Senior Vessel Routing Specialist – Heavy Weather Operations

Role Overview

• Lead end‑to‑end heavy‑weather route planning and voyage risk management for vessels transiting high‑risk seasonal and event‑driven weather regions
• Conduct advanced pre‑departure assessments and define heavy‑weather routing strategies prior to commencement of voyage
• Assume full operational ownership for vessels designated under heavy‑weather notation, acting as senior routing authority throughout the exposure period
• Continuously monitor voyages during heavy‑weather transit, issuing proactive routing updates and escalation advisories as required
• Perform expert analysis of long‑range and short‑range meteorological guidance, including global models, ensemble data, and synoptic chart interpretation
• Evaluate forecast uncertainty, model divergence, and system evolution to anticipate developing weather risks
• Validate internal routing tools against full‑ocean‑scale weather analyses to ensure macro‑scale situational awareness
• Apply deep regional and seasonal routing expertise for major heavy‑weather zones, including the North Pacific, North Atlantic, and other climatologically challenging areas
• Determine optimal routing solutions based on weather, sea state, vessel characteristics, loading condition, and operational constraints
• Proactively identify and mitigate risk of vessel exposure to high‑impact weather corridors
• Recommend and justify route deviations when heavy‑weather thresholds are forecast or exceeded
• Conduct voyage impact assessments, including ETA impact, fuel consumption estimates, and deviation cost‑benefit analysis
• Provide clear, defensible written rationale for routing decisions to internal teams, owners, charterers, and other stakeholders
• Act as escalation point for complex routing cases and elevated weather‑risk scenarios
• Support consistency, quality, and best‑practice standards within the routing team through senior technical oversight
• Provide clear, timely, and actionable routing guidance to vessel personnel and customers
• Collaborate with other routing specialists for peer review and scenario analysis
• Cross time zone collaboration across global offices
• Issue regular updates on expected conditions and routing decisions to other stakeholders
• Ensure routing decisions adhere to safety requirements and best practices
• Document decisions for audit readiness and post‑voyage analysis
• Identify risks tied to icing, storms, hazardous swell, or adverse currents
• Conduct post‑voyage analysis for heavy‑weather‑impacted voyages
• Maintain seasonal pattern observations
• Contribute to improvements in routing methodology.

Requirements

• STCW II/2 Certificate of Competency – Master Mariner (Unlimited / Foreign‑going) on vessels over 3,000 GT
• Minimum 1 year sailing experience as Master on ocean‑going vessels, or minimum 3 years sailing experience as Chief Mate on ocean‑going vessels combined with relevant shore‑based experience as a Senior Routing Analyst or HSE / Technical Superintendent
• Strong, demonstrable understanding of marine weather forecasting, heavy‑weather risk assessment, and voyage planning principles
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to produce clear, defensible operational recommendations
• Proven ability to manage multiple voyages simultaneously under time‑critical and high‑risk conditions
• Experience using weather routing, voyage optimization, or marine operational software (role‑specific training will be provided)
• High attention to detail with a professional, safety‑driven, and client‑focused mindset
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Competence in weather model interpretation
• Risk based decision‑making abilities.

Benefits

• Attractive compensation & benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Global parental leave program
• Flexible working models
• Further local benefits based on the work location