Vessel Operator (Panamax)
Why explore
• An exciting Role in Rio Tinto’s World Class Shipping Division.
• A leading Dry Bulk Shipper transporting more than 300 million tonnes of product annually. Operating with an unwavering Commitment to Safety and Crew Welfare.
• Based in India, Gurugram, managing worldwide Marine Voyage Operation for Rio Tinto
About the role
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Vessel Operator to manage the day-to-day commercial voyage operations of both time-chartered and voyage-chartered Panamax and Post Panamax dry bulk vessels. In this pivotal position, you will ensure strict adherence to Charter Party agreements and coordinate closely with multiple departments—including Chartering, Marine, Legal, Insurance, and others—to facilitate seamless operations.
Reporting to the Supervisor, Panamax and Handy Operations, your key responsibilities will include:
Safety: Operating voyages in compliance with contractual obligations, organisational safety standards, and vetting requirements. Identify, assess, and mitigate operational risks (weather routing, port restrictions, congestion, vetting issues, cargo quality, documentation risks, geopolitical disruptions).
Voyage Management: Supervising vessel voyages by ensuring compliance with charter party terms, managing loading and discharge activities, and optimizing voyages for cost efficiency and operational effectiveness.
Stakeholder Communication: Maintaining clear, timely communication with ship owners, charterers, brokers, port agents, and other stakeholders to support efficient operations and promptly address any concerns. Work with Vetting and Marine Assurance team and assist in conducting safety survey of vessels. Actively manage incidents arising onboard the vessels for proper close out by Owners
Documentation and Compliance: Preparing and processing all required documentation, including voyage instructions, Stow plans, Bunker and Cargo documentation in full accordance with industry regulations and company policies.
Optimise PnL of the voyages: Monitoring market trends, freight rates, and sector developments relevant to dry bulk shipping; to ensure voyages are capitalized for commercial opportunities. Analyzing key vessel performance metrics—such as fuel consumption, speed, and cargo handling efficiency—to uncover areas for operational improvement and cost reduction.
About you
To be successfully considered for this role, you will have:
• A Degree/Diploma in Marine or a related field.
• At least 3 years of experience in a bulk ship operator role.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with clients, vessel owners, and internal stakeholders.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills to assess performance, identify variances, and make data driven decisions.
• Sound negotiation skills.
• A good team player.
• Good problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt quickly to changing operational conditions.
• Knowledge of maritime safety regulations, environmental standards, and best practices in vessel operations.
What we offer
Be recognised for your contribution, your thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress.
• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
• A safety-focused and inclusive working environment
• Career development to further your ambitions
• Competitive salary package
• Ongoing individual wellbeing support
• Exciting multicultural working environment
About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminium, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive.
We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs – striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win situations and meet opportunities.
Respect and Inclusion
At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, women, the LGBTQ+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds.
We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different.
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Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminum, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive.
We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs—striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win and meet opportunities.
At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, women, the LGBTQ+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities, and people from different cultural backgrounds.
We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable being themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes us who we are.
Start your application
Take your leadership career to the next level.
Where can Rio Tinto take you?
You’re passionate and ambitious with tremendous career aspirations. The breadth and growth of our organisation empowers you to define your ideal career path.
Take a look at Katie’s career journey
Take a look at Katie’s career journey
- 2022 - PresentManager Projects - Energy DevelopmentBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
- 2021Superintendent Operations CentreBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
- 2020Development / Drill and Blast SuperintendentPilbara, Western Australia
- 2019Deputy Quarry ManagerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2018Development SupervisorPilbara, Western Australia
- 2017Senior Engineer of Drill, Blast and SurveyPilbara, Western Australia
- 2016Production EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2015Mine scheduler - 2 week plannerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2014Drill and Blast EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2012Graduate Mining EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2022 – PresentManager Projects – Energy DevelopmentBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
- 2021Superintendent Operations CentreBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
- 2020Development / Drill and Blast SuperintendentPilbara, Western Australia
- 2019Deputy Quarry ManagerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2018Development SupervisorPilbara, Western Australia
- 2017Senior Engineer of Drill, Blast and SurveyPilbara, Western Australia
- 2016Production EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2015Mine scheduler – 2 week plannerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2014Drill and Blast EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2012Graduate Mining EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
Working at Rio Tinto
Help us deliver the materials that make human progress possible.
The plane you’re flying in just landed. You fire up your phone and get your laptop out of the overhead bin. Immediately, you’re in work mode – thousands of miles from your office. Do you ever stop to think about all the materials that make life in the 21st century possible? At Rio Tinto, we discover, develop and deliver the materials that drive human progress. When you work with us, you’ll experience advantages you won’t find anywhere else.
Working in a technical role at Rio Tinto
Your advanced expertise will help drive human progress.
We’ve developed technical capabilities through nearly 150 years of discovering, planning, and operating mines in every corner of the world. We’re an open, connected international team of technical specialists using some of the most sophisticated tools and robust data on the planet. Join us and experience:
Our application process
01
Apply
The first thing you’ll need to do is apply to the role. You can do this with your LinkedIn profile or you can upload your resume. We’ll also ask you to complete a few questions before you submit your application.
02
Undergo assessments
Our assessments are designed to help us work out whether you are suitable for the role. We will let you know which ones you’ll need to complete.
03
Interview(s)
Our interviews could be in person or online. It’s a great opportunity for us to get to know you a bit better, answer any of your questions and talk about the exciting career opportunity you have applied for.
04
Offers and checks
At this stage, we will let you know if you have been successful. If you have been, we’ll need to conduct a couple of checks, such as a background or security check. You may also need to do a medical assessment depending on the role you have applied for.
05
Join the Rio Tinto team
Once the checks have been completed, we’ll be in touch to talk with you about your start date and answer any questions you may have before you start with us.