Vessel Planner

Job Purpose

Own cargo and stowage planning for assigned vessels and voyages, ensuring cargo is planned safely, efficiently and in compliance with vessel, cargo and port constraints. The role is the physical-operations interface of the trade team: it confirms or challenges the feasibility of the voyage plan and is the day-to-day counterpart of regional offices, terminals, agents and vessel crews on cargo handling.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and manage cargo and stowage plans for assigned vessels and voyages, ensuring optimal cargo utilisation and safe stowage.
• Allocate cargo across decks, ramps and cargo spaces considering dimensions, weight, cargo type, destination and discharge sequence.
• Operate stowage-planning software and maintain accurate cargo and booking data.
• Plan High & Heavy, breakbulk, MAFI and other special cargo in line with vessel limitations and operational requirements.
• Ensure compliance with IMDG / dangerous-goods, cargo securing and applicable safety requirements.
• Maintain vessel particulars, deck capacity and loadability data.
• Coordinate with vessels, Marine Operations, terminals, stevedores, port agents and regional offices to finalise loading and discharge plans.
• Issue pre-arrival stowage documentation, bay plans and loading / discharge sequences.
• Support loading and discharge operations and manage real-time changes or operational deviations.
• Monitor stowage constraints and communicate capacity impacts to the Voyage Planner and Line Manager.
• Maintain final stowage plans, planning records and post-voyage utilisation reports.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of stowage standards and space utilisation.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Maritime Transportation, Logistics, Transportation, Supply Chain Management or a related field.
• Minimum 2–4 years of experience in vessel planning, stowage / cargo planning or vessel operations.
• Ro-Ro / PCTC experience is strongly preferred.
• Practical experience with stowage-planning software and vehicle / High & Heavy cargo planning.
• Working knowledge of IMDG / dangerous-goods requirements and cargo securing.
• Understanding of vessel stability, deadweight and loadability principles.
• Sea-going experience as a Deck Officer or equivalent cargo-operations experience is an advantage.