Boarding Agent

Could you be our new Boarding Agent?

• Location: Bellingham, WA. Office
• Reporting to: Port Manager
• Department/team: Shipping - Operations
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Travel requirements: Daily travel to work
• Key Tech/Tools: MS Office365, Microsoft products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and GACShip, which will be learned on the job

• Coordinate vessel arrivals, port stays, and departures, working directly with pilots, terminals, agents, and government authorities to ensure smooth execution
• Act as the main point of contact for assigned vessel calls, keeping owners, operators, and internal teams updated on status, changes, and key events
• Attend vessels as required and handle all operational matters in line with company procedures and port requirements
• Prepare and manage Disbursement Accounts and maintain awareness of port call costs throughout execution
• Ensure all documentation is completed accurately and on time
• Maintain accurate and timely updates in GAC systems to reflect vessel status, costs, and services
• Coordinate and follow up on ship’s requirements, vendor services, and any requests from the Master or operator
• Support timely job close-out by ensuring all services are captured and jobs are ready for billing
• Ensure full compliance with port regulations, QHSSE standards, and company policies at all times

This is your chance to become part of the global GAC team, which has been providing professional shipping, logistics, and marine services since 1956. Everything we do is guided by the GAC Spirit, built on mutual loyalty between management and staff, and a belief in the value of our people as individuals - not just for the jobs they do.

With more than 7,500 colleagues in 300 strategically located offices in more than 50 countries around the world, we focus on quality, safety, and sustainability with a human touch. Emphasizing a long-term approach, innovation and ethics, our flexible and integrated portfolios are designed to work within and support our customers’ operations.

Role Summary

The Boarding Agent is responsible for managing day-to-day vessel operations from pre-arrival through departure and close-out. This includes coordinating with port authorities, terminals, and service providers, ensuring all regulatory requirements are met, and keeping customers and stakeholders fully informed throughout the port call.

The role requires strong ownership of each job, including cost awareness, documentation, system updates, and timely job closure. You will be expected to operate independently, make decisions in real time, and ensure each port call is executed safely, efficiently, and without delay.

Note: The candidate is expected to comply with the GAC Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) Policy and GAC HSSE Manual procedures that emphasize industrial and personal safety and environmental precautions. Shortlisted candidates will be subject to a background check that includes drug and alcohol screening.

• Eligible to work in the United States

Please note that, as well as working to recruit staff members via GAC channels, GAC does use third-party recruiters to recruit for specific positions within the Group. Please do, however, be aware of unaffiliated recruiters purporting to represent GAC that ask for payment in return for facilitating interviews. A genuine third-party recruiter working with GAC will never ask for payment to facilitate an interview. If you would like to make an application to join GAC, please always ensure to apply through our official channels on https://career.gac.com

Job Requirements

What are we looking for:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; higher education or relevant certifications are a plus.
• Experience in a maritime, shipping agency, port operations, or logistics environment strongly preferred.
• Strong operational mindset — able to manage multiple vessel activities, coordinate with port authorities, and keep jobs moving without delays.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to maintain accurate records, complete documentation, and support billing processes
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, 24/7 environment with changing vessel schedules and priorities.
• Confident communicator — able to work with vessel crews, owners/operators, and port authorities while keeping all parties informed.
• Proactive and solutions-driven — takes ownership of assigned vessel calls and resolves issues as they arise without waiting for direction.
• Willing and able to work in a port environment, including boarding vessels and working outdoors in varying conditions, with required PPE.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications; comfortable learning internal systems.

• Communication - able to manage correspondence with other port agents, vendors, and clients across multiple time zones and cultures with confidence and accuracy.
• Organizational Skills - Able to manage multiple vessel calls and client accounts simultaneously without losing track of deadlines, documentation, or follow-ups.
• Problem-Solving - Calm and resourceful when disruptions arise whether a delayed vessel, a vendor issue, or a last-minute client request and finding solutions quickly and keeping all parties informed.
• Adaptability - Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment where priorities can shift with little notice.
• Customer Service Orientation - Genuinely committed to delivering a responsive, professional experience to clients and understanding that in this industry, reliability builds long-term relationships.
• Team Collaboration - Works effectively across GAC offices, agent networks, and internal teams, contributing to a culture of shared accountability and mutual support.

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• On-the-job training
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance