. The operator will work closely with the Chartering/freight department and Cargo Operations teams to provide day‑to‑day support for the operation of dirty petroleum products, clean petroleum products and bitumen for our time‑chartered fleet.

• Manage pre‑fixture and post‑fixture operations on MR, LR1, LR2, Aframax, VLCC and bitumen vessels:
  Handle all pre‑fixture related matters to clear nominated vessels for proposed voyages.
• Voyage optimization & performance analysis:
  Monitor vessel’s daily movement and weather routing, monitor vessel’s speed and consumption, and prepare claims against owner where applicable.
• Optimize tank‑cleaning operations and ensure maximum utilisation of cargo stowage plan by master to meet charterer voyage‑specific requirements.
• Appoint port agent, manage port cost, and ensure timely funding.
• Manage LOI in good time, having it signed by authorized signatory and sending it to relevant counter‑parties.
• Non‑commercial operations:
  Bunker planning and deslopping performed efficiently and optimally; ensure the vessel’s quick turnaround in port by liaising closely with agent.
• Ensure all shipping activities comply with international and local regulations at all times.
• Develop and implement shipping strategies to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Timely appointment of armed guards for transiting HRA and provide insurance cover for HRA transits in place for voyages in HRA.
• Maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, shipping partners, and regulatory agencies.
• Liaise and verify with owners regarding oil major approval and ensure vessels have a valid SIRE for trading at all times.
• Profit and loss management: daily update of system to provide accurate P&L updates to freight traders.
• Ensure that master is in strict compliance with Clearlake standing instructions at all times and handle disputes or shortages independently.
• Post‑fixtures:
  Enter all operational information into operational systems (IMOS) in a timely fashion; keep adequate records in G‑Docs to meet the company’s legal and fiscal obligations.
• Ensure freight is received in a timely manner and provide necessary documents for interim port calculations and other claims (speed‑up/slow‑steam/waiting time/heating costs/purging costs/charterer expenses, etc.) to the claims department.
• Liaise with the controls team for hire payments, off‑hires, deliveries and redeliveries of vessels.
• Demonstrate and help train teams to assess operational and business risks, minimizing impacts that may impede success or growth of the company/group and escalating those requiring additional mitigation.
• Act as a reliable point of contact for routine internal and external inquiries on the desk.
• Maintain close communications with customers and inform them of problems and issues arising from fulfilment of contracts concluded with them.
• Maintain close communications with traders and relevant teams to ensure smooth cooperation and proactively offer creative solutions to trading team issues.
• Provide technical expertise for shipping operations where applicable.

• Diploma in maritime or relevant qualification, with minimum 10 years of work experience in shipping operations in a trading house or ship owner.
• Strong knowledge of international, national and local shipping regulations.
• Ability to develop and implement shipping strategies that improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to identify areas for improvement and develop corrective action plans.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, high‑pressure environment.
• Proficient in the use of shipping‑related software and technology.
• Experienced with dispute resolution and handling incidents.
• Sound commercial awareness; shipping experience is mandatory.