Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Head of Tankers

🎯 Role Definition

The Head of Tankers is a pivotal senior leadership role, entrusted with the overall commercial performance and strategic direction of the company's tanker division. This individual holds full P&L responsibility for the fleet, driving profitability through expert chartering strategies, robust operational oversight, and shrewd market navigation. The role demands a blend of deep industry expertise, commercial acumen, and strong leadership to manage a team of chartering and operations professionals. The Head of Tankers acts as the primary architect of the division's success, ensuring fleet optimization, managing key stakeholder relationships, and positioning the business for sustained growth and market leadership in the dynamic global shipping environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Chartering Manager / Director
Commercial Director (Shipping)
Head of Operations (Tankers)

Advancement To:

Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Managing Director / Regional CEO

Lateral Moves:

Head of Dry Bulk / Gas Carriers
Director of Business Development / Corporate Strategy
Head of Sale and Purchase (S&P)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, articulate, and execute the comprehensive commercial strategy for the entire tanker fleet to maximize profitability and asset utilization.
Hold full P&L accountability for the tanker division, including budget creation, financial forecasting, performance monitoring, and reporting to executive leadership.
Lead, mentor, and manage the chartering and post-fixture operations teams, fostering a high-performance culture and ensuring seamless execution of commercial activities.
Spearhead and personally engage in the negotiation of high-value, complex charter party agreements, including spot voyages, time charters (TC), and Contracts of Affreightment (COAs).
Direct the strategic positioning of the fleet globally, analyzing trade routes, cargo flows, and market dynamics to optimize vessel earnings.
Cultivate and maintain strong, long-term relationships with key stakeholders, including major oil companies, traders, brokers, and industry partners.
Conduct continuous, in-depth analysis of the tanker market, including supply/demand fundamentals, freight rate trends, and geopolitical factors to inform strategic decisions.
Oversee the entire post-fixture process, ensuring that all voyages are executed efficiently, cost-effectively, and in compliance with charter party terms.
Manage and mitigate commercial risks, including counterparty risk, freight rate volatility, and bunker price fluctuations, potentially utilizing freight derivatives (FFAs).
Collaborate closely with the Technical and Marine departments to ensure vessel availability, performance, and compliance with all safety and environmental regulations (e.g., SIRE, PSC).
Drive the development and implementation of digital tools and systems to enhance commercial decision-making, performance tracking, and operational efficiency.
Identify and evaluate new business opportunities, including expansion into new markets, vessel classes, or strategic partnerships.
Ensure the division's strict adherence to all international maritime regulations, sanctions, and corporate compliance policies.
Represent the company as a senior leader at industry conferences, client meetings, and high-level negotiations to enhance its brand and market presence.
Lead the division's response to emerging industry trends, particularly sustainability initiatives like decarbonization strategies (CII, EU ETS) and the adoption of alternative fuels.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory analysis for senior management and board-level presentations.
Contribute to the organization's long-term corporate strategy and fleet development roadmap, including Sale & Purchase (S&P) recommendations.
Collaborate with legal and insurance departments on claims handling, dispute resolution, and contractual matters.
Participate in the selection and evaluation of commercial vendors and service providers, such as weather routing services and market intelligence platforms.
Act as a key advisor to the executive team on all matters related to the tanker market and commercial shipping landscape.
Oversee the professional development and succession planning for key talent within the chartering and operations teams.
Champion a culture of continuous improvement, challenging existing processes and seeking innovative solutions to commercial and operational challenges.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Expert-Level Chartering Knowledge: Mastery of all forms of tanker chartering, including Spot, Time Charter, Bareboat, and COAs, with a deep understanding of relevant charter party forms (e.g., ASBATANKVOY, SHELLTIME).
Extensive Market Intelligence: An intricate understanding of global oil and chemical trade flows, supply/demand drivers, and the factors influencing freight markets for various tanker segments (e.g., VLCC, Suezmax, Aframax, MR, Chemical).
Financial & P&L Management: Proven ability to manage a significant P&L, develop complex budgets, and utilize financial metrics to drive commercial performance.
Maritime Regulatory Framework: Strong working knowledge of international maritime law, IMO regulations, sanctions regimes, insurance (P&I, H&M), and environmental compliance (MARPOL, CII).
Advanced Negotiation & Contractual Acumen: Expertise in negotiating complex, multi-million dollar contracts with a keen eye for contractual detail and risk mitigation.
Voyage Estimation & Optimization: Proficiency in performing complex voyage calculations, optimizing for speed/consumption, and using analytical tools to maximize time charter equivalent (TCE) earnings.
Shipping Software Proficiency: Familiarity with leading shipping ERP systems (e.g., Veson IMOS, ShipNet) and data analysis tools.

Soft Skills

Strategic & Commercial Mindset: The ability to think beyond daily fixing to develop and execute long-term, value-creating commercial strategies.
Decisive Leadership: A proven leader capable of inspiring, managing, and developing a team of experienced professionals in a high-pressure environment.
Exceptional Relationship Builder: Natural ability to build and sustain trust-based relationships with a global network of clients, brokers, and partners.
Superior Communication Skills: Articulate, persuasive, and clear in both written and verbal communication, capable of presenting complex information to diverse audiences, including board members.
High-Stakes Decision Making: The composure and analytical ability to make sound, timely decisions with significant financial implications.
Resilience and Composure: Thrives in a volatile, fast-paced 24/7 market environment, demonstrating stability and clear thinking under pressure.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree (e.g., MBA, MSc in Shipping/Logistics) or a professional qualification such as a Member or Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Maritime Business / Transport
Business Administration / Economics
International Trade / Logistics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 15-20+ years

Preferred: Extensive and progressive experience within the tanker shipping sector is mandatory. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrable track record of success in a senior commercial leadership role at a reputable shipowner, operator, or oil major/trading house, with direct P&L and team management responsibilities.