Bunkering
Career Progression in Marine Fuel Supply & Bunkering
In a bunkering department, the primary responsibility is to ensure that vessels are supplied with the necessary fuel (bunkers) for their operations. This involves a variety of tasks that range from procurement, logistics, and fuel management to ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and optimising fuel usage. The bunkering department typically works closely with other departments within the company, including operations, procurement, finance, and compliance teams and a typical bunkering department will be made up of operations and trading teams.
Bunker trading teams are responsible for executing trade deals with clients and may also be responsible for business development. They will also be responsible for tracking market movements, analysing trends, particularly in relation to the supply and demand of fuel.
The operations team within a bunkering department will provide the admin support to the supply and trading teams with tasks including vendor onboarding, maintaining up-to-date prices and acting as a liaison between the customer and supplier.
At Spinnaker, we are here to help with your next Bunkering job role.
Example Job Descriptions
Bunker Operator
A Bunker Operator is responsible for managing and overseeing the physical process of supplying fuel to ships in ports or offshore locations. This role involves coordinating the delivery, ensuring fuel quality, maintaining safety protocols, and complying with regulatory standards. Bunker operators work closely with ship crews, fuel suppliers, surveyors, and port authorities to ensure smooth and efficient bunkering operations.
Bunker Trader
A Bunker Trader is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and purchasing marine fuel (bunkers) for shipping companies or fuel suppliers. Bunker Traders also monitor market trends, optimise costs, and maintain relationships with suppliers and clients.
Example Job Titles
Bunker Broker, Bunker Fuel Analyst, Bunker Manager, Bunker Operations Manager, Bunker Purchasing Officer, Bunker Surveyor, Bunker Trader, Bunkering Supervisor, Bunkering Director, Head of Bunkering, Marine Fuel Quality Inspector, Senior Bunker Trading Manager.
Where can I work in a bunkering role?
Most shipping companies employ bunker traders and operators although the majority of Bunker Traders and Operators will be found in bunker trading or bunker broking companies.
Key Skills and Experience
The key skills required of a Bunker Trader include market knowledge & analytical skills, negotiation skills, financial acumen, negotiation and sales skills, logistics coordination, attention to detail, risk management.
The key skills required of a Bunker Operator include quality control, safety & environmental awareness, logistics & coordination, problem-solving, communication, attention to detail, regulatory compliance, technical proficiency.
Ready to search for your next career in Bunkering?
Get in touch
To find out more about bunkering jobs, please get in touch with the team who specialise in these vacancies.
Latest Bunkering Roles
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Did you know?
The largest container ship can carry over 24,000 containers, stacked as high as 20 storeys!
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