Head of Chartering

Job Summary and Purpose

Manage the Ship Chartering, Commercial Operations and Commercial Shipping Agreements in coordination with Fleet Division, Legal Division and other Nakilat functions. The role shall oversee ongoing activities associated with various shipping contracts and develop new chartering opportunities and maintain relationships with major national and international clients, in coordination with Management.

In addition, leverage the synergies between different business units within the organization to improve efficiency of operations and maximize utilization of operated vessels.

Accountabilities

Commercial Management

• Develop and execute chartering strategy to optimize utilization and earnings of the operated fleet, including wholly owned, JV and chartered-in vessels.
• Negotiate shipping contracts and charter party terms in coordination with internal stakeholders so as to secure the best possible deal for the company and administer all relevant contractual agreements to ensure compliance and that the interests of the company are protected.
• Ensure that all contractual/charter party obligations are communicated to all relevant stakeholders and are adhered to.
• Ensure that the financial aspect and impact of a contract are clear to all relevant stakeholders.
• Oversee on-going activities associated with various shipping contacts such as time charter parties, pooling agreements, commercial management agreements and post-fixture agreements etc.
• Coordinate with the fleet division, customers and joint ventures and work towards optimizing fleet costs and managing tonnage requirements.
• Identify new trading patterns/ routes and coordinate with the fleet division to improve maximize fleet utilization.
• Solicit charterers’ satisfaction and identify areas of improvement within the fleet in order to meet charterers’ expectations.
• Spearhead negotiations and provide recommendations to senior management on all shipping claims under different contractual arrangements (e.g. voyage, TCP, Pooling ... etc.) in coordination with Fleet and Legal.
• Track industry and regulatory trends that could impact the fleet division of the organization.
• Provide support for projects and investment as and when required.
• Ensure maximum fleet voyage cost optimization (fuel savings…etc.) and coordinate with Fleet to achieve OPEX cost optimization where possible as well.
• Conduct thorough due diligence of new projects (e.g. OPEX benchmark, Panama Canal modifications…etc.) and chartering (in / out) opportunities.
• Explore opportunities to expand Nakilat Commercial shipping services globally.
• Prepare and present when required a bi-annual board package which includes the Operational, Financial and Commercial performance of the company.
• Develop revenue budget for vessels that are commercially managed in-house.
• Support the execution of JVs formation and dissolution, assets procurement, sale and scrap, new builds, and other related projects, etc.

Business Development Chartering

• Identify business opportunities, prepare assumptions and thorough commercial evaluation and provide recommendations to Analysis Team and senior management.
• Act as a point of contact for chartering opportunities and maintain a centralized unit for such opportunities with customer tracking.
• Develop and implement appropriate policies and procedures with regards to chartering activities and initiatives.
• Build and maintain long lasting relationships with customers within Qatar such as QatarEnergy LNG, Muntajat, Nebras and QPMC as well as outside Qatar such as major
• Oil & Gas companies, ship owners, charterers and trading houses. etc.
• Build market position by locating, developing and defining business relationships.
• Leverage synergies and provide commercial support to Nakilat JV partners and subsidiaries (as required).
• Provide input for the development of company’s capital expenditure budget.
• Study, evaluate, analyze and recommend suitable opportunities for business growth.
• Develop systems to track new commodity markets like Ammonia, LBV, Ethane, LCO2, etc.

Market Research

• Stay updated about industry and regulatory trends that could affect fleet balance and efficiency and ensure that such information is regularly provided to Commercial Analysis team.
• Conduct research to find out about the market outlook to support the decision-making process for chartering as well as fleet expansion.
• Use market knowledge and competitors to identify and develop the unique selling propositions and differentiators of the organization.
• Represent Nakilat, when required, at the main shipping industry conference and events to establish good rapport with key market players.
• Track projects, trades and volumes to identify potential customers for business relationships.

People Management

• Manage section staff by overseeing their performance management, recruitment, training and development to ensure high levels of engagement and competence.

Quality, Health, Safety, & Environment (QHSE)

• Ensure compliance with all relevant QHSE policies, procedures and controls across the section, to ensure that Nakilat provides a safe, world class, secure and environmentally responsible service to customers, the public and its own people.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant QHSE policies, procedures and controls across the section, to ensure that Nakilat provides a safe, world class, secure and environmentally responsible service to customers, the public and its own people.
• Ensure compliance with EUETS, CII, Fuel EU and other environmental regulations of commercial nature.
• Arrange to track and procure EUAs, penalty funds and remedial costs from charterers related to environmental aspects within regulatory timelines.
• Foresee and proactively handle business risks like new regulations, taxations, insurance, compliance related and regional & geopolitical events.
• Represent commercial department through internal and external audits.

Budgets and Plans

• Contribute to the development of the Commercial divisional budget, through setting the Chartering section budget, and monitor its expenditure, while ensuring the optimal utilization of all available resources to protect Nakilat’s interest.

Systems and Processes

• Participate in developing the Commercial & Business Development division policies, procedures and system, and ensure their proper implementation to support achieving the different set targets and plans, hence Nakilat strategy.

Qualifications, Experience and Job Skills

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Marine Transportation, Marine Engineering, Business Administration or similar fields

Experience

• 8 to 10 years of experience in oil and/or gas transportation including 3 to 5 years of similar work experience in a similar role in LNG/LPG tanker chartering, ship Commercial Management and post-fixture operations etc.
• Prior experience in the maritime industry

Job Specific Skills

• In-depth knowledge of major charter-party proformas, customary clauses, relevant international conventions and regulations
• Sound understanding of shipping economics, KPIs, market pricing, trading routes, market players
• Strong track record of chartering experience and client network
• Extensive commercial operations and post-fixture experience in trades relevant to the company business
• Good knowledge and understanding of EHS and Environmental Standards as they relate to the Oil & Gas industry and the Maritime environment
• Sound knowledge and understanding of Total Quality Management concepts
• Strong understanding of commercial processes and documentation from the perspective of the charterer/seller as they relate to the maritime transportation of LNG and Hydrocarbon products
• Familiar with the process of risk identification, mitigation and management
• Excellent skills in writing policies and procedures
• Knowledge of Oil & Gas industry bodies, national and international maritime and shipping regulations is required
• Strong contractual knowledge and negotiations skills.
• Ability to conduct financial analysis

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