Position Summary
The Port Master Planner will lead and support the planning, development, optimization, and expansion of ports and marine terminals. The role integrates port strategy, demand forecasting, terminal planning, marine access, cargo operations, landside infrastructure, logistics, and phased development planning to establish practical and commercially viable port master plans.
The Port Master Planner will work across feasibility studies, port development strategies, master plans, concept designs, business cases, and tender-stage assignments, coordinating closely with port authorities, terminal operators, shipping lines, engineering disciplines, economists, environmental specialists, and other stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
Port Master Planning
- Lead the preparation and review of port and terminal master plans for:
- Container terminals
- General cargo and multipurpose terminals
- Dry and liquid bulk terminals
- Ro-Ro and automotive terminals
- Ferry and passenger facilities
- Industrial and logistics ports
- Offshore and marine service facilities
- Develop port layouts covering marine and landside infrastructure, including:
- Navigation channels and approach areas
- Port entrances and breakwaters
- Turning basins and manoeuvring areas
- Berths, quay lines, jetties, and marine facilities
- Terminal yards and storage areas
- Cargo-handling and operational areas
- Port roads and rail infrastructure
- Gates and truck-processing facilities
- Warehousing and logistics areas
- Utility and support areas
- Port administration and ancillary facilities
- Develop short-, medium-, and long-term development strategies and phased implementation plans.
- Safeguard corridors and development areas required for future expansion.
Marine Planning
- Establish requirements for:
- Navigation channels
- Harbour entrances
- Turning circles and manoeuvring areas
- Anchorage areas
- Berth pockets
- Tug and pilot facilities
- Navigation aids
- Define design vessel fleets and future vessel requirements.
- Coordinate with navigation simulation, metocean, coastal engineering, dredging, and marine infrastructure specialists.
- Review vessel manoeuvring and navigation simulation studies and incorporate findings into master plans.
Terminal Planning
- Develop terminal concepts based on cargo type, throughput, vessel characteristics, operational philosophy, and available land.
- Evaluate alternative terminal configurations and cargo-handling systems.
- Develop equipment strategies considering systems such as:
- Ship-to-shore cranes
- RTGs and RMGs
- Automated stacking systems
- Reach stackers and terminal tractors
- Mobile harbour cranes
- Conveyors and bulk-handling systems
- Develop yard configurations, circulation patterns, operational zoning, and equipment interfaces.
- Consider automation, digitalization, and future technology requirements in terminal planning.
Deliverables
The Port Master Planner will lead or contribute to preparation of:
- Port master plans
- Terminal planning reports
- Development strategy reports
- Feasibility studies
- Capacity assessments
- Demand and capacity models
- Operational concepts
- Port and terminal layouts
- Development phasing plans
- Infrastructure requirements
- Design vessel assessments
- CAPEX inputs
- Option evaluation matrices
- Technical presentations
- Tender and proposal documentation
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Transport Planning, Maritime Engineering, Port Management, Logistics, or a related discipline.
- Master's degree in Port Planning, Maritime Engineering, Transport Planning, Logistics, Maritime Economics, or a related discipline is advantageous.
- Chartered Engineer, Chartered Transport Planner, or equivalent professional qualification is desirable.
Experience
- Typically 10–15+ years of relevant professional experience, with significant experience in port master planning, terminal planning, maritime infrastructure, or port operations.
- Demonstrable experience preparing master plans for major ports or marine terminals.
- Experience with multiple cargo sectors is advantageous.
- Strong understanding of both marine-side and landside port operations.
- Experience working with international port authorities, terminal operators, consultants, developers, or major contractors is desirable.
- Middle East/GCC port planning experience is advantageous.
Technical Knowledge
Strong knowledge of several of the following areas is expected:
- Port master planning principles
- Container and cargo terminal planning
- Berth and terminal capacity analysis
- Port operations and productivity
- Vessel characteristics and design fleets
- Navigation and marine access planning
- Cargo-handling equipment
- Yard planning and storage requirements
- Port road and rail systems
- Port logistics and hinterland connectivity
- Dredging and reclamation requirements
- Port development phasing
- CAPEX and development economics
- Port automation and digitalization
- Sustainability and decarbonization
Familiarity with relevant international guidance, including PIANC, UNCTAD, IMO, IAPH, BS/Eurocodes and applicable national and port authority requirements, is desirable.
