ESL is a global organisation headquartered in Dubai, UAE. It ranks in the top 20 global container shipping lines. It has more than 70 offices in 30 countries.
Emirates Shipping Line (ESL) is a prominent player in the global shipping and logistics industry, strategically connecting key markets across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and the Indian Subcontinent. With a strong commitment to customer service and operational excellence, ESL has established itself as a boutique carrier that caters to niche markets while prioritizing people and service at the core of its operations.
We currently have an opening for a Senior Manager/AGM - Stowage & Operations Optimisation role based in Mumbai/Chennai.
Scope :
The Stowage leads and oversees the global stowage planning function to ensure safe, efficient, and commercially optimized vessel stowage across the fleet. This role is responsible for managing a team of stowage planners across 3 locations (Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai), driving process and system improvements, and collaborating closely with internal and external stakeholders to support operational excellence, cost efficiency, and high vessel utilization. Travel to ESL regional locations and execute operations excellence.
Responsibilities :
Strategic Leadership & Team Management
- Lead, mentor, and develop the stowage planning team to maintain high technical standards, consistent performance, and strong operational responsiveness.
- Guide complex or critical stowage decisions, ensuring compliance with safety guidelines, stability requirements, and regulatory standards.
- Develop workforce planning, training frameworks, and competency development programs for stowage planners.
Operational Excellence
- Oversee the planning and validation of container stowage across vessels, ensuring seaworthiness, balanced stability, safe DG segregation, optimal crane split, and alignment with port/terminal constraints.
- Set and uphold planning standards, SOPs, and best practices to ensure safe operations, maximum vessel utilisation, and minimized operational costs.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including system enhancements, process automation, and operational efficiency projects.
Stakeholder & Network Collaboration
- Partner closely with terminals, regional operations, vessel command teams, network planning, commercial teams, and deployment to ensure smooth and coordinated execution.
- Provide direction on vessel suitability assessments for trade deployment based on capacity, cargo mix, port rotations, stability performance, and operational constraints.
- Act as escalation point for operational issues, disruptions, or contingencies, ensuring timely resolution and mitigation planning.
Governance, Safety & Compliance
- Ensure adherence to international maritime safety regulations, classification requirements, and internal nautical standards.
- Monitor key operational KPIs, conduct trend analysis, and drive corrective or preventive actions where required.
- Lead performance reviews and cost improvement discussions with terminals and operational partners.
Requirements :
- Bachelor's Degree in Maritime Studies, Nautical Science, Marine Engineering, Logistics, or related field.
- At least 1012 years of experience in stowage planning, marine operations, or related operational shipping functions.
- Prior experience managing a team in a fast-paced operational environment.
- Strong understanding of vessel stability, container and breakbulk cargo handling operations and terminal operations.
- Excellent problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to respond to operational situations across multiple time zones, when required.
- Strong leadership presence and ability to influence across functions.
- High attention to detail and commitment to safety.
- Resilient, adaptive, and capable of making decisive operational judgments.
- Passion for continuous improvement and operational excellence.
- Less experienced candidate will be considered for the Senior Manager position.
