Job Description

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Job Summary:


The Berthing Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and managing vessel berthing operations to ensure safe, efficient, and timely movements of ships within the port or terminal. This role involves close coordination with marine service providers, terminal operations, logistics teams, and regulatory authorities to optimise berth utilisation and vessel turnaround while maintaining strict safety and compliance standards. Ensuring that loading and unloading of vessels are done safely and in accordance with the stability calculations.


The Berthing Manager will oversee safe and efficient berthing operations, manage personnel, and ensure compliance with maritime safety and environmental regulations.

Key Responsibilities:

Berth Planning & Coordination

Develop and maintain daily and long-term berthing schedules for arriving, departing, and shifting vessels. Optimise berth allocation based on vessel size, cargo requirements, water depth, equipment availability, and operational priorities. Coordinate vessel arrivals and departures with port control, pilots, tug services, and mooring teams as required. Monitor and adjust berthing plans to account for weather, tides, vessel delays, or operational changes.

Marine Operations Management

Oversee safe mooring and unmooring operations, ensuring appropriate equipment and personnel are deployed. Ensure pilotage, towage, and line handling services are arranged in line with vessel, project and port requirements. Assess and monitor navigational and environmental conditions affecting vessel operations, including tides, currents, and berth draft. Enforce marine operational safety rules and port navigation procedures.

Terminal & Cargo Coordination (Land-Side)

Liaise with terminal operations, logistics teams and Marine Liaison Manger to align vessel schedules with cargo readiness and equipment availability. Coordinate quay cranes, cargo handling equipment, and shore services to meet turnaround targets. Ensure berth planning supports operational efficiency for barges, multi-cats, or offshore supply operations (as applicable).

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

Ensure compliance with port regulations, ISPS security standards, environmental controls, and emergency response procedures. Conduct regular inspections of berths, bunkering operations, fender systems, mooring lines, bollards, and access areas. Respond to and manage marine incidents, operational disruptions, and emergency situations. Lead and participate in safety briefings, training exercises, and incident investigations.

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

Act as the primary point of contact for vessel masters, agents, terminal supervisors, marine service contractors, and regulatory authorities. Provide daily operational updates and berthing status reports to internal and external stakeholders as required. Maintain accurate logs, operational records, and performance reports (e.g., berth occupancy, vessel turnaround times).

Performance & Continuous Improvement

Monitor berth utilisation, operational KPIs, and service-level performance. Identify opportunities to enhance efficiency, reduce delays, and improve scheduling accuracy. Support development, implementation, and review of port and terminal operating procedures.

Weather & Tide Management

Weather Monitoring: Continuously monitor weather conditions and tides, adjusting berthing plans as needed to accommodate adverse conditions (storms, strong winds, etc.). Tidal Considerations: Coordinate with local marine authorities and weather agencies to ensure that tides are favourable for docking and undocking activities.

Documentation and Compliance

Permitting: Ensure that all required permits and approvals for berthing operations are in place and up to date. Regulatory Compliance: Maintain awareness of relevant maritime regulations and ensure that all operations comply with them, including but not limited to the CEMP, VMP, DMP and DCO.

Project Specific:

Follow the CEMP, MMO and Immingham Port regulations Ensure that the all the marine operations are in in line with the DCO

Technical Skills and Competencies:

Maritime Knowledge: An understanding of marine operations, including knowledge of port logistics, vessel handling, and mooring systems. Ability to interpret nautical charts, tidal data, and ship particulars (LOA, draft, DWT, mooring plans). Project Management: Ability to oversee complex operations and coordinate multiple stakeholders involved in the berthing process. Leadership and Teamwork: Experience in leading a team of harbour personnel, dockmasters, and vessel crews. Problem-Solving: Ability to resolve conflicts or issues that arise during berthing operations, particularly under challenging conditions. Have excellent communication skills (including presentation skills) in English, both written and verbal, management and organisational skills. Ability to plan ahead, manage the work time frames and report to Project level. A good working knowledge of the Health and Safety regulations and other relevant legislation. Excellent organisation and people management/ team building skills. Have a working understanding of NEC form of contract.

Qualifications, Certifications and Experience:

SMSTS qualification. A valid CSCS Card * Noise Awareness training