Shipping Co-Ordinator

Shipping Co-Ordinator

Our client, a manufacturer and supplier of building materials to the retail and construction industry, is seeking a Shipping Co-Ordinator to join their team.

The purpose of the role is to manage the discharge port operations for bulk cementitious materials. This role involves leading and coordinating all aspects of the shipping activities to achieve targets, quality standards, and operational excellence. The Shipping Co-Ordinator will be accountable for managing resources, implementing strategies, and ensuring adherence to safety and environmental regulations.

Location: Port Elizabeth/Gqeberha

Job type: On-site ? Permanent

Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate with port authorities, cargo agents, and ship owners to confirm berth availability and align vessel laycan dates.
• Maintain up-to-date vessel schedules and proactively communicate expected arrival/discharge timelines with all stakeholders.
• Ensure complete and timely preparation, submission, and tracking of all port documentation (e.g., Notice of Readiness, Statement of Facts, Arrival Notice, Bill of Lading, Cargo Manifest).
• Serve as a liaison between the shipping line, port authority, customs, and cargo receivers to streamline documentation flow and vessel clearance.
• Monitor and manage vessel nomination, laytime commencement, and clearance processes to minimize demurrage exposure.
• Cross-check charter party agreements and discharge terms to ensure operational alignment and contractual compliance.
• Facilitate surveyor appointments, sampling requirements, and issuance of quality certificates and weight records.
• Maintain accurate records of vessel documentation, schedules, laytime calculations, and port charges.
• Support internal teams with vessel updates and documentation required for post-discharge inland movement.
• Coordinate and oversee vessel discharge operations of bulk cementitious materials, ensuring safety, compliance, and efficiency.
• Act as the primary liaison between vessel crew, stevedores, port authorities, customs, surveyors, and cargo receivers.
• Plan and prepare for vessel arrival by organizing discharge schedules, berth allocation, and equipment (e.g., conveyors, hoppers).
• Ensure proper handling of material to minimize losses, contamination, and environmental impact.
• Verify and process all necessary documentation (e.g., Bill of Lading, discharge instructions, material quality certificates, weighbridge records).
• Monitor cargo flow from vessel to storage or transport vehicles (bulk trucks) and coordinate onward dispatch with the inland logistics team.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental (HSE) standards specific to bulk powder handling at port.
• Conduct regular safety audits, identify potential hazards, and implement preventive measures to mitigate risks.
• Maintain accurate logs, discharge reports, and communicate daily progress to internal and external stakeholders.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor?s degree in Logistics, Maritime Studies, Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 3?5 years of experience in bulk shipping or port operations, ideally with cementitious or powder materials.
• Strong understanding of handling equipment and techniques for dry bulk materials.
• Experience in handling materials like clinker, OPC, slag, fly ash, or other powdered cementitious products.
• Ability to lead port-side teams and manage third-party contractors
• Comfortable working extended hours, weekends, and during vessel operations.
• Familiarity with port authority protocols, customs procedures, and vessel logistics.
• Proficient in MS Office and port/shipping operations software.
• Knowledge of environmental compliance related to cementitious dust and bulk material handling.

Skills

• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to act decisively under pressure
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Technically Inclined
• Strategic thinker
• Interpersonal skills and high-level attention to detail
• Problem solver

If you meet the above criteria, we invite you to apply directly to the advertisement. Should you not hear back from us within 2 weeks of application, kindly consider your application as unsuccessful