Contract Specialist - Maritime & Shipping Cluster

Job PurposeThe Contracts Specialist is responsible for managing the full contract lifecycle across commercial and operational activities, ensuring contractual compliance, mitigating commercial risks, and protecting the Company's interests. The role serves as the Company's subject matter expert on offshore charter party agreements, with primary responsibility for drafting, negotiating, administering, and interpreting BIMCO SUPPLYTIME 2017 contracts and related amendments. The position also supports claims management, regulatory compliance, vessel transactions, and legal coordination while ensuring contractual obligations are effectively managed throughout project execution.About the Maritime ClusterAD Ports Group’s Maritime & Shipping Cluster is led by Noatum Maritime, a globally connected agile entity operating across multiple countries. With a fleet of over 250 vessels and decades of expertise, Noatum Maritime offers a diverse portfolio of services delivering “everything you need on the seas.”Responsibilities Contract Management & BIMCO AdministrationLead the drafting, review, negotiation, and administration of offshore charter party agreements, with primary focus on BIMCO SUPPLYTIME 2017, including company-approved amendments and negotiated commercial deviations. Prepare and negotiate charter party amendments, addenda, novation agreements, extension agreements, settlement agreements, MOUs, MOAs, and other commercial documentation. Act as the Company's internal subject matter expert on BIMCO contractual provisions and provide guidance to Commercial, Chartering, Operations, Finance, and Management throughout the contract lifecycle. Review commercial qualifications and contractual exceptions during tendering to ensure appropriate risk allocation and alignment with the Company's commercial strategy. Ensure all contractual documentation is accurately maintained, fully executed, and properly archived in accordance with company governance requirements. Develop and continuously improve standard contractual clauses, templates, and negotiation positions. Commercial Risk & Contract ComplianceIdentify, assess, and mitigate contractual and commercial risks during tendering, negotiations, and contract execution. Interpret contractual provisions relating to off-hire, standby, force majeure, knock-for-knock indemnities, liabilities, suspension, termination, performance obligations, change orders, and variation requests. Monitor contractual obligations, milestones, notices, deliverables, and compliance requirements throughout project execution. Advise Commercial, Chartering, Operations, and Finance teams on contractual rights, obligations, commercial exposure, and risk mitigation strategies. Maintain and regularly update the Contract Responsibility Matrix, ensuring clear ownership of contractual obligations across all stakeholders. Ensure compliance with internal governance, delegated authority limits, insurance requirements, and company approval processes. Claims, Variations & Legal Coordination Lead the administration of contractual claims, variations, extensions of time, change orders, commercial settlements, and dispute avoidance activities.Prepare contractual notices and supporting documentation in accordance with contractual notice requirements with the Legal team.Coordinate contractual correspondence supporting the Company's commercial position throughout negotiations and project execution. Liaise with internal and external legal counsel on contractual disputes, legal interpretations, and complex commercial matters. Maintain comprehensive contractual records supporting claims management and dispute resolution. Regulatory Compliance & Due Diligence Manage Know Your Customer (KYC), sanctions screening, due diligence, and regulatory compliance requirements relating to commercial transactions. Ensure contractual compliance with applicable laws, regulations, corporate governance policies, and delegated authority requirements. Coordinate regulatory documentation required for vessel operations and commercial agreements. Support internal and external audits relating to contractual compliance. Vessel Transactions & Commercial DocumentationCoordinate contractual documentation relating to vessel acquisitions, disposals, financing, leasing, and strategic commercial transactions. Manage vessel registration, deregistration, mortgage documentation, and closing documentation with relevant authorities. Prepare, review, and coordinate execution of Bills of Sale, Closing Memoranda, Delivery Protocols, MOAs, MOUs, Sale & Purchase Agreements, and supporting commercial documentation. Support commercial negotiations relating to vessel acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships. Insurance & Commercial SupportCoordinate contractual aspects of insurance claims with Insurance Team, insurers, brokers, P&I Clubs, and internal stakeholders. Review insurance provisions, indemnities, liabilities, warranties, and limitation of liability clauses to ensure contractual alignment. Support Commercial and Chartering teams during bid preparation by reviewing tender documents, contractual qualifications, and commercial deviations. Provide contractual guidance throughout project execution to Commercial, Chartering, Operations, Finance, Procurement, and Technical teams. Continuous ImprovementDevelop and improve contract management procedures, BIMCO templates, company amendments, and commercial best practices. Maintain contract databases, reporting systems, and contractual performance metrics. Deliver internal awareness sessions on BIMCO SUPPLYTIME 2017, contractual obligations, and commercial risk management. Recommend improvements to strengthen contractual governance and commercial controls across the organization. QualificationsBachelor's degree in Law, Engineering, Business Administration, Maritime Law, Commercial Management, or a related discipline. Demonstrated experience drafting, negotiating, and administering BIMCO SUPPLYTIME 2017 charter party agreements. 4–6 years of experience in offshore contract management, charter party administration, or maritime commercial operations. Strong knowledge of offshore vessel chartering, commercial claims, charter party amendments, and contract risk management. Experience coordinating with legal counsel, insurers, and commercial stakeholders on complex contractual matters. Strong drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office & BIMCO Smartcon. Required SkillsBIMCO SUPPLYTIME 2017 Administration Offshore Charter Party Negotiation Contract Drafting & Administration Commercial Risk Management Contract Interpretation Maritime Commercial Law Claims & Dispute Management Commercial Negotiation Vessel Sale & Purchase Documentation Insurance & Liability Management Regulatory Compliance Due Diligence & KYC