Port Superintendent

SUMMARY:
To manage and coordinate all port-side coal operations at Durban, ensuring the efficient offloading, stockpiling, and loading of third-party coal for export. The Port Superintendent plays a critical role in ensuring operational compliance, maintaining safety standards, and reconciling tonnages between deliveries and vessel loadings

POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities:
Port Operations Management

• Oversee coal deliveries from third-party mines to the port via road and rail, ensuring accurate offloading and correct stockpile allocation
• Manage and monitor vessel loading operations to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and adherence to contractual timelines and coal specifications

• Manage the process of all discrepancies and ensure the team rectifies

• Coordinate daily activities with ship agents, Transnet, surveyors, and terminal operators to optimise vessel turnaround and prevent demurrage
• Ensure correct application of loading instructions, blending plans, and sampling protocols

• Ensure non contamination of cargo by ensuring cargo is offloaded at correct stockpiles
• Develop operations processes to support movement of product forecasting

• Ensure proper stockpile and quality management at various sites in Durban
• Ensure combustion of stockpiles is adequately managed to counter burning of cargo
• Ensure stockpiles are kept a distance apart to eliminate any contaminations
• Ensure no contamination of coal takes place. Report any contamination of coal immediately

• Conduct daily reconciliations between received loads, weighbridge records, and shipped tonnages
• Identify and resolve discrepancies between mine dispatch figures, port stockpile volumes, and vessel outturns
• Work closely with internal teams to ensure accurate stock control and invoicing
• Ensure all load data, slips, and delivery documentation are captured and stored systematically

• Enforce health and safety protocols in accordance with company policies, Transnet Port Authority requirements, and legislative guidelines
• Conduct risk assessments, safety inductions, and toolbox talks for on-site team
• Monitor operations for unsafe behaviour or conditions and take corrective action
• Ensure investigations are held within 24 hours of incidents and contaminations. These to be recorded officially and kept on file
• Maintain incident logs, safety reports, and assist in investigations where necessary

• Ensure all Personnel working on site have done inductions and medicals kept on record

• Supervise port supervisors, flagmen, weighbridge operators, equipment handlers, and other service providers involved in port operations
• Monitor and evaluate contractor performance and escalate non-compliance or service delays
• Facilitate coordination between security, logistics, and external handling teams

• Submit daily and weekly operational reports, including vessel updates, cargo movement, and reconciliation summaries
• Maintain accurate documentation for audit trail purposes, including weighbridge slips, loading manifests, and quality certificates
• Support internal departments with required information for stock, billing, and reporting purposes

• Serve as the company’s lead representative at the port, ensuring professional communication with Transnet, TFR, warehouse and terminal staff
• Proactively address operational disruptions, quality claims, or delays with all relevant parties
• Represent the company in port operational meetings and contribute to improvement discussions

• Closely monitor and execute all instructions received from coal operations team. Work closely with the coal operations team to ensure seamless cargo delivery and exit

• Diploma or Degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, or related field (NQF Level 6+)
• Minimum 8 years’ experience in port, shipping, or coal logistics operations
• Experience in managing rail operations
• Proven experience in stock, load, and tonnage reconciliation
• Familiarity with coal sampling, handling equipment
• Strong understanding of HSE regulations and incident management protocols
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder coordination skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and operational reporting tools
• Willingness to work extended hours, weekends, or shifts based on vessel schedules