Pieter Staes

Chartering & Freight Manager met 20 jaar ervaring, zowel in België als in het buitenland.

March 2017 – Present                                                               Conti-Lines Group

                                                                                                 Antwerp, Belgium

Chartering Manager

Please find comprehensive job description below (May 2006 – July 2014)

August 2014 – February 2017                                  Koch Fertilizer Trading SARL

                                                                                             Geneva, Switzerland

Chartering Manager - Freight Trader

- Develop a global supply/demand POV on the dry bulk freight market with focus on key fertiliser shipping markets 

-Strive for providing most accurate and realistic freight indications to the traders and ultimately contract the best achievable freight rate for the company through single Voyage Charters or Contracts of Affreightment (COA’s).

- Apply the company’s global POV to develop a 3rd party freight book:

• Use intra-company backhaul cargoes to position period ships into profitable markets.
• Rate and fix 3rd party forward cargoes and charter in supramax/ultramax tonnage for single trips and/or period. 
• Conclude Forward Freight Agreements (FFA’s) as a hedge for physical positions or basis speculation.

-Supervise, lead and mentor the Operations team in Geneva and Singapore:

• Set a good example on the company culture & compliance; provide real time feedback to continue the team’s development.
• Encourage excellence in operations and focus on developing strengths in order for the team to reach best possible outcome.

May 2006 – July 2014                                                               Conti-Lines Group

                                                                                                 Antwerp, Belgium

Chartering Manager

- Monitor the Dry Bulk Shipping Market and maintain a thorough understanding of spot and period market rates for handysize/supramax vessels.

- Charter in- and out vessels and/or cargoes on short or long term contracts as required by the company: 

• Search market for suitable employment for the company’s commercially managed vessels, evaluate same and on consultation with management negotiate and finalise the appropriate charter party agreement.
• Market the company’s cargo requirements. Evaluate potential candidates to lift same. Negotiate and finalise suitable charters accordingly.
• Look for opportunities for the company to contract more cargoes or charter more ships. Evaluate same for recommendation, consideration or discussion with management.
• Find and develop relations with shipbrokers, ship owners, charterers, and potential partners.
• Upon fixing, check recaps and initiate post fixture protocol: send notices, instructions to agents and/or counter parties and/or ship’s Master as necessary.
• Liaise with other intra-Group commercial departments to avoid conflicts and to exploit opportunities occurring to the mutual benefit of Group companies.
• Represent and promote the company at shipping events and on business trips.

January 2003 – May 2006                        Belgian Overseas Chartering & Shipping 

                                                                                                 Antwerp, Belgium

Operations Manager

- Oversee all the operational and post fixture activities of the company.

- As required, undertake all post fixture and operational functions for all vessels or cargo fixtures- including but not limited to:

• Appointment of agents
• Sending voyage instructions to Masters
• Arranging all bunkering requirements for the company’s fleet.
• Nomination to P&I club of vessels fixed and assist in yearly P&I Club renewals 
• Notification of voyages to voyage performance monitoring suppliers.
• Ensure that database is updated with necessary itineraries, estimates, voyage and other expenses and income.
• Ensure that hire and/or freight payments are correctly paid and/or received in accordance with charter party terms.
• Raise lay time statements, hire including final hire statements as required.
• Raise, or instruct payment, for all voyage related invoices as applicable.

2000-2003                                                           Katholieke Hogeschool Kempen

                                                                                                Turnhout, Belgium

Bachelor in Business Administration

January 2002 - May 2002                                  Central Ostrobothnia Polytechnic 

                                                                                                  Kokkola, Finland

3-month Erasmus exchange program