Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 9333
Stevedore superintendent
A stevedore superintendent is a person who supervises and monitors cargo handling and the work on a port's waterfront facilities, with the aim of getting the most out of them.
Check yourself in a minute: stevedore superintendent
Rate 5 of the 26 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
create solutions to problems
coordinate dock operations
give instructions to staff
observe freight shipment loaders
supervise movement of crew
About stevedore superintendent
The superintendent manages the loading and unloading of cargo, supervises both operations and anticipates the logistical requirements of port operations: which gang goes to which hatch, what equipment is needed, where the cargo goes once it is ashore and what has to be ready before a ship arrives.
The superintendent monitors the safety of the work area continuously and applies workplace health and safety rules, especially around suspended loads and moving vehicles.
The superintendent ensures compliance with transport regulations, which set what may be carried, stowed or handled and how. When an incident occurs, the superintendent may carry out enquiries into incidents and prepare accident reports. Different communication channels are used across a shift with ships' officers, gangs, agents and terminal staff, and knowledge of port entry operations connects a vessel's movement to the work waiting for it. The superintendent also adapts to changing situations such as weather, delays and damage. Requirements for the role are set by the employer.
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (26)
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.health and safety in the workplacehealth and safety in the workplaceThe body of rules, procedures and regulations related to safety, health and welfare of people in their workplace.dock operationsdock operationsThe different operations that take place in docks, primarily those concerned with the incoming and outgoing of cargo shipments, and the logistics activities relating to cranes, containers, and shipmen...freight transport methodsfreight transport methodsThe different modalities of freight transport such as air, sea, or intermodal freight transport, including the details and procedures specific to them.port regulationport regulationThe legal standards and regulations applicable to ports, based primarily on municipal laws, port laws or the Maritime Code.create solutions to problemscreate solutions to problemsSolve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising informat...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.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.observe freight shipment loadersobserve freight shipment loadersObserve process of freight loading; ensure that crew complies with all applicable regulations and procedures; stow heavy and potentially dangerous cargo.supervise movement of crewsupervise movement of crewOversee embarkation and disembarkation of crew members. Ensure that safety regulations are followed according to specifications.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.stack goodsstack goodsStack goods and manufactured products into containers. This may include anticipating the need for and utilising additional protective materials in stacking the products.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.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.adapt to changing situationsadapt to changing situationsChange approach to situations based on unexpected and sudden changes in people's needs and mood or in trends; shift strategies, improvise and naturally adapt to those circumstances.manage vessel cargo activitiesmanage vessel cargo activitiesManage and oversee the safe and punctual loading and unloading of cargo from vessels in port.ensure compliance with shipment regulationsensure compliance with shipment regulationsEnsure compliance with shipment laws, regulations and policies; keep shipments secure and damage free; ensure the safety of staff members handling the cargo.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...apply safety managementapply safety managementApply and supervise measures and regulations concerning security and safety in order to maintain a safe environment in the workplace.manage cargo handlingmanage cargo handlingManage safely the mechanical elements in the loading and unloading of cargo and stores. Organize stowing and unstowing of products to guarantee the stability of the vessel.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.adjust prioritiesadjust prioritiesAdjust priorities quickly in response to frequently changing circumstances. Continually assess tasks and respond to those requiring extra attention. Foresee and seek to avoid crisis management.receive shipment packaging informationreceive shipment packaging informationReceive information from consignors about the goods, about aspects of the paperwork, and about how the goods should be packed and loaded onto trucks. Understand information and rigorously apply instru...write inspection reportswrite inspection reportsWrite the results and conclusions of the inspection in a clear and intelligible way. Log the inspection's processes such as contact, outcome, and steps taken.prepare freight shipment reportsprepare freight shipment reportsCompose and submit freight shipment reports. Include detailed information on freight conditions and freight handling; report problems if necessary.
Optional (20) — show
types of cargotypes of cargoThe different types of cargo e.g. bulk cargo, liquid bulk cargo and heavy materials.warehouse operationswarehouse operationsThe basic principles and practices of warehouse operations such as goods storage and the organisation of warehouse facilities.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.project managementproject managementThe discipline of project management, the activities which comprise this area and the variables implied in it, such as time, resources, requirements, deadlines, and responding to unexpected events.transportation methodstransportation methodsKnowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and optimal work strategies.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.hazardous freight regulationshazardous freight regulationsThe regulatory schemes applicable to the transportation of dangerous materials, such as IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) for air transport, or International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code ("IMDG ...cooperate with colleaguescooperate with colleaguesCooperate with colleagues in order to ensure that operations run effectively.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.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...monitor storage spacemonitor storage spaceSupervise and organise the area in which products are stored.make independent operating decisionsmake independent operating decisionsMake immediate operating decisions as necessary without reference to others, taking into account the circumstances and any relevant procedures and legislation. Determine alone which option is the best...plan shifts of employeesplan shifts of employeesPlans shifts of employees to ensure completion of all customer orders and satisfactory completion of the production plan.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.liaise with colleaguesliaise with colleaguesLiaise with fellow colleagues to ensure common understanding on work related affairs and agree on the necessary compromises the parties might need to face. Negotiate compromises between parties as to ...address problems criticallyaddress problems criticallyIdentify the strengths and weaknesses of various abstract, rational concepts, such as issues, opinions, and approaches related to a specific problematic situation in order to formulate solutions and a...distinguish various types of shipsdistinguish various types of shipsRecognise and name various types of vessels common in European maritime transport. Understand the different characteristics, construction details, and tonnage capacities of different vessels.liaise with port usersliaise with port usersCommunicate and cooperate with port users such as shipping agents, freight customers and port managers.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
port coordinator10 shared essential skillsfreight inspector6 shared essential skillsship planner5 shared essential skillshelmsman4 shared essential skillsship captain4 shared essential skillswarehouse manager4 shared essential skillswater traffic coordinator4 shared essential skillsair traffic instructor3 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does a stevedore superintendent do?
Stevedore superintendents supervise and monitor the freight handling and longshore labor in a dockyard to maximise productivity. They manage the loading and unloading of cargo and monitor the safety of the work area. Stevedore superintendents may also investigate incidents and prepare accident reports.
What skills does a stevedore superintendent need?
A stevedore superintendent needs 26 essential skills, including international regulations for cargo handling, health and safety in the workplace, dock operations, freight transport methods, port regulation.
Will AI replace stevedore superintendent jobs?
The AI disruption score for stevedore superintendent is 36/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: write work-related reports, write inspection reports, prepare freight shipment reports. Most resilient: cooperate with colleagues, liaise with colleagues, stack goods.
AI Replacement Risk
36/ 100
Moderate Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
ISCO GroupLabourers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transport
Essential Skills26
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