Nicon Shipping
Location:
Luganville
Due Date:
25-09-2026
Type:
Full time
Organisation Description:
Shipping company based in Luganville, Santo Vanuatu handling interisland cargo, slipway and engineering services.
Job Desctiption:
The Operations Manager is responsible for the day-to-day running of Nicon's shipping operations out of Luganville, covering vessel scheduling and voyage planning across our fleet, cargo and passenger operations on the wharf, and coordination between the vessels, the office and our customers.
The role carries responsibility for operational safety and compliance, for the accuracy and completeness of voyage documentation, and for ensuring vessels sail and discharge on schedule across our island routes. It requires close coordination with ships' captains, supercargoes, wharf staff and the administration team, and direct accountability to management for operational performance.
The role requires substantial experience in commercial inter-island shipping operations, a working knowledge of maritime safety and cargo regulations, and the judgement to make operational decisions under time pressure in a remote island setting.
Selection Criteria:
Minimum 8–10 years in commercial shipping or maritime operations, with at least 5 years at operations management level.
Direct experience running inter-island or coastal shipping operations — vessel scheduling, voyage planning, and cargo and passenger handling across multiple ports.
Experience managing a multi-vessel fleet and coordinating captains, crew and shore-based staff.
Proven responsibility for maritime safety compliance, including vessel certification, survey requirements and incident reporting.
Experience with cargo documentation and customs procedures — manifests, consignment notes, bills of lading and clearance requirements.
Demonstrated experience training and supervising staff, ideally in a developing or remote island setting.
Experience working to a budget and reporting operational performance to company directors.
Sound judgement and decision-making under time pressure, often with limited information and no ability to defer to shore support.
Practical knowledge of maritime regulations as they apply in Vanuatu, including the Maritime Act and associated safety requirements.
Strong planning and organisational ability — routes, loading, crew rosters and maintenance windows all managed together.
Competence with digital operations systems for bookings, manifests and voyage records.
Ability to communicate clearly with crew, customers and government agencies; fluency in English essential, and the ability to work effectively in a Bislama-speaking workplace.
Leadership and the ability to build the capability of local staff through on-the-job training.
Problem-solving in a remote setting where parts, services and technical support are not readily available.
Salary:
How to Apply
Apply by:
Email, In person
Contact Person:
Lissing Tinning
Contact Phone:
(0678) 35760
Email to send applications to:
Postal Address or location to apply in person:
Nicon Shipping
Main Road
Luganville
Website:
How to apply - more information:
provide references and application letter
For further information on the above job please contact the employer directly.
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