Port Captain Trainee, Abidjan

**What is in it for you**

To join an international company and to get firsthand experience in our core business. The opportunity to learn and develop useful skills in an industry leading company.

**Scope**

A trainee position where you are going to learn all about ports and NORDEN port calls in West Africa and the role as Port Captain in Abidjan office. NORDEN offers a 12-month trainee position with the aim to be extended to a permanent position with Norden.

**Context of the Traineeship**

The traineeship is divided into two areas - hands on experience from the port side including tasks related to being port side and office-based tasks. The traineeship will be on a rotation basis depending on the business needs. Hence, travel days is to be expected depending on the rotation from port side to office in Abidjan.

**In Port**
- Make port visits to ports in West Africa where NORDEN vessels call (dry, maybe also wet)
- Establish network in relevant ports and make contact list
- Get to know stakeholders and their role in the port (agents, stevedores, owners, customers, customs, ship chandlers etc.)
- Learn characteristics about relevant ports in West Africa (drafts, tide, WLTHC, congestion etc.)
- Learn characteristics about relevant commodities (see slide from SRJ) including IMSBC code and how to handle.
- Understand cleaning matters / Assist with cleaning operations (under supervision of port captains)
- Attend relevant surveys (draft surveys, cargo surveys etc.)
- Conduct business intelligence/fact finding in port (who does what/business ideas)
- Conduct rain supervising during operations, especially during rainy season
- Attend onboard vessels when in port and sail onboard for shorter periods where possible and relevant
- Learn relevant routines onboard vessels:

- Preparation of stowage plan/loading sequence/discharging sequence (i.e. -familiarization with on board Load Master programs/software)
- Pre-loading routines (i.e. verify availability of mandatory cargo documents and certificates)
- Routines during loading operation (i.e. de-ballasting procedures, trimming/distribution of cargo within each cargo hold, draft survey)
- Routines during sea passage in laden condition (i.e. drainage of bilges)
- Routines during discharging operation (i.e. ballasting procedures, out-trimming of cargo holds, draft survey)

**Office (Operations/Chartering)**
- Familiarize with Stability calculations
- Assist making stowage plans for incoming vessels
- Learn relevant regulations for port calls
- Obtains knowledge of various maritime organisations e.g. IMO, Bimco, Rightship
- Help with office documentation
- Gain in depth understanding of Bill of Lading, LOI and other shipping documents, certificates, and questionnaires in relation to port calls
- Coordinate with internal stakeholders relating to port calls
- Assist with relevant office work
- Learn basics of chartering

**Your competences and core qualification**
- Maritime background from Abidjan Maritime Academy ideally with some work experience
- Basic computer skills needed
- Good communication skills (French/English)
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to think out of the box
- Attention to detail
- Ability to learn fast
- Basic commercial understanding
- Curious mindset
- Ambition
- Seagoing experience will be a plus
- Ideally an outgoing personality that can fit in to the role of a NORDEN rep in the port among stakeholders (internal / external)

**Our company**
NORDEN is a leading shipping company within dry cargo and product tankers and an integrated part of the global commodity trade. With 13 offices across 6 continents, we combine global expertise and local insights to deliver reliable, safe, and efficient solutions to our customers all over the world, enabling smarter global trade.

Operating at the heart of global trade, we are committed to decarbonising the global supply chain, becoming industry leaders within diversity, equality, and inclusion, while taking a firm stance on all forms of corruption.

**Application**

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