Head of Shipping Agency Operations

Company Description

Africa Global Logistics (AGL), a global logistics leader under the MSC Group, is building its shipping agency operations in Indonesia.

We are looking for an experienced Head of Shipping Agency Operations to own the full vessel call cycle — from pre-arrival coordination to post-departure closeout — across Indonesian ports.

This is an operational leadership role at the core of AGL's maritime business.

If you know Indonesian ports inside out, have deep relationships with port authorities, terminals and service providers, and have managed complex vessel calls including tramp, husbandry and crew change operations, we want to hear from you.

Your Mission

You will lead all port agency operations for AGL Shipping Indonesia — ensuring every vessel call is executed flawlessly, every service provider delivers on time, and every principal receives the level of service that builds a long-term mandate. You will be the operational backbone of the agency, owning the full port call lifecycle: pre-arrival, port stay, departure, and post-call financial closeout.

What you will do

Vessel Call Management — Pre-Arrival

Receive and process vessel call nominations from principals; confirm port readiness, berth availability and operational requirements

Liaise with port authorities (KSOP/Syahbandar), Pelindo terminal operators and harbour masters on vessel scheduling and berthing allocation

Coordinate with Inaportnet for pre-arrival clearance submission and vessel call registration

Prepare and submit all pre-arrival documentation: NOA (Notice of Arrival), crew lists, cargo manifests, dangerous goods declarations, health declarations

Arrange pilotage, towage and mooring services with appointed providers

Brief the vessel master and shipowner representative on port conditions, berth readiness and local requirements

Vessel Call Management — Port Stay & Departure

Board vessels on arrival as boarding agent; liaise directly with master and officers throughout the port stay

Supervise cargo operations: loading, discharging, container movements, conventional and rolling cargo handling

Manage and coordinate all port service providers: stevedores, terminal operators, launch services, water/bunker suppliers, waste reception

Monitor berth occupancy, turnaround times and operational KPIs; escalate delays proactively to principals

Handle departure formalities: clearance from port authority, customs, immigration, harbour master sign-off

Ensure full compliance with port state control (PSC) requirements and ISPS security protocols

Husbandry Services

Coordinate crew change operations: immigration clearances, crew visas, sign-on/sign-off documentation, health declarations and quarantine compliance

Arrange crew logistics: hotel accommodation, transportation to/from port, airport transfers, cash-to-master (CTM) delivery

Manage medical assistance for crew: hospital arrangements, doctor visits, repatriation coordination

Organise vessel provisions, spare parts delivery and ship chandlery with vetted local suppliers

Coordinate repairs and underwater inspections (diving surveys) with approved service providers

Tramp & Voyage Agency Services

Manage tramp vessel calls end-to-end

Coordinate with charterers, owners and ship managers across different appointment structures (owner's agent, charterer's agent, protective agent)

Prepare Statement of Facts (SOF), NOR (Notice of Readiness) and laytime calculations for bulk and tramp operations

Handle voyage-specific documentation and cargo surveys in coordination with P&I correspondents and surveyors

Port Authority & Regulatory Relations

Maintain active working relationships with KSOP , Syahbandar offices and Pelindo entities at key Indonesian ports

Stay current on regulatory changes: Ministerial Decrees (Peraturan Menteri), DJPL (Direktorat Jenderal Perhubungan Laut) circulars and port authority directives

Manage port health authority (KKP) clearances for vessels with international crew

Coordinate customs (Bea Cukai) for bonded cargo, ship stores and duty-free provisions

Ensure all operations comply with Indonesian cabotage (asas cabotage) regulations and SIUPAK requirements

Disbursement Account & Financial Operations

Prepare and submit proforma Disbursement Accounts (DA) to principals prior to vessel arrival

Collect, verify and process all port call invoices: port dues, pilotage, towage, stevedoring, terminal handling, husbandry services

Issue final Disbursement Accounts with full supporting documentation within agreed timelines

Manage cash advances, CTM and local currency requirements for vessel operations

Monitor outstanding DAs, follow up on principal approvals and ensure timely settlement

Maintain accurate records for audit purposes; support monthly reconciliations with principal account statements

Supplier & Service Provider Management

Build, qualify and maintain a panel of reliable, competitive local port service providers across all key Indonesian ports

Negotiate framework agreements with stevedores, launch operators, chandlers, towage companies, waste contractors and repair yards

Monitor supplier performance: quality, punctuality, pricing and compliance with AGL and principal standards

Manage QHSE compliance of all operational service providers on board and at the berth

Operations Management & Reporting

Build and maintain AGL's operational SOP library for Indonesian port agency operations

Supervise and develop the port operations team

Produce vessel call reports, post-call operational summaries and monthly activity reports for the Director of Maritime Solutions

Track operational KPIs: turnaround time, DA closeout timeline, crew change success rate, incident rate

Handle operational claims, incidents and disputes; liaise with P&I clubs and surveyors as required

Contribute to business development by identifying new port call opportunities and service gaps

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Maritime Studies, Nautical Science, Port Management, Logistics or related field

Minimum 10 years of experience in port agency, ship agency or husbandry operations in Indonesia

Hands-on experience managing vessel calls across multiple vessel types

Deep operational knowledge of Indonesian port procedures: Inaportnet, KSOP/Syahbandar processes, Pelindo terminal operations

Proven experience managing crew changes, husbandry services and tramp/voyage agency operations

Strong existing network with port authorities, terminal operators, Pelindo entities and service providers at Tanjung Priok and other major Indonesian ports

Fluent in Bahasa Indonesia and English — both required for principal and authority communication

Proficient in Inaportnet, maritime agency software and Microsoft Office

Calm under operational pressure

Values: reliability, precision, initiative, and service excellence

Why join AGL

A leadership role with real autonomy — authority over staff, budgets and operational decisions

A growing maritime division backed by a Global group with operations in 55+ countries

Opportunities for career development across Africa and Asia

A dynamic, entrepreneurial environment where performance is recognised