Cargo Terminal Facility Coordinator Career

CARGO TERMINAL FACILITY COORDINATOR

Cargo Terminal Facility Coordinator

Cargo terminal facility coordinators are responsible for all the clerical needs within the terminal. Click Here

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At a container terminal facility a stevedore is responsible for the loading and unloading of ships. Click Here

Gantry Container Crane Operator

Gantry container crane operators are responsible for efficiently loading and unloading containers at the terminal. Click Here

Marine Engineer

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Truck Driver

A truck driver works to transport freight safely and efficiently between two locations. Click Here

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Working with architects and community groups, urban planners plan how land will be used in the future. Click Here

Transport Supervisor

Transport supervisors work to ensure that customers who need goods transported, receive the most effective service. Click Here

Security Coordinator

A security coordinator at a port protects people, transport, property and assets from unlawful interference. Click Here

Ship Agent

While a ship is in port, a Ship Agent represents the interests of the ship’s owner or operator, or the cargo’s owner. Click Here

Ship Planner

A ship planner plans and coordinates the loading and unloading each container ship in port. Click Here

Yard Leading Hand

A yard leading hand leads a team who ensure the safe and efficient handling of local and imported new vehicles Click Here

Chef

A chef is responsible for the preparation, cooking and presentation of food in a variety of commercial settings. Click Here

Sustainability Officer

Sustainability officers provide expert advice to help organisations conduct their activities in a sustainable manner. Click Here

Environmental Officer

Environmental officers work with organisations, governments and communities and provide expert advice. Click Here

Vehicle Spray Painter

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Contract Administration Officer

Contract administration officers provide support for engineers working on projects developing infrastructure. Click Here

QUICK LINKS

A cargo terminal facility coordinator at a facility which handles break bulk, containers and imported motor vehicles, is responsible for organising all the clerical functions that relate to all the cargo that passes through the terminal.

What does a cargo terminal facility coordinator do?

Are you an organiser and problem solver who pays attention to detail?

Do you like the idea of working in a constantly changing environment where the unexpected is always there to challenge you?

The aim of the cargo terminal facility coordinator is to make sure that all cargo passing through the terminal is handled efficiently so that it reaches its destination on time. To ensure efficiency the facility coordinator works with a range of industry groups including Australian Customs, Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS), stevedores, and shipping lines.

For all imported goods the facility coordinator must make sure that :

AQIS procedures are carried out eg. Giant African Snail and soil inspections
all import duties have been paid to Australian Customs

For all exported goods the facility coordinator must make sure that:

they have been taken by truck to be x-rayed by Austrlaian Customs before they can be loaded on to the ship.

For both imports and exports, the facility coordinator must keep track of:

all payments due to the stevedores handing the goods on the wharf, and make sure these are paid.

Other tasks include:

organising inspections of the used cars imported into Australia
tracking all the goods and vehicles in transit at the cargo terminal
organising logistical operations eg. collecting empty containers from different locations and bringing them to the wharf.

CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS & CHALLENGES

Achievements & highlights

A facility coordinator at a cargo terminal handing motor vehicles has the advantage of seeing a vast range of cargo arriving from, and leaving for, destinations all over the world, and many have a story. For example:

a semi-trailer being shipped to Demark to be converted into a generator before being shipped to Iraq to power a whole town
motor-homes belonging to people driving around the world
cars competing in the world rally championships.

The variety of cargo means different procedures, and this means being able to help people through the processes.

Challenges

A challenging part of the role can occur when people do not follow the procedures correctly and become frustrated as a result.

A less exciting part of the job can be when transhipment cars arrive on the wharf. The cars will be on the wharf a short time before they are loaded on another ship and move to another destination. This involves a great deal of counting.

QUALIFICATION & ADVICE

Job prospects

A facility coordinator has to opportunity to move into a number of exciting roles eg:

Shipping superintendent – plans berthing of ships and use of the cargo yard
Cargo terminal manager – oversees all operations, and the health and safety of the workforce.
Management roles at a shipping line or in logistics, customs broking or freight forwarding.

What to study at school

IT is invaluable for the range of technologies you will encounter daily.
Business Studies provides a general background which is helpful.
Maths for the numeracy skills vital for understanding the financial aspect of facility coordination.
English provides written and oral skills and the reasoning and comprehension skills needed to understand documents and procedures.