The British Ports Association is the national membership body for ports in the UK, representing 86% of all UK port traffic. We work hard to promote this thriving industry, both to the public and to government and see our role as essential in advocating not just for the major ports operators but also the key workers that keep our economy afloat. We aim to work towards an equitable, diverse, and transparent ports industry, and provide the secretariat for the Association of Participating Bodies of the Pilots’ National Pension Fund.
The British ports sector plays an essential role in the UK economy. 95% of the UK’s international trade, both imports and exports, pass through the ports and they are essential hubs for the energy and tourism sectors. A major part of that success story is our people; the dedicated individuals who keep our industry running through thick and thin.
The UK ports industry directly employs approximately 115,000 people, and creates additional jobs in logistics, energy, and tourism. However, more than that, the ports sector provides real opportunities for coastal communities and offers excellent career prospects for enthusiastic and talented people from all walks of life.
And not all ports careers require maritime experience. Positions in engineering, finance, and health and safety are just as much in demand as marine pilots, deckhands, and divers. So long as you have the drive to succeed, the ports sector wants you!
Key skills are always in demand, and the industry provides excellent opportunities for development in a practical setting. No matter what your talent, there is a job for you. These are just a few of the positions available in this vibrant and exciting industry.
ACCOUNTING and FINANCE
As with many industries, ports derive much of their income from day-to-day banking, invoicing customers, and other financial works. As such, there are several opportunities for accountants and finance officers in the ports industry. This can range from an Accounts Assistant, who provides clerical and smaller budgetary duties, to the Chief Finance Officer who is responsible for developing control systems designed to preserve assets.
ENGINEERING
Ports would cease to function without the hard work and experience of engineers. Electrical, mechanical, and apprentices are all essential to the running of ports, and often to excellent career progression within both their discipline and the port operator themselves.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Due to our coastal nature, the ports sector views themselves as custodians of some of the most spectacular and diverse areas of the British coastline. As such, the industry takes this role seriously and positions are open for environmental and sustainability officers. From investigating potential breaches in conduct to coordinating pollution policy, environmental positions form a large part of the social compact between operators and their communities.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Our people are the secret to the port industry’s success and keeping them safe from harm is a top priority. Health and Safety Managers conduct audits, inspections, and guidance for all 115,000 people in the sector and work frequently with our colleagues at Port Skills and Safety to ensure standards are maintained.
COMMUNICATIONS
Communications is of ever-increasing importance to the ports industry, as we aim to be more than just economic hubs but also drivers of investment in the local community. Public relations and communications managers play a key role in this mission, providing online comms, press releases, and internal publications. There is also the business aspect to consider, and marketing assistants are pivotal in the creation and distribution of market research and company branding.
Much of the ports sector relies on the accrued knowledge of thousands of industry veterans who understand their work inside and out. However, that knowledge is best passed on not through the classroom but by practical, real-world experience that only apprenticeships can offer. There are hundreds of port-based apprenticeship opportunities throughout the UK, providing internationally recognised qualifications and paid positions for everyone from school leavers to career changers.
The ports industry is committed to the principles of equality and diversity, believing that only through embracing different people from different backgrounds can new and successful ideas be allowed to propagate. The sector provides a wide range of jobs, allowing people to work to their strengths while exploring new career paths and possibilities. In recent years, BPA has worked with Maritime UK on their Maritime Careers Hub and Ethnicity in Maritime Initiative to encourage people, regardless of age of demographic, to consider working in a maritime setting. As an island nation, it makes sense.
The following ports industry jobs have been sent to us by our members.
Please download the attached files or click the links to view.
If you are a member and would like us to add a vacancy please contact us.
To find out more about Maritime Careers please click here.
Peterhead is one of the UK’s most versatile ports, serving fishing and a broad range of industries including oil and gas, decommissioning, renewables, and leisure. The port has a turnover of £14 million and annually handles around 2,200 commercial arrivals with 1.2 million tonnes of cargo and 2,700 fishing boat arrivals returning £220 million value of fish last year.
Peterhead is the UK’s largest white fish and pelagic port and is a major logistics base for servicing the offshore oil and gas industry.
PPA’s most recent development in 2018, involved a £53million modernisation of the inner harbours and construction of a new fish market, which helped to maintain their preeminent role in the UK and European fishing industry.
The development of a new Masterplan is presently being optimised to focus on the provision of new facilities and infrastructure to host emerging energy transition industries such as CCUS, offshore wind, and hydrogen / clean fuels production. Peterhead also lies within the North East Scotland Investment Zone.
Opportunity
Peterhead Port Authority (PPA) seeks to appoint a Chief Executive with a proven successful track record in senior management and with strong leadership qualities. Because of the important role that the harbour plays in the life of the community, the Chief Executive will foster a positive and prominent position with a range of local, regional and national stakeholder bodies.
Based in Peterhead and reporting to the Convenor and the Peterhead Port Authority Board, the Chief Executive will lead PPA and its employees through projects and strategy focussed on the goals set by the Board of the Authority.
The Chief Executive also serves as an ex-officio member of the Board of the Authority (including secretarial duties and preparation of Board papers and minutes), as well as ensuring the welfare of all employees and stakeholders of the port, overseeing and promoting the fiscal and financial success of the Authority.
The Individual
PPA are looking for an exceptional individual with proven ability to envision the opportunities which existing and emerging business sectors can bring to the port. They must be able to capitalise upon these opportunities by successfully building relationships, talent and infrastructure to secure them. Leadership, vision and trust will be the hallmarks of a highly motivated individual who thrives on delivery of ‘best-in-class’ service, and flourishes in challenging and diverse circumstances.
The candidate is expected to be qualified to degree level or equivalent and have recent senior management experience of supporting a Board, including responsibility for implementing and advancing their strategic objectives. Additionally, the management and oversight of all the organisation’s operations, finances and resources is required. It is desirable that experience is principally from the port sector and the individual has a sound understanding of the challenges associated with the Port’s main trading sectors.
The successful candidate will excel at networking, developing and maintaining relationships with customers, stakeholders, staff and other organisations. They will possess a good knowledge of health, safety and environmental issues and have significant budgeting and financial planning experience.
Please download the attached Candidate Brief document for full details about Peterhead Port Authority, the role and your application. Commensurate with the role and expectations, there is a generous reward and remuneration package available to the right candidate.
If you would like to discuss the role in more detail, please contact:
We are looking for a Harbour Master, reporting to the Chief Commercial Officer , to manage the Marine department and be responsible for ensuring relevant statutory requirements are met for safe navigation.
The role will ensure the safe and efficient handling of shipping as required by Port of Aberdeen Acts and Orders, the UK Port Marine Safety Code, port of Aberdeen’s Safety Management Systems (Marine SMS) and associated Statutory obligations.
The Harbour Master will line manage and oversee the Deputy Harbour Master (VTS and Pilotage) in delivering customer focused and effective Vessel Traffic (VTS) and Pilotage Services.
REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Hold a STCW II/2 (Masters Unlimited) Certificate of Competency or equivalent, or a lesser STCW or relevant industry experience in ports.
Have relevant management experience in the marine and/or ports industry.
A thorough knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the PMSC (and supporting Guide to Good Practice) marine risk assessment techniques and relevant ports and marine legislation.
A thorough understanding and ability to implement / discharge AHB’s responsibilities in the provision of a competent, progressive and efficient Vessel Traffic and Pilotage Service.
Good communication/presentational/interpersonal skills; writing, time management and administrative skills are essential, with an ability to work under pressure and make decisions within agreed delegation of authority.
Ability to represent PoA on national, regional, and local ports, marine safety, training and contingency management forums.
IOSH Managing Safely in Ports Certification or equivalent with a developed understanding of relevant occupational health, marine safety and environmental obligations and systems.
Ability to attend / join ships at sea, in harbour or alongside and be medically fit to do so (ENG1, MLC Medical or any other equivalent suitable medical assessment).
Significant knowledge and demonstrable understanding of:
Safety Management Systems
Writing and implementing company procedures
Implementing Policy
Pilotage Operations
Towage and dredging
Vessel Traffic Systems
Incident investigation and Risk Management
Infrastructure development
Contingency Management
Port Security/ ISPS
Conservancy
SALARY AND HOURS
Salary £85,000 – £100,000 dependent on experience.
36.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
There is a requirement to be part of an on-call rota.
This is a new role to support the existing management team of Harbour Master and Deputy Harbour Master to allow allow a specific focus on the service delivery and training of those employees under the VTS umbrella in the department. Allowing the assessment of new technologies and their implication within the VTS environment and allow for agile integration of new technologies into the port environment. Overall enhancing the safety of navigation within the port for the port users.
Reporting to the Deputy Harbour Master, the VTS Supervisor is responsible for maintaining navigational safety within the requirements of the Port Marine Safety Code and will supervise and co-ordinate the activities of the VTS centre on behalf of the VTS Authority.
This role will ensure that current rules, regulations, and legislation are followed and will support the Deputy Harbour Master in ensuring the VTS department is trained and qualified to VTS Authority standard and in compliance with our safety and quality management systems.
The VTS Supervisor will plan, maintain and develop emergency procedures and will record and prepare evidence in response to any incident or accident within the VTS area of responsibility/jurisdiction.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Qualified V103-2 with previous experience in a VTS supervisors role
A full understanding of the VTS functions and the tasks performed by the VTS operators is essential, as is an in-depth knowledge of the needs, requirements and expectations of stakeholders and vessels using the VTS.
Have a working knowledge of relevant port legislation, guides to good practice and relevant ACOPS
Have a good working knowledge of the International COLREGS and be able to apply them to ensure safety of vessels within the VTS area.
Comprehensive understanding of interpreting information from RADAR and ARPA.
Ability to prioritise workload to manage dynamic marine environment.
Ability to engage and motivate a small team effectively.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders, both internal and external.
Understanding of meteorological terms and weather forecasts be able to formulate weather disruption notes for stakeholders.
Maintain regular, consistent, and professional attendance, punctuality and adherence to relevant health and safety procedures.
Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) and database administration.
This is a new position to support the existing management team of Harbour Master and Deputy Harbour Master, to allow a specific focus on the service delivery and training of those employees under the pilotage umbrella in the department. Overall enhancing the safety of navigation within the port for the port users.
Reporting to the Deputy Harbour Master, the Pilotage Supervisor will supervise a team of Marine Pilots, Marine Support Staff, Coxswain and Deckhands and support the safe operation of the port’s pilot cutters and workboat.
The role will provide support the Harbour Master and Deputy Harbour Master in directing and coordinating the provision of a safe, cost effective and efficient service in the port that meets relevant statutory requirements for safe navigation.
The Pilotage Supervisor will support the safe and efficient conduct of navigation of vessels which request the services of an authorised pilot within the jurisdiction of the authority.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Chief Mate II/2 (unlimited) or equivalent
A full understanding of marine pilotage functions and the tasks performed is essential
Extensive working knowledge of the Port Marine Safety Code and its effective application.
Understanding of:
Pilotage
VTS
Vessel berthing and mooring
Ship handling characteristics
Charts/Surveying
Previous experience within a similar position or a relevant role within the Ports industry
Ability to prioritise workload to manage a dynamic marine environment.
Ability to engage and motivate a small team effectively
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders, both internal and external.
Understanding of meteorological terms and weather forecasts be able to formulate weather disruption notes for stakeholders.
Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) and database administration.
