Marine Vetting & Clearance Specialist

Role - Marine Vetting & Clearance Specialist

Location - Pune

Role & Responsibilities –

This role is critical to building Castrol’s independent marine capability, ensuring safe, compliant, and cost-efficient global supply.

You will ensure that all marine operations meet the highest standards of safety, compliance, and risk management through robust vetting and clearance processes.

You will act as the assurance backbone of Shipping Operations, governing vessel and terminal acceptance, sanctions compliance, and marine risk controls across all shipping activities.

In this role, you will assess vessel suitability, terminal compatibility, and voyage risks to ensure all movements meet internal standards, regulatory requirements, and industry guideline. You will work closely with Chartering and Voyage Operations teams to enable safe and efficient execution, while maintaining independent judgement on approvals and risk decisions.

This role requires strong technical expertise, sound judgement, and the ability to make risk-based decisions in time-sensitive operational environments.

Accountabilities –

1. Vessel & Terminal Vetting (Marine Assurance):

• Conduct detailed vetting assessments for vessels and marine terminals using recognised industry frameworks such as SIRE and CDI
• Evaluate vessel condition, inspection history, operational records, and risk indicators to resolve suitability
• Govern vessel and terminal acceptance decisions, ensuring only compliant and fit-for-purpose assets are approved
• Maintain consistency, rigour, and audibility in vetting and terminal acceptance processes

2. Clearance, Sanctions & Counterparty Compliance:

• Handle vessel, port, and cargo clearance activities across marine shipments
• Perform sanctions screening and counterparty due diligence in line with regulatory and internal requirements
• Coordinate approvals with internal teams and external participants to support timely execution
• Ensure compliance with trade sanctions, regulatory obligations, and internal governance standards

3. Marine Risk Assessment & Decision Support:

• Assess voyage-specific risks including route exposure, vessel suitability, terminal constraints, and geopolitical factors
• Provide independent, risk-based recommendations to support operational decision-making
• Raise high-risk scenarios and support mitigation planning where required
• Chip in to incident review and exception management to strengthen control effectiveness

4. Ship - Shore Compatibility & Operational Readiness:

• Validate vessel and terminal compatibility, including berth restrictions, handling capabilities, and operational constraints
• Ensure readiness for safe loading and discharge operations based on cargo and terminal requirements
• Support resolution of compatibility issues and operational constraints prior to shipment execution

5. Documentation, Regulatory & Cargo Compliance:

• Ensure completeness and accuracy of cargo documentation, approvals, and export/import clearances
• Align operations with regulatory and governmental requirements across geographies
• Support custody transfer and related documentation processes where applicable
• Maintain records to support audits, controls, and regulatory inspections

6. Governance, Standards & Continuous Improvement:

• Drive standardization of vetting and clearance processes across regions
• Maintain compliance with HSSE, marine assurance, and internal policy requirements
• Support integration with the Logistics Control Tower for visibility, reporting, and exception management
• Continuously improve vetting methodologies, tools, and decision frameworks based on operational learning

Required experience -

• 8 -12 years proven experience in marine vetting, clearance, or marine assurance within tanker, bulk, or liquid shipping environments
• Strong understanding of marine risk management, vessel vetting standards such as SIRE/CDI, and terminal acceptance processes
• Proven experience in vessel, port, and cargo clearance, including sanctions screening and counterparty due diligence
• Solid knowledge of maritime regulations, HSSE requirements, and global trade compliance frameworks
• Strong analytical capability and ability to make independent, risk-based decisions in time-sensitive operational environments
• Effective partner management skills across operations, HSSE, Legal, and external marine partners

Preferred experience-

• Experience in oil & gas, lubricants, or chemical shipping operations
• Familiarity with marine vetting and clearance systems such as SIRE, CDI, or equivalent platforms
• Experience working in global, multi-region shipping operations environments
• Exposure to TSA environments, transitions, or carve-out-related operating models
• Knowledge of ship–shore compatibility, cargo assurance, and terminal operations providers

You will work with – Collaborators

• Lead - Shipping Operations for governance, standards, and critical issue
• Regional Chartering & Voyage Operations Leads to enable safe and compliant execution
• HSSE, Legal, Compliance, and Procurement teams on risk, sanctions, and approved counterparties
• Digital and Logistics Control Tower teams for visibility, reporting, and exception management
• External collaborators including vetting agencies, ship owners, brokers, terminals, and marine service providers