JOB DESCRIPTION

Head – Port Operations (LPG Handling & Marine Terminal Operations)

Position: Head – Port Operations
Department: Port / Marine Terminal Operations
Experience Required: Minimum 20 years of relevant professional experience
Level: Senior Management / General Management
Employment Type: Full-Time / Senior-Level Appointment
Preferred Candidates: Senior professionals from large oil and gas companies, LPG terminal operators, petroleum refineries, or port and marine terminal organisations, including suitably qualified retired executives.

1. Position Overview

The Head – Port Operations will be responsible for the overall management, supervision, coordination, and safe execution of port operations, with specific emphasis on LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) vessel berthing, unloading, transfer, storage, and associated terminal operations.

The candidate must possess extensive hands-on experience in LPG unloading operations at a port or marine terminal, supported by strong technical knowledge of marine interfaces, cargo transfer systems, pressurised and refrigerated LPG handling, terminal infrastructure, process safety, statutory compliance, and emergency response procedures.

The position requires a highly experienced skilled capable of independently managing complex terminal operations, leading multidisciplinary teams, coordinating with port authorities and vessel operators, and ensuring the highest standards of operational safety, reliability, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

Candidates with a distinguished career in senior operational roles in large oil companies, petroleum refineries, LPG import terminals, or similar organisations will be preferred. Retired senior executives with relevant technical expertise, proven operational leadership, and the physical and professional fitness to discharge the responsibilities are also encouraged to apply.

2. Key Responsibilities

A. LPG Vessel Unloading and Marine Operations

- Lead and supervise LPG vessel unloading operations at the port, ensuring safe, efficient, and uninterrupted cargo transfer.
- Possess comprehensive practical knowledge of LPG carrier operations, vessel berthing, mooring arrangements, ship-shore interface, and cargo discharge procedures.
- Oversee pre-arrival planning, berth readiness, vessel acceptance, pre-transfer checks, unloading schedules, and post-operation activities.
- Ensure proper coordination between the vessel's master and officers, port authorities, terminal personnel, pilots, tug operators, mooring teams, and other relevant agencies.
- Verify readiness of marine loading arms or hoses, transfer pipelines, valves, pumps, compressors, instrumentation, emergency shutdown systems, and associated equipment.
- Supervise ship-shore safety checklists, pre-transfer conferences, cargo transfer monitoring, and safe disconnection procedures.
- Ensure compliance with approved operating procedures, vessel-terminal compatibility requirements, and applicable international marine safety practices.
- Handle operational challenges, delays, abnormal conditions, and coordination issues arising during vessel unloading.

B. Technical Knowledge and Terminal Infrastructure

The candidate must have strong technical knowledge of the complete LPG import and handling system, including:

- LPG unloading systems, marine loading arms, cryogenic or suitable transfer hoses, manifolds, pipelines, and associated fittings.
- LPG transfer pumps, compressors, pressure-control systems, vapour-return arrangements, and relevant process equipment.
- Refrigerated, semi-refrigerated, or pressurised LPG storage systems, as applicable to the terminal.
- Storage tanks, pressure vessels, piping networks, isolation valves, safety valves, and pressure-relief systems.
- Instrumentation, process control systems, alarms, gas detection, fire detection, and emergency shutdown systems.
- Cargo measurement, quantity reconciliation, sampling, quality control, and inventory monitoring.
- Equipment inspection, preventive maintenance, breakdown management, and coordination with engineering and maintenance teams.
- Understanding of process flow diagrams, piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs;), operating manuals, technical specifications, and engineering drawings.

The candidate must be capable of evaluating operational readiness, identifying technical deficiencies, recommending corrective measures, and coordinating with engineering teams and external technical specialists.

C. Operational Planning and Execution

- Prepare and implement operational plans for vessel arrivals, berthing, LPG discharge, storage allocation, and onward transfer or dispatch.
- Coordinate terminal resources, manpower, equipment availability, maintenance schedules, and cargo-handling requirements.
- Establish operating procedures, checklists, reporting systems, and performance monitoring mechanisms.
- Ensure accurate cargo accounting, stock reconciliation, transfer documentation, and operational records.
- Monitor operational efficiency, vessel turnaround time, equipment utilisation, and avoidable delays.
- Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce operational costs, and optimise resource utilisation without compromising safety.
- Coordinate with commercial, logistics, procurement, engineering, finance, and management teams.

D. Health, Safety, Environment and Process Safety





- Maintain the highest standards of safety in LPG handling, a highly flammable and potentially hazardous operation.
- Implement and monitor the terminal's Health, Safety and Workplace (HSE) management systems.
- Ensure proper implementation of permit-to-work systems, hot-work controls, confined-space entry procedures, lockout/tagout, and job safety analysis, as applicable.
- Oversee hazard identification, risk assessments, HAZID/HAZOP recommendations, safety audits, and corrective-action closure.
- Ensure readiness and functionality of fire protection systems, firefighting equipment, gas detectors, emergency shutdown systems, and other critical safety barriers.
- Lead emergency preparedness planning, mock drills, incident investigation, root-cause analysis, and preventive-action implementation.
- Ensure compliance with applicable environmental standards, spill-prevention measures, waste-management procedures, and incident-reporting requirements.
- Promote a strong safety culture and ensure that no operational or commercial pressure overrides mandatory safety requirements.

E. Statutory and Regulatory Compliance

- Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, licences, approvals, and operating conditions governing port, marine terminal, LPG storage, and cargo-transfer activities.
- Coordinate with the relevant port authority, terminal regulators, petroleum and explosives safety authorities, customs, immigration, pollution-control authorities, and other statutory agencies, as applicable.
- Maintain statutory records, operating logs, inspection reports, safety documentation, equipment certification records, and compliance registers.
- Monitor the validity of required permits, licences, equipment certifications, and statutory inspections.
- Coordinate regulatory inspections and implement recommendations within prescribed timelines.
- Keep management informed of regulatory changes, operational risks, and compliance requirements.

F. Leadership and Team Management

- Lead the port operations team, including marine operations, terminal operations, shift personnel, safety staff, and technical support teams.
- Establish clear responsibilities, reporting structures, operating standards, and performance expectations.
- Train and mentor personnel in LPG handling, terminal procedures, emergency response, and operational discipline.
- Conduct operational reviews, safety meetings, performance assessments, and competency evaluations.
- Develop succession plans and ensure adequate availability of trained personnel for round-the-clock operations.
- Exercise sound judgement and provide decisive leadership during emergencies, operational disruptions, and critical situations.

G. Stakeholder and Management Coordination

- Act as the principal operational representative of the organisation in matters relating to LPG unloading and port operations.
- Maintain effective working relationships with port authorities, shipping companies, vessel agents, terminal operators, contractors, government agencies, and emergency services.
- Submit regular reports to senior management on operational performance, safety, vessel movements, cargo throughput, costs, incidents, and improvement initiatives.
- Provide technical advice to management on terminal capacity, infrastructure upgrades, equipment requirements, operational risks, and future expansion.
- Support project commissioning, operational readiness reviews, terminal modifications, and improvements to existing facilities, where required.

3. Essential Qualifications

- Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Marine Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, or another relevant engineering discipline.
- Candidates with equivalent senior-level technical qualifications and substantial, demonstrable LPG terminal operating experience may also be considered, subject to the role's statutory and technical requirements.
- Additional qualifications in process safety, industrial safety, marine operations, terminal management, or petroleum handling will be an advantage.

4. Experience Requirements

The candidate must satisfy the following essential experience criteria:

- Minimum 20 years of relevant professional experience, preferably in the oil and gas, petroleum refining, LPG import, or marine terminal industry.
- Significant senior-level experience in port or terminal operations, preferably in a large oil company or an established LPG import and handling facility.
- Direct, hands-on experience in LPG vessel unloading at a port or marine terminal is mandatory. General LPG distribution, bottling plant, road tanker, pipeline, or refinery experience alone will not be sufficient unless supported by relevant marine LPG unloading experience.
- Proven experience in managing vessel discharge operations, ship-shore interfaces, transfer systems, terminal infrastructure, and associated safety procedures.
- Demonstrated capability in handling operational emergencies, technical issues,



regulatory inspections, and multidisciplinary teams.
- Experience in leading a terminal, marine operations unit, LPG handling facility, or a comparable high-hazard industrial operation at a senior management level.

5. Preferred Candidate Profile

The organisation is particularly interested in candidates who have held senior positions such as:

- Head / General Manager – Port Operations
- Head – Marine Terminal Operations
- General Manager – LPG Terminal Operations
- Chief Manager / Senior Manager – LPG Import and Handling
- Terminal Manager – Oil and Gas / Petroleum
- Senior Marine Operations or Technical Operations Head

Candidates who have served in large oil and gas organisations, petroleum companies, refineries, LPG import terminals, or comparable industrial establishments will be preferred.

Retired professionals are welcome to apply if they possess the required LPG marine unloading experience, sound technical judgement, leadership capability, and the willingness and fitness to undertake a full-time operational leadership role. The quality and relevance of experience will take precedence over current employment status.

6. Required Competencies

The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

- In-depth technical understanding of LPG unloading and terminal operations.
- Strong operational judgement and the ability to make timely, safety-critical decisions.
- Excellent understanding of process safety and emergency management.
- Strong leadership, communication, coordination, and stakeholder-management skills.
- Ability to manage complex operations and resolve technical and logistical challenges.
- High standards of integrity, discipline, accountability, and regulatory compliance.
- Capability to work under pressure and remain available for critical operational requirements, including vessel arrivals, night operations, and emergencies.
- A practical, hands-on approach rather than an exclusively administrative or advisory orientation.

7. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Performance will be assessed against the following parameters:

- Safe and timely completion of LPG vessel unloading operations.
- Compliance with approved operating procedures and statutory requirements.
- Reduction in avoidable vessel turnaround delays and operational downtime.
- Reliability and availability of critical terminal equipment.
- Effective emergency preparedness and closure of safety audit observations.
- Accuracy of cargo accounting, inventory records, and operational reporting.
- Manpower productivity, operating-cost control, and resource utilisation.
- Training effectiveness, team performance, and stakeholder satisfaction.
- Timely implementation of operational improvements and management directives.

8. Employment Conditions

- Position: Full-time senior management appointment.
- Work Location: Port / LPG terminal location as specified by the organisation.
- Remuneration: Negotiable, commensurate with experience, qualifications, and the candidate's last or current senior-level responsibilities.
- Availability: Must be capable of attending to operational requirements beyond normal office hours, including vessel arrivals, shift coordination, and emergencies.
- Medical and fitness requirements: Must satisfy the applicable occupational fitness and safety requirements of the terminal.
- Reference and background verification: Previous employment, qualifications, relevant operational responsibilities, and skilled references will be verified.

9. Application Requirements

Interested candidates should submit:

- An updated résumé detailing their complete professional history.
- A summary of LPG vessel unloading and port operations handled, including the terminals and facilities involved.
- Details of previous employers, designations, reporting responsibilities, and the scale of operations managed.
- Details of experience with LPG carriers, marine transfer systems, storage facilities, safety systems, and emergency management.
- Current or last drawn remuneration and expected remuneration.
- Current employment status, availability to join, and willingness to undertake a full-time role.
- Details of relevant technical, safety, and professional certifications.

10. Selection Criteria

Selection will be based primarily on demonstrated direct experience in LPG vessel unloading and marine terminal operations, technical competence, safety leadership, senior-level operational responsibility, and the ability to manage the port's complete operational requirements.

Candidates will be evaluated through a detailed technical and operational interview, including discussion of actual LPG unloading assignments, ship-shore interface management, equipment readiness, process safety, emergency scenarios, and statutory compliance.

Important: Candidates without direct LPG vessel unloading experience at a port or marine terminal should not apply, regardless of their general experience in the oil, gas, petroleum, or LPG industry.

The organisation seeks a technically strong, experienced, and safety-oriented professional who can independently take charge of LPG port operations and ensure reliable, efficient, and compliant terminal performance.

Pay: ₹200,000.00 - ₹400,000.00 per month

Benefits:

- Cell phone reimbursement
- Commuter assistance
- Flexible schedule
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Provident Fund

Work Location: In person

📌 Head-Port operations (LPG handling & MarineTerminal opertions) (Mangalore)
🏢 EPITOME ENERGY
📍 Mangalore