Head of Chartering

About the Role / About the Job
You will manage Ship Chartering, Commercial Operations, and Commercial Shipping Agreements in coordination with the Fleet Division, Legal Division, and other organizational functions. Your role includes overseeing ongoing activities associated with various shipping contracts, developing new chartering opportunities, and maintaining relationships with major national and international clients in coordination with Management. Furthermore, you will leverage synergies among different business units to improve operational efficiency and maximize the 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 collaboration with internal stakeholders to secure optimal deals for the company and administer all relevant contractual agreements ensuring compliance and safeguarding the company’s interests.
• Ensure that all contractual/charter party obligations are communicated to relevant stakeholders and adhered to.
• Clarify the financial impact of contracts to all relevant stakeholders.
• Oversee activities related to various shipping contracts such as time charter parties, pooling agreements, commercial management agreements, and post-fixture agreements.
• Coordinate with Fleet Division, customers, and joint ventures to optimize fleet costs and manage tonnage requirements.
• Identify new trading patterns/routes and collaborate with the Fleet Division to maximize fleet utilization.
• Solicit charterer satisfaction and identify areas for improvement within the fleet.
• Lead negotiations and provide recommendations on shipping claims under various contractual arrangements in coordination with Fleet and Legal departments.
• Monitor industry and regulatory trends that could impact the Fleet Division.
• Provide support for projects and investments as needed.
• Achieve maximum fleet voyage cost optimization (e.g., fuel savings) and coordinate with Fleet for OPEX cost optimization.
• Conduct due diligence for new projects and chartering opportunities.
• Explore opportunities to expand commercial shipping services globally.
• Prepare and present bi-annual board packages outlining the operational, financial, and commercial performance of the company.
• Develop revenue budgets for vessels that are commercially managed in-house.
• Support the execution of JVs formation and dissolution, asset procurement, sales, scrapping, new builds, and other related projects.

Business Development Chartering:

• Identify business opportunities, prepare assumptions and evaluations, and provide recommendations to the Analysis Team and senior management.
• Serve as a point of contact for chartering opportunities and maintain a centralized system for tracking customer interactions.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures for chartering activities and initiatives.
• Build and maintain relationships with customers both within Qatar (e.g., QatarEnergy LNG, Muntajat, Nebras, QPMC) and externally (e.g., major Oil & Gas companies, ship owners, charterers, trading houses).
• Establish market position by identifying, developing, and defining business relationships.
• Provide commercial support to JV partners and subsidiaries as needed.
• Contribute to the company’s capital expenditure budget development.
• Study, evaluate, analyze, and recommend suitable opportunities for business growth.
• Develop systems for tracking new commodity markets such as Ammonia, LBV, Ethane, and LCO2.

Market Research:

• Stay informed on industry and regulatory trends affecting fleet balance and efficiency, providing this information to the Commercial Analysis team regularly.
• Conduct market research to support decision-making processes for chartering and fleet expansion.
• Utilize market knowledge to identify unique selling propositions and differentiators.
• Represent the organization at industry conferences and events for networking with key market players.
• Track projects, trades, and volumes to identify potential customers for business relationships.

People Management:

• Oversee section staff through 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 to provide a safe, secure, and environmentally responsible service.
• Monitor compliance with EUETS, CII, Fuel EU, and other relevant environmental regulations.
• Handle business risks related to new regulations, taxation, insurance, and geopolitical events proactively.
• Represent the commercial department during internal and external audits.

Budgets and Plans:

• Contribute to the development of the Commercial divisional budget and monitor the expenditure of the Chartering section budget for optimal resource utilization.

Systems and Processes:

• Participate in the development of policies, procedures, and systems for the Commercial & Business Development division, ensuring proper implementation to meet strategic targets.

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 in a similar role involving LNG/LPG tanker chartering, ship Commercial Management, and post-fixture operations.
• Prior experience in the maritime industry.

Job Specific Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of charter-party proformas, customary clauses, and relevant international conventions and regulations.
• Understanding of shipping economics, KPIs, market pricing, trading routes, and market players.
• Strong track record in chartering experience and client network.
• Extensive commercial operations and post-fixture experience.
• Knowledge of EHS and Environmental Standards related to the Oil & Gas industry and maritime environment.
• Familiarity with Total Quality Management concepts.
• Proficient understanding of commercial processes from the charterer/seller perspective.
• Experience in financial analysis, risk identification, mitigation, and management.
• Excellent writing skills for policies and procedures.