Commercial Operations & Post Fixtures
Your Next Move in Commercial Operations & Post Fixtures
The activities of a shipping operations department typically include instructions to vessels, coordinating cargo and bunker stowage with vessels, liaison with owners, charterers, terminals or agents, documentation, arranging and monitoring bunker supplies, ensuring efficient and safe port turnaround, payments and invoicing, disputes and insurance claims, voyage schedules and preparation, voyage monitoring (speed & consumption), and laytime & demurrage.The post fixture team in a shipping company plays a critical role in the operational phase after a vessel's chartering agreement has been finalised, ensuring that the terms of the charter party (contract) are carried out effectively and efficiently. Their work ensures that both the shipping company and the charterer meet their obligations throughout the duration of the voyage or time charter. They bridge the gap between the commercial side of the business and the day-to-day operational management of the vessels.
Roles in an operations job family can also include shipbroking, post-fixture staff, cargo operations, cargo flow and ship planner roles.
At Spinnaker we are here to help with your next Commercial Operations or Post Fixture job role.
Example Job Descriptions
Operations Manager
This role requires overall responsibility for ensuring company compliance with contractual and company standards, customer service, and charter party performance. This person would be the manager of the operations staff.
Some companies do not have this role, and their operations staff will instead work as part of the marine or technical departments or generally within a ship or 'cell' team.
Post Fixture Operator
This role ensures that all charter parties are fulfilled to the charterers’ satisfaction and the company's requirements. The objective is to maintain customer loyalty and maximise revenues by the timely and efficient collection of monies (including charter hire payments, freights and other forms of revenues such as demurrage) whilst minimising charter party warranty and insurance claims.
Laytime Manager
This role involves preparing and finalising laytime calculations, handling laytime claims and being a key point of contact for brokers, charterers, and owners.
Example Job Titles
Charterparty Administrator, Commercial Operations, Demurrage Claims, Demurrage Manager, Laytime Manager, Laytime Claims, Operations Manager, Ship Operations Manager, Vessel Operations Manager, Post Fixture Operator, Post Fixture Claims, Port Captain, Ship Planner, Vessel Operator, Voyage Manager, Ship Operator, Vessel Operator, Voyage Manager.
Where can I work in Commercial Operations & Post Fixtures?
Commercial operations and post fixture positions can be found within shipowners, shipmanagers, chartering, broking or trading companies and shipping funds.These positions can be found globally but main locations include Connecticut (USA), Copenhagen (Denmark), Dubai (UAE), Hong Kong, Houston (USA), London (UK), Mumbai (India), Oslo (Norway) and Singapore.
Key Skills and Experience
Organisation skills, ability to problem solve, a calm approach, and persistence. Nowadays, most junior recruits are graduates, often with shipping degrees.
Some roles may require seafaring experience although many don’t. For the more senior operations roles and technical operations roles companies may require the candidate to have sailed to the rank of master or chief officer.
In some cases, often for operations jobs in ro-ro’s, car carriers, and containers, the operations jobs start to look a little more like port captain roles.
Ready to search for your next career in Commercial Operations & Post Fixtures?
Get in touch
To find out more about commercial operations & post fixture jobs, please get in touch with the team who specialise in these vacancies.
Real Life Stories from Marine Professionals
My maritime journey began in 2005 with a Bachelor’s in Nautical Science. Starting as a Cadet and advancing to Master Mariner with Fleet Management Ltd, Hong Kong, I then transitioned to shore-based roles as a Marine Superintendent and spent time as a Port Captain in Houston. These roles helped me build expertise in chemical tanker operations, stowage planning, tank cleaning, cargo care, pre-vetting, and audits. This foundation enabled my move into commercial industry across Europe and, now, the United Kingdom, where I focus on maximizing voyage profitability through strategic stowage of parcel, efficient berth rotation, and cost-effective resource management. Qualifications include a Bachelor's Degree in Nautical Science
The maritime industry’s fast-paced nature and endless opportunities for growth keep me inspired. The challenges of working across technical and commercial roles have taught me the value of adaptability, strategic thinking, and resilience.
For those starting out: embrace the unknown, stay curious, and push boundaries. The maritime industry rewards those who are adaptable and eager to learn, making it a truly exciting and fulfilling career.
Manigansan Sivaji
Master Mariner, Fleet Management Ltd (Sailing period)
Real Life Stories from Marine Professionals
My journey in the maritime industry has been an unparalleled learning experience and an opportunity-filled path! I have studied Maritime Transportation and Management from high school through to university. After graduation, I started my career at Yasa Shipmanagement, one of Turkey's largest ownership companies, where I worked for three years. I then spent three and a half years as a Freight Operations Executive at Cofco International Freight SA, a leading company with a national presence. I am thrilled to announce that I will be taking on the role of Operations Manager at Oldendorff Carriers!
Throughout this journey, I owe a great deal of my career growth to the support I received from the Spinnaker team that helped me find this new opportunity at Oldendorff Carriers. Their expertise and guidance were invaluable in securing each step along the way. I'm grateful to Spinnaker for recognising my potential and guiding me to roles that allow me to make the most of this global, ever-evolving field.
The maritime industry is an excellent place to learn and grow. Each new role has been an opportunity to build on my skills and understanding. It's a sector that opens doors to the world, offering countless opportunities but also demanding hard work and dedication.
For anyone who wants to get ahead in the shipping business, I hope the way is open!
Yagmur Kanatli
Operations Manager, Oldendorff Carriers
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Shipping is so vast that if it were a country, it would be the 6th largest economy in the world.
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I’ve worked with David over the years, and it has always been a privilege. Beyond his technical expertise, David has exceptional communication and leadership skills. One of the many things I appreciated from him is the follow up and constant and useful feedback. He is approachable, empathetic, and committed to the professional development of others, which makes him always a trusted resource.