What skills does a ship planner need?

A ship planner needs 47 essential skills including international regulations for cargo handling, maritime law, International Maritime Organisation conventions, types of maritime vessels, vessel stability principles. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace ship planner jobs?

The AI disruption score for ship planner is 77/100 (very high risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

LogisticsNumerical and material recording clerksISCO 4323

ship planner

Ship planners manage the performance of a vessel. They ensure the safety of the vessel and its cargo, its operationality and link available vessels to available cargos in order to maximise the profitability of the voyages. They ensure that each container ship is loaded to its optimal capacity, while keeping berth times and handling costs to a minimum. They also plan the maintenance and overhaul of the ship, as well as the crew needed.

About ship planner

As a ship planner, you will work at the strategic and operational heart of maritime logistics, managing complex vessel operations and cargo optimization. Your responsibilities include developing stowage plans that maximize container capacity while minimizing costs, coordinating with crew management and maintenance schedules, and ensuring full compliance with international maritime regulations and conventions. You will liaise between shipping customers, port authorities, and vessel operators, interpreting visual documentation and maritime data to make decisions that affect vessel safety, profitability, and efficiency. This role demands strong analytical and communication skills, and offers excellent career prospects in Poland's increasingly important maritime industry, with opportunities for advancement to senior management and specialized logistics positions.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a ship planner.

Plan cargo stowage and vessel loading

Compose detailed stowage plans optimizing container placement and weight distribution
Calculate vessel stability parameters and ensure compliance with stability regulations
Supervise loading operations and verify stowage execution

Manage vessel operations and scheduling

Plan vessel maintenance and overhaul schedules
Coordinate crew requirements and scheduling
Oversee shipment routing and vessel voyage planning

Ensure regulatory compliance and safety

Apply International Maritime Organisation conventions and cargo handling regulations
Ensure vessel compliance with maritime law and safety standards
Follow ethical codes of conduct in all transport services

Communicate with stakeholders and manage customer requests

Handle customer requests related to cargo and shipping schedules
Communicate with port authorities and maritime authorities
Maintain professional relationships with logistics partners and suppliers

Analyze maritime data and vessel performance

Interpret visual literacy and maritime documentation
Monitor vessel performance metrics and operational efficiency
Analyze cargo-related data to optimize voyage profitability

European Skills Framework

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

Essential (47)

international regulations for cargo handlinginternational regulations for cargo handlingThe body of conventions, guidelines and rules which dictate the activity of loading and unloading cargo in international ports.maritime lawmaritime lawThe collection of domestic and international laws and treaties that govern behaviour on the sea.International Maritime Organisation conventionsInternational Maritime Organisation conventionsThe fundamental principles and requirements laid in the different conventions issued by the International Maritime Organisation.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.vessel stability principlesvessel stability principlesThoroughly understand the principles of vessel stability; follow safety requirements during loading and unloading of cargo.maritime telecommunicationsmaritime telecommunicationsKnowledge of transmission, broadcasting equipment and overall operation of telecommunications systems.principles of cargo stowageprinciples of cargo stowageThe principles of cargo stowage. The procedures by which containers should be efficiently loaded and unloaded, taking into account gravitational forces that are exerted during transportation.handle customer requests related to cargohandle customer requests related to cargoHandle requests of port users and customers in the field of containers, shipping arrangements or cargo.operate radio equipmentoperate radio equipmentSet up and operate radio devices and accessories, such as broadcast consoles, amplifiers, and microphones. Understand the basics of radio operator language and, when necessary, provide instruction in ...apply company policiesapply company policiesApply the principles and rules that govern the activities and processes of an organisation.communicate with customerscommunicate with customersRespond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.manage safety standards for inland water transportmanage safety standards for inland water transportManage and maintain safety standards and procedures in the field of inland water transport. Ensure that before dispatching any vessel, all regulations and standards are met. May also be required to ac...follow ethical code of conduct in transport servicesfollow ethical code of conduct in transport servicesCarry out transport services according to accepted principles of right and wrong. This includes principles of fairness, transparency, and impartiality.interpret visual literacyinterpret visual literacyInterpret charts, maps, graphics, and other pictorial presentations used in place of the written word.compose stowage planscompose stowage plansCompose stowage plans; knowledge of ballast systems and cargo loading process.oversee shipment routingoversee shipment routingOrganise the distribution of the cargo, also known as 'forwarding'. Take into account the instructions of the client and determine where regular routing or various routings may be required.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.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.operate maritime communication equipmentoperate maritime communication equipmentOperate and maintain maritime communication devices. Conduct periodic inspections of communication equipment.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.comply with legal regulationscomply with legal regulationsEnsure you are properly informed of the legal regulations that govern a specific activity and adhere to its rules, policies and laws.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.operate stowage programmesoperate stowage programmesOperate stowage programmes used for controlling stability in vessels, loading operations, and cargo planning processes. Interpret graphical interfaces, stowage data and scenario variables.recruit employeesrecruit employeesHire new employees by scoping the job role, advertising, performing interviews and selecting staff in line with company policy and legislation.use equipment for safe stowageuse equipment for safe stowageUse tools and equipment to perform safe stowage and ensure proper loading and securing of goods.apply regulations on cargo transport operationsapply regulations on cargo transport operationsDisplay knowledge of relevant local, national, European and international regulations, standards, and codes concerning the operation of freight transport.manage shipment risksmanage shipment risksHandle risky or dangerous cargo. Ensure that that every shipment operation is executed in an appropriate manner. Calculate cargo weight, ensure that cranes are correctly positioned and see that contai...develop shipping itinerariesdevelop shipping itinerariesDevelop a total journey scenario using equipment and specialised software. Plot multiple port voyages while optimising utilisation of cargo space and ship capacity throughout the entire voyage.stay up-to-date with maritime transportation technologystay up-to-date with maritime transportation technologyGather information about the current trends in maritime transportation technology and stay up-to-date with the latest findings in the field. Apply this knowledge in operations and decision-making whil...write work-related reportswrite work-related reportsCompose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligib...ensure safe loading of goods according to stowage planensure safe loading of goods according to stowage planMonitor and ensure the safe and secure loading of materials and goods, as specified in the stowage plan.monitor the discharge of cargomonitor the discharge of cargoDevelop cargo discharge plan and monitor the performance of the cranes that offload cargo from the vessel; ensure that relevant occupational safety requirements are met at all times.prepare visual dataprepare visual dataPrepare charts and graphs in order to present data in a visual manner.read stowage plansread stowage plansRead and comprehend content of stowage plans to stow various types of cargo.maximise efficiency of crane operationsmaximise efficiency of crane operationsMinimise crane operations, additional crane movements, or 're-stows' by effectively planning the organisations of containers in vessels. Analyse delivery schedules and movements for maximum efficiency...operate scientific measuring equipmentoperate scientific measuring equipmentOperate devices, machinery, and equipment designed for scientific measurement. Scientific equipment consists of specialised measuring instruments refined to facilitate the acquisition of data.have computer literacyhave computer literacyUtilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.plan transport operationsplan transport operationsPlan mobility and transport for different departments, in order to obtain the best possible movement of equipment and materials. Negotiate the best possible delivery rates; compare different bids and ...consider constraints in maritime shippingconsider constraints in maritime shippingConsider multiple constraints specific to maritime shipping such as: the maximum draught of ships; the depth of channels and canals; tide measures; and the respective impact on load capacity. Create d...implement cost-effective cargo handling strategies on shipsimplement cost-effective cargo handling strategies on shipsImplement cost-effective strategies for loading and unloading of cargo on ships with the aim of maximising efficiency, reducing the resources expended, and assuring sufficient operations while increas...calculate the amount of cargo on a vesselcalculate the amount of cargo on a vesselDetermine the weight of cargo on tanker ships and cargo vessels. Calculate the exact amount of loaded cargo or cargo to be discharged.measure ship tonnagemeasure ship tonnageMeasure ships to identify cargo hold and storage capacities.interpret graphical communication interfacesinterpret graphical communication interfacesHave the capacity to understand the various shapes and representations used in the schematics and 3D isometric model presented by communication programmes.maintain voyage logsmaintain voyage logsMaintain a written records of events during a ship or aeroplane voyage.implement strategic planningimplement strategic planningTake action on the goals and procedures defined at a strategic level in order to mobilise resources and pursue the established strategies.prepare documentation for international shippingprepare documentation for international shippingPrepare and process official documents for international shipping.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 (11)

continuous improvement philosophiescontinuous improvement philosophiesUnderlying ideas of quality management systems. Implementation process of lean manufacturing, Kanban, Kaizen, Total Quality Management (TQM) and other continuous improvement systems.electronic communicationelectronic communicationData communication performed through digital means such as computers, telephone or e-mail.anticipate potential deficienciesanticipate potential deficienciesAssess scenarios in order to anticipate and pinpoint potential deficiencies. Rely on experience combined with statistical probability to mitigate the risk of encountering setbacks.act reliablyact reliablyProceed in a way that one can be relied on or depended on.perform data analysisperform data analysisCollect data and statistics to test and evaluate in order to generate assertions and pattern predictions, with the aim of discovering useful information in a decision-making process.negotiate logistics servicesnegotiate logistics servicesReach an agreement on the planning and control of the movement of goods, and all related logistical supporting activities without losing sight of one's own or others' goals.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.manage teamworkmanage teamworkPlan the working schedule of a group of people in order to meet all time and quality requirements. Supervise, support and instruct members of a team. Provide feedback to teams and individuals on work ...show intercultural awarenessshow intercultural awarenessShow sensibility towards cultural differences by taking actions which facilitate positive interaction between international organisations, between groups or individuals of different cultures, and to p...respond to changing navigation circumstancesrespond to changing navigation circumstancesRespond decisively and in sufficient time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations while navigating.use maritime Englishuse maritime EnglishCommunicate in English employing language used in actual situations on board ships, in ports and elsewhere in the shipping chain.