LogisticsISCO 4323

Port coordinator

A port coordinator is a person who directs the operations of the port authority unit that manages traffic in a harbour, and who enforces the rules governing how ships berth and how cargo is handled there.

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Rate 5 of the 30 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

ensure compliance with port regulations

coordinate dock operations

ensure ongoing compliance with regulations

give instructions to staff

supervise movement of crew

About port coordinator

The coordinator enforces the rules and regulations on mooring vessels, on transhipment and storage of cargo and on the use of port facilities. They supervise loading, direct the loading of goods onto ships, oversee passenger flow at terminals, and apply procedures to ensure that cargo complies with customs regulations. They operate port and maritime communication systems to work with masters, pilots, tugs and terminal operators. They base those decisions on knowledge of goods in maritime transport and of a ship's physical structural components: what may be stowed where, and what a given hull can take.

The coordinator also directs the maintenance and cleaning of the land areas, streets, buildings and water areas inside the port.

The coordinator documents revenue-earning activities and passes that documentation to the accounts department, advises the port authority on tariffs and changes to port charges, and works to bring shipping companies to the port's facilities. They also direct the compiling of daily and annual statistics on ships and cargo. Formal requirements are set by national port and maritime rules.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (30)

physical parts of the vesselphysical parts of the vesselThe different physical components of the vessel and their maintenance and care effort.geographic areasgeographic areasThe detailed knowledge of a geographical area where different organisations carry out operations.commodities in maritime transportationcommodities in maritime transportationKnowledge of the most important commodities in maritime transportation, i.e. oil, grain, ore, coal and fertilisers, and their characteristics and subdivisions.types of maritime vesselstypes of maritime vesselsVarious types of maritime vessels such as container ships, passenger ships and fishing vessels, and their characteristics and specifications, security, technical, and maintenance requirements.customs regulations for passengerscustoms regulations for passengersThe customs regulations applicable to passengers. The official documents and declaration forms required from different kinds of passengers and for different types of items and goods.port regulationport regulationThe legal standards and regulations applicable to ports, based primarily on municipal laws, port laws or the Maritime Code.ensure compliance with port regulationsensure compliance with port regulationsEnforce compliance with regulations in harbours and sea ports. Communicate with relevant authorities to identify potential risks.coordinate dock operationscoordinate dock operationsCoordinate cargo shipments in and out of dock. Position cranes and arrange containers into shipments, taking into account the exact measures and weight of each container.ensure ongoing compliance with regulationsensure ongoing compliance with regulationsConduct tasks and procedures to ensure that aviation certificates maintain their validity; undertake safeguarding measures as appropriate.give instructions to staffgive instructions to staffGive instructions to subordinates by employing various communication techniques. Adjust communication style to the target audience in order to convey instructions as intended.supervise movement of crewsupervise movement of crewOversee embarkation and disembarkation of crew members. Ensure that safety regulations are followed according to specifications.operate port communications systemsoperate port communications systemsOperate telephone and radio systems, and more complex communication systems used in inland waterway ports, in the coordination of port operations.supervise movement of passengerssupervise movement of passengersOversee embarking and disembarking of travellers; ensure that safety regulations are followed according to specifications.manage staffmanage staffManage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the wor...supervise unloading of cargosupervise unloading of cargoSupervise unloading processes for equipment, cargo, goods and other items. Ensure that everything is handled and stored correctly in accordance with regulations and standards.apply procedures to ensure cargo complies with customs regulationsapply procedures to ensure cargo complies with customs regulationsApply the different procedures required to meet customs obligations when transporting goods across borders and arriving via ports/airports or any other logistics hub, such as producing written customs...supervise loading of cargosupervise loading of cargoSupervise the process of loading equipment, cargo, goods and other Items. Ensure that all cargo is handled and stored properly in accordance with regulations and standards.ensure public safety and securityensure public safety and securityImplement the relevant procedures, strategies and use the proper equipment to promote local or national security activities for the protection of data, people, institutions, and property.manage vessel cargo activitiesmanage vessel cargo activitiesManage and oversee the safe and punctual loading and unloading of cargo from vessels in port.operate marine communication systemsoperate marine communication systemsOperate on board marine communication systems. Communicate with other ships or with on-shore control centre e.g. to send urgent messages concerning safety. Transmit or receive alerts, etc.load cargo onto shipsload cargo onto shipsLoad and unload cargo onto ships. Oversee cargo loading and discharging operations.manage port operationsmanage port operationsExecute port strategy in order to gain sufficient revenue and provide optimal customer service.apply safety managementapply safety managementApply and supervise measures and regulations concerning security and safety in order to maintain a safe environment in the workplace.conduct full-scale emergency plan exercisesconduct full-scale emergency plan exercisesConduct and mobilise all efforts, support organisations, resources, and communications within the airport, to carry out prevention plan exercises in order to prepare and train airport personnel for re...anticipate logistics requirements for port operationsanticipate logistics requirements for port operationsAnticipate port logistics according to vessel departure and arrival. Manage workforce to carry out port activities.manage port operations improvement proceduresmanage port operations improvement proceduresManage all improvement procedures in port operations, including their development and implementation. Understand port activities, operations, and the way these are carried out, to manage improvement.liaise with port usersliaise with port usersCommunicate and cooperate with port users such as shipping agents, freight customers and port managers.coordinate the itineraries of vesselscoordinate the itineraries of vesselsDevelop, manage, and coordinate the itinerary of vessels worldwide together with other stakeholders.anticipate installation maintenanceanticipate installation maintenancePrepare resources and activities to execute installation maintenance, according to budget needs.match vessels to shipping routesmatch vessels to shipping routesUnderstand how particular types of ships are transport different kinds of cargo and operate on different shipping routes. Know the current maritime routes to plan and schedule the arrival and departur...

Optional (8) — show

act reliablyact reliablyProceed in a way that one can be relied on or depended on.manage ocean-going oil tankersmanage ocean-going oil tankersManage lightering operations of ocean-going oil tankers and ensure that procedures throughout the operations are safe and environmentally sound.use different communication channelsuse different communication channelsMake use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.manage the customer experiencemanage the customer experienceMonitor, create and oversee customer experience and perception of brand and service. Ensure pleasant customer experience, treat customers in a cordial and courteous manner.apply transportation management conceptsapply transportation management conceptsApply transport industry management concepts in order to improve transportation processes, reduce waste, increase efficiency, and improve schedule preparation.have computer literacyhave computer literacyUtilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.comply with checklistscomply with checklistsFollow checklists and ensure compliance with all the items included in them.perform services in a flexible mannerperform services in a flexible mannerAdapt service approach when circumstances change.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

water traffic coordinator13 shared essential skills ship captain10 shared essential skills stevedore superintendent10 shared essential skills vessel operations coordinator6 shared essential skills helmsman5 shared essential skills aircraft cargo operations coordinator4 shared essential skills logistics and distribution manager4 shared essential skills ship planner4 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a port coordinator do?

Port coordinators manage operations of traffic division for port authorities. They enforce rules and regulations, such as the berthing of ships, handling and storing of cargo, and the use of port facilities. They direct policing and cleaning activities of the harbour department land, streets, buildings, and water areas. Port coordinators also ensure that activities concerning revenue are documented and submitted to the accounting division. They advise port authorities on rates and revisions of port tariff, and solicit steamship companies to use port facilities. They direct activities concerned with compiling daily and annual ship and cargo statistics.

What skills does a port coordinator need?

A port coordinator needs 30 essential skills, including physical parts of the vessel, geographic areas, commodities in maritime transportation, types of maritime vessels, customs regulations for passengers.

Will AI replace port coordinator jobs?

The AI disruption score for port coordinator is 65/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: comply with checklists, customs regulations for passengers, types of maritime vessels. Most resilient: act reliably, perform services in a flexible manner, conduct full-scale emergency plan exercises.

AI Replacement Risk

65/ 100

High Risk

Low riskHigh risk

Skills most at risk from AI

comply with checklists customs regulations for passengers types of maritime vessels

Skills resilient to automation

act reliably perform services in a flexible manner conduct full-scale emergency plan exercises

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Quick Facts

SectorLogistics

ISCO GroupNumerical and material recording clerks

Essential Skills30

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