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(Shipping Traffic Coordinator, Vessel Operations Manager, Vessel Operations Supervisor, Shipping Operations Coordinator)
Transport & Logistics
Salary
€32,000 - €70,000/yr
Level
Professional
Outlook
Stable
Sector
Transport & Logistics
As a Vessel Operations Coordinator you manage the day-to-day scheduling, administration, and performance of vessels on behalf of Irish ferry operators, shipping agencies, or offshore service companies. You coordinate cargo and passenger loading and unloading, monitor vessel transit, and ensure that all certifications, crew licences, and passports are current and compliant with national and international maritime regulations. You liaise closely with port authorities, customs officials, cargo clients, and onboard crews to resolve operational issues and optimise turnaround times. At the customer-facing level, you follow up on complaints, identify new commercial opportunities, and propose practical solutions to keep freight and passenger services running smoothly and on schedule.
Listen: a day as a Vessel Operations Coordinator
Your alarm goes off at 06:15 in Rosslare Harbour. By 06:45 you are at your desk in the shipping agency office, logging into the vessel management system to check the overnight position reports for the two ro-ro ferries your company handles. One is already approaching the harbour entrance, slightly ahead of schedule; the other is still mid-Irish Sea. You pull up the pre-arrival notification that the master filed the previous evening and cross-check it against the port authority's berth allocation for the morning. At 07:30 you radio the berthing master to confirm fender positioning and expected mooring time. When the first vessel ties up at 07:55, you are on the quayside with a clipboard and a hi-vis vest, watching the ramp come down. You liaise with the Revenue customs officer on duty about a consignment of refrigerated goods flagged for documentary checks, and you ring the cargo client to warn them of a possible thirty-minute delay.
A Level 6 Higher Certificate or Level 7 Ordinary Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Shipping, or Port and Transport Management from a technological university such as TU Dublin, ATU, or SETU provides a strong foundation. Relevant Leaving Certificate subjects include Mathematics, Business, Geography, and a modern language, as international communication and numeracy are central to the role. A QQI Level 5 or 6 PLC award in Logistics, Freight Management, or Business Administration can offer an alternative entry route, particularly combined with relevant work experience in a shipping or freight environment. Some employers value professional development through bodies such as the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) or the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), which offers accredited programmes and membership. No statutory registration body governs this occupation, but maintaining knowledge of IMO regulations, SOLAS conventions, and Irish Marine Notice requirements is essential. Continuous professional development is expected as maritime legislation and environmental standards evolve.
Most people enter this role as a junior operations or shipping administrator, often with a Level 6 or 7 qualification, gaining hands-on experience in vessel scheduling, documentation, and customer liaison within a ferry company, freight forwarder, or shipping agency. With three to five years of experience you can progress to a senior coordinator or operations supervisor role, taking responsibility for a specific fleet, route, or cargo segment. Further advancement leads to roles such as Port Operations Manager, Fleet Manager, or Commercial Manager, particularly in larger organisations such as Irish Ferries, Stena Line, or Doyle Shipping Group. Completing a Level 9 postgraduate award in Maritime Law, Logistics, or Supply Chain Management, or achieving CILT chartership, can accelerate progression into strategic and leadership positions.
AI-powered vessel management platforms and predictive scheduling tools are increasingly automating routine tasks such as cargo load optimisation, route planning, and maintenance forecasting, reducing manual administrative workload for coordinators. However, the core of the role — negotiating with clients, assessing real-time risk, managing regulatory compliance, and handling complex operational disruptions — continues to require human judgement and interpersonal skill. Coordinators who are comfortable working with digital fleet management systems and data analytics dashboards will be at a competitive advantage as adoption of these tools accelerates across the Irish maritime sector. Overall, AI is likely to augment rather than replace the role, shifting focus towards higher-level decision-making and customer management.
→ Vessel Operations Coordinator (Current role)
Organisations in Ireland that employ people in this occupation.
Dublin City, Dublin Port
Coordinate passenger and freight vessel schedules on Irish Sea routes.
Dublin Port and Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford
Manage vessel operations and cargo/passenger loading across Irish Sea.
Dublin Port, Dublin 1
Oversee vessel scheduling, berth allocation, and port compliance activities.
Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford
Coordinate ferry operations and compliance on Ireland-France routes.
Foynes, Co. Limerick
Coordinate bulk cargo vessel arrivals, departures, and port administration.
Cork City and Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork
Manage vessel movements, berth scheduling, and maritime regulatory compliance.
Cork and Dublin
Coordinate ship agency services, vessel scheduling, and cargo operations.
Dublin and Cork
Provide vessel husbandry, crew logistics, and port operations coordination.
Cork Harbour, Co. Cork
Coordinate offshore support vessel operations servicing Irish energy sector.
Arklow, Co. Wicklow
Schedule and administer coaster fleet vessel operations across European ports.
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