1

Vessel Agent Jobs in Alabama (NOW HIRING)

Prepare and oversee adherence to cost budgets, both vessel specific and overhead for department ... Skilled as a Change Agent. (i.e. ability to model, influence and accelerate necessary and / or ...

Vessel Agent information

See Alabama salary details

$17.8K

$43.3K

$82.9K

How much do vessel agent jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for vessel agent in Alabama is $43,333.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32,559.00 and $44,821.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a vessel agent?

A Vessel Agent serves as the main point of contact for ships arriving at a port, ensuring smooth operations by coordinating with port authorities, customs, and service providers. They handle documentation, arrange necessary supplies, and facilitate crew changes while ensuring compliance with regulations. Their role is critical in minimizing delays and ensuring efficient port calls for shipping companies.

What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of a vessel agent?

As a Vessel Agent, your daily tasks include coordinating vessel arrivals and departures, arranging required services such as pilotage, towage, and provisioning, and ensuring that all customs and port documentation is completed accurately and on time. You will regularly liaise with shipowners, port authorities, stevedores, and other stakeholders to facilitate fast and efficient cargo operations. The role often requires resolving unexpected issues, such as schedule changes or documentation discrepancies, in a timely manner. This dynamic environment means you'll need to stay organized and be prepared to handle multiple vessels or clients simultaneously.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the vessel agent position, and why are they important?

Vessel Agents need in-depth knowledge of shipping operations, port regulations, and documentation, often supported by a background in maritime logistics or transportation. Familiarity with port management software, cargo tracking systems, and industry certifications (such as IMDG Code training) is common in the field. Excellent organizational skills, strong problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for this role. These capabilities ensure smooth vessel turnaround, regulatory compliance, and positive relationships with clients, port authorities, and crew.

What are popular job titles related to Vessel Agent jobs in Alabama?

For Vessel Agent jobs in Alabama, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Vessel Agent job openings in Alabama as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 92% In-person, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,333 per year, or $20.8 per hour.

Electrical Manager

Mobile, AL • On-site


Austal USA LLC
Manufacturing • 1 - 5K employees

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 38 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

290th of 495 rated machine equipment manufacturers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Respectful managers


Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago


Job description

REPORTS TO: Director of Production

SUPERVISES: All Electrical Department Personnel

AUTHORITIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Implement all production schedules, monitoring and maintain schedules through subordinate managers and supervisors, and explain and mitigate any variances in schedule.
  • Manage electrical installation on vessels under construction.
  • Proactively forecast Manning needs to meet schedule requirements and to manage production costs.
  • Prepare and oversee adherence to cost budgets, both vessel specific and overhead for department.
  • Assure conformity to quality and accuracy requirements; track and review areas of non-conformity and develop continuous improvement action plans.
  • Implement Lean Processes, Continuous Improvement and Root Cause analyses, insuring Foremen and Supervisors are actively involved.
  • Maintain project metrics (i.e. TAKT time, throughput and constraints) and daily update status boards
  • Implementation of 5S and survey reporting.
  • Prepare and maintain CPI cost bridge
  • Update and maintain EAC for each vessel under construction
  • Provide input and work with Production Control to develop and improve build strategies as an active participate in Project Kickoff and Lessons Learned meetings
  • Ensure timely response to clear Liens, CARS, Survey reports.
  • Generate Field Change Requests (FCR's), Work Package Variances (WPV's) and Request for Materials (RFMs)
  • Accountable for monitoring resource levels, distribution of resources to meet schedule demands, and assure that scrap levels are maintained at a minimal level.
  • Assure the maintenance of safe working practices and good housekeeping in all areas and ensures Austal's policies are being followed with respect to safety compliance.
  • Accountable for ensuring all Foremen under their control are complying to the Leadership Creed
  • Provide effective and timely feedback to Foreman regarding: Quality, Cost, Delivery, Safety,
  • Oversees all timesheets are processed and allocated daily
  • Review and recommend pay rates in conjunction with Foremen
  • Review and approve all department assessments (30, 60 and 90 day, annual and apprentices) and coach subordinate managers as to how to provide effective performance feedback.

QUALIFICATIONS / KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE:

  • Minimum of 10 years' experience in shipbuilding or comparable production manufacturing industry required.
  • 5 years Electrical experience required
  • 5 years of mid to upper level Management experience of a department of 150 + required,
  • Displays good working knowledge of planning and monitoring.
  • Excellent knowledge of scheduling required.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in CPI and SPI measures required
  • Knowledge of principles and standards of Earned Value Management System preferred
  • Strong knowledge of project scheduling methodologies and reporting , including manning requirements, effect of late starting tasks, late finishing tasks, 60 day look ahead and physical percent complete.
  • Knowledge of Lean Methods and experience implementing these methods.
  • Skilled as a Change Agent. (i.e. ability to model, influence and accelerate necessary and / or meaningful changes to work processes with the facility to manage toward a desired end result.)
  • US Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization is required

SAFETY

  • Ensure a safe working environment is maintained for all employees.
  • Provide and implement safety solutions for any safety insufficiencies.

TOOLS: None

DIRECTION EXERCISED:

  • Full discretionary authority to provide work direction to Production staff directly and through subordinate managers.

DISCRETION EXERCISED:

  • Full discretionary authority to establish and hold accountable for meeting performance standards.
  • Full discretionary authority to correct and discipline, recommend discharges and transfers, and resolve employee issues and concerns.

.

LIAISES WITH: Other department Managers, Foremen, Supervisors, Production employees, Project Management, Suppliers, Class Surveyors and technical authorities

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Must be able to tour all vessels and work sites.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb and balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit.

Specific physical requirements include the following:

1. Must have the ability to bend, squat, stoop, crawl, and kneel.

2. Perform prolonged standing.

3. Ability to turn head from side to side and about the vertical axis.

4. Ability to turn body at the waist from side to side and about the vertical axis.

5. Lift/push/pull 50lbs to 75lbs on an occasional basis.

6. Lift/push/pull up to 20lbs on a frequent basis.

7. Must have the ability to climb in a safe manner (climbing as a minimum includes stairs, scaffolding, ladders, and ramps).

8. Ability to work at heights above 12' while working from ladders, scaffolding and/or man lifts.

9. Able to work at a variety of levels (ex. waist, eye, overhead).

10. Demonstrate the ability to safely and appropriately use required tools and equipment.

11. Demonstrate good balance while working on uneven surfaces and maneuvering obstacles.

12. Possess sufficient handgrip and coordination to carry and operate tools and equipment.

13. Ability to utilize personal protective equipment (hard hat, safety glasses, steel-toes shoes, goggles, respirator, safety harness, safety line, flotation gear, etc.) safely per OSHA standards.

14. Ability to withstand cold and hot temperatures.

15. Ability to enter 18" x 36" openings and work in confined spaces for prolonged periods of time.

16. Able to respond to verbal and audible sounds/commands.

17. Able to utilize adequate visual skills.

18. Ability to fully extend the arm while reaching overhead, reaching out, reaching to the side and reaching down.

19. Ability to perceive attributes of an object/material such as size, shape, temperature and texture by means of receptors in the hands and fingers.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters whole performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, high precarious places, outside weather conditions, and extreme heat. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes and/or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and heat and cold. The noise level in the work environment is usually very loud.

SAFETY

Must comply with company, federal, state, and local safety and environmental rules and regulations while performing daily job tasks.

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES:

  • Candidates must meet the following employment eligibility guidelines to be considered for employment with Austal USA:
  • 18 years of age or older at time of application
  • Able to provide proof of US Person Status
  • No felony convictions of Theft/Deception or Violent crimes within seven years from disposition date
  • No felony convictions of Drug crimes within three years from disposition date
  • Willing to submit to a drug screen
  • Willing to submit to a background check

Equal Employment Commitment

Any qualified individual with a disability who is having difficulty in completing an application because of incompatible technology or other disability-related application issues may contact us at the following phone number for assistance: 251-445-1932.

Austal's commitment to equal employment opportunity applies at all levels of employment, in all job titles, including the executive level, and to all employment actions, including but not limited to decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, training, and promotion.



What Austal USA employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom