Chartering Manager

Job Summary:The successful candidate will be a versatile tanker professional whose core strength is chartering, supported by hands-on operations experience and the ability to execute vessel sale-and-purchase (S&P) transactions. They will be responsible for sourcing and chartering tonnage (from single vessels up to multiple VLCCs simultaneously), overseeing voyage operations, and contributing to the group's fleet acquisition strategy. Beyond crude tankers, the role calls for commercial awareness across product tankers, bitumen, sulphur, and dry/breakbulk feeder trades within the Gulf.Key Responsibilities:CharteringSource, negotiate, and conclude time charters and voyage charters for crude tankers (VLCC focus), including chartering-in multiple vessels simultaneously to meet cargo and trade requirementsDevelop and maintain relationships with shipowners, brokers, charterers, traders, and national oil companies across the Gulf, Asia, and other relevant marketsAnalyse freight markets, voyage economics, and TCE returns to inform chartering decisions and pricingStructure and negotiate charter party terms, laytime, demurrage, and related commercial clausesOperationsOversee voyage operations end-to-end — laycan management, port operations, loading/discharge, STS operations, bunkering, and vessel positioningCoordinate with agents, terminals, technical managers, and counterparties to ensure smooth, compliant, and cost-efficient voyage executionMonitor vessel performance, voyage costs, and post-fixture matters including claims and demurrageSale & Purchase (S&P)Support and execute vessel acquisitions and disposals, including candidate identification, valuation, due diligence coordination, inspection oversight, negotiation, and MOA/closing processesLiaise with S&P brokers, class societies, technical inspectors, and legal advisors through the transaction lifecycleCommercial & StrategicContribute to fleet strategy, trade route analysis, and investment cases for tanker acquisitions and newbuildsLeverage the group's cargo access and relationships (including Iraqi crude/products and regional trades) to develop contracted employment for vesselsProvide market intelligence and commercial input across adjacent segments — product tankers, bitumen, sulphur, and dry/breakbulk feeder trades in the GulfSupport the build-out of the department, including processes, counterparty networks, and future hiring as the desk scalesRequirements:EducationBachelor's degree in Maritime Studies, Shipping, Naval Architecture/Marine Engineering, Business, Economics, Finance, or a related fieldPostgraduate qualification (e.g. Master's in Shipping, Trade, Finance, or an MBA) is an advantageProfessional shipping qualifications (e.g. ICS — Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers) are a plusExperienceMinimum 8–15 years' experience in tanker chartering and commercial management, ideally gained owner-side or disponent-owner-side at a tanker shipping company (as opposed to pure brokerage)Demonstrable track record concluding crude tanker (VLCC/Suezmax/Aframax) charters, both time and voyageHands-on tanker operations experience across the voyage lifecycleExposure to and involvement in vessel S&P transactionsCommercial experience or working knowledge of product tankers, and ideally bitumen, sulphur, and/or dry/breakbulk feeder tradesDirect experience of the Arabian Gulf / MEG market, its charterers, terminals, and trade routes, is strongly preferredExperience building or operating within a lean/entrepreneurial commercial desk is an advantageSkillsStrong commercial acumen with deep understanding of freight markets, voyage economics, and TCE analysisSkilled negotiator across charter parties, MOAs, and commercial termsSolid grasp of chartering documentation, laytime/demurrage, and post-fixture mattersWorking knowledge of tanker vetting (SIRE), class, flag, P&I, and sanctions/compliance considerationsAnalytical and numerate, comfortable building and interpreting voyage estimates and investment modelsExcellent relationship-builder with an established network of owners, brokers, traders, and charterersSelf-starter, entrepreneurial, and comfortable operating with autonomy in a build-out environmentHigh integrity and sound judgment, particularly around compliance and counterparty riskStrong written and verbal communication in English; Arabic is an advantage given the group's regional focus