Join our global team for a career filled with opportunities to solve challenges both small and large, local and global, simple and complex.

Have you ever stared out at sea and wondered which exotic destinations all these ships you see are coming from and going to? We know, as we are agents in more than 2200 ports around the world.

In Wilhelmsen Port Services, we provide our customers with piece of mind while we handle their cargo, their vessels, and their crew.

We are looking for a talent with strong organizational skills and attention to detail, to be part of our Ships Agency Operations team in Cape Town.

If you are well organized, customer focused, have the ability to deal with multiple deadlines, result oriented and motivated by challenges, this may be the position for you.

Preferably you already have a solid understanding of the Shipping Industry and familiar with port regulations and procedure. You will need to possess a strong Health and Safety focus with a desire to get the job done, and get it done right.

Key Responsibilities for this position:

• Attend and board vessels as required and as directed by respective Manager, in accordance with Standard of Operation and Customer Requirements.
• Responsible for the effective coordination of assigned port calls.
• Advice on selection of contractors for goods and services provided to principals, including submission of competitive quotations, as required.
• Ensure compliance with Ships Agency processes, standards and procedures, including correct use of the operating system.
• Maintain proper monitoring of the vessel and attend to any follow up enquiries.
• Ensure correct amount of pre-funding are received or the correct level of authority has approved any deviation, prior to performing the Port Call. Same to be ensured when additional funding required prior vessel’s sailing.
• Establish and maintain vessel’s files and all transactional systems are updated real time.
• Ensure proactive, efficient and timely communication at all times.
• Report leads; business opportunities and relevant port updates observed to Manager.
• Monitor and record expenses that arises during vessels’ port call ensuring cost effective vessel operations.
• Ensure Cash-in-Transit (Cash to Master) as per procedure.
• Proactively follow up, check and approve supplier’s invoices.
• Comply with PPE Standard when working in ports/onboard vessels.
• QHSSE matters in own function
• Provide input to improve the operational and cost efficiency of the port call

This position will be measured against:

• Ensuring consistent high level of accuracy of deliverables.
• Meet or exceed annual KPI’s targets for Ships Agency performance

Required Qualification and skills:

• Maritime background and experience from Ship Agency Operations.
• Good communication skills and command of the in English language (oral and written). 
• Process and system understanding. 
• Self-motivated and result orientated. 
• Proactive and possesses ability to anticipate issue to facilitate preventive measures. 
• Ability to work under pressure. 
• Problem solving skills with ability to make fast and sound judgement. 
• Ability to effectively plan & direct an operation without compromising on safety to personnel and vessel. 
• Good motivator and team leadership skills. 
• Familiar with Port & local Authorities regulations, procedures and governing tariffs. 
• Computer literate.

The ability to work independently, to work under pressure, to be a problem solver, and a solution provider are important traits to be successful in the role, however always remembering you are part of a team working to be successful together.

Reliability, trustworthiness, multitasking, thoroughness, and determination are all characteristics that you also need to possess.   

If you can see yourself in this role, please let us know why you are our new Ships Agency Operator.

You can apply online today through our career portal by creating a ‘Candidate Home’ account. Here you can upload your resume and a motivational letter.  

Work location:  

• Position is based in Cape Town, and includes Agency operational responsibilities for Saldanha Bay & Mossel Bay

Application deadline: 16/10/2026