Manli Zhang

An experienced cargo and ship operator with strong passion and solid hands-on experiences on crude operations, with expertise on crude quality from different regions, terminal information, STS operations, quality monitoring and loss control, crude oil blending on board floating storages and in shore tanks. An operator with strong initiative to learn and grow, the drive to take up new challenges and excel, proven track record of building trust among peer operators, stakeholders and external counterparties, pro-active approach with problem-solving, as well as the ability to identify risk and opportunity in complex operational circumstances and deliver commercial value add.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES                                                               

CHEMCHINA (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD                                                                                                          Oct 2013- Present

Achievements

• Operations team successfully claim up to 5 million USD from cargo insurance and counterparties on cargo loss;
• Jointly drove optimization with shipping team saving up to 10 million USD on operational cost; 
• In charge of crude oil blending across up to 2 floating storages (672,000 cubic meters) for over 5 years, safeguarding blending ratio, optimizing inventory level, quantity loss control and transport economics.

Head of Operations (Crude oil, Condensate, Fuel oil operations Oct 2020- Present)

• Support and influence on contract negotiation and deal structure development;
• Continue hands on daily operations with new counterparties, new grades and with complex structure;
• Close monitor on quality and quantity loss control;
• Ensure all operations activities were conducted in compliance with relevant HSE and operating standards;
• Provide market information to the traders as necessary;

Operations Manager (Crude oil, Condensate, Fuel oil operations Apr 2017- Sept 2020)

• Coordinated closely with traders, charterers, risk and finance departments to provide assurance on trading process, making sure every deal was executed to the best commercial advantage with all contractual obligations met; 
• Contributed to the improvement of processes and developing of best practices to support trading strategy;
• Provided coaching, guidance and support to operators and traders in headquarter and overseas offices;
• Solved various kinds of disputes, ie. high loss, force majeure, general average, insurance and demurrage claims, etc;
• Continued in charge of floating storage blending and shore storage operations and daily operations;
• Arranged inter-companies’ transactions and assisted on refineries’ financing requirements.

Operations (Crude oil, Condensate, Fuel oil operations Oct 2013- Mar 2017)

• Pioneer batch to set up operations procedures, performed trade finance role concurrently in the first half year;
• Managed 10-20 deals simultaneously with tight critical timelines and challenging operational issues, in charge of supply and trading barrels lifted from Far East, Middle East, West Africa, South and North America, Regional, etc;
• Responsible for end-to-end cargo operations including but not limited to contracts, credit, inspections, settlement, insurance and claims, aiming to achieve operations performance timeliness, accuracy, efficiency and integrity;
• Prepared tenders, reviewed contracts for short-term spot deals as well as long-term and storage deals, ensuring that the company’s financial and legal interests were protected and that all operational aspects and obligations of purchases and sales agreements were adhered to;
• Ensured that all operational data was updated into trading systems in timely and accurate manner.

PTT INTERNATIONAL TRADING PTE LTD                                                                                              Aug 2010- Oct 2013

Trade Operations (Crude, Condensate)

• Maximized operational optimizations and created operational options for traders that increase profit, minimize operational cost;
• Processed contracts and letter of credit, liaised with suppliers and receivers on cargo and vessel nomination, prepared Documentary Instruction, appointed inspectors/ expeditors, performed price calculation and confirmation; 
• Prepared voyage orders on VLCC, Suezmax, Aframax and MR tankers, monitored movement of vessels, resolved operational problems timely, minimized demurrage cost and all operations-related costs; 
• Planned and optimized lifting volume and date range with producers on crude production field, ensuring no tank top situation and maximizing the margin; 
• Managed the scheduling and maximized utility of floating storages;
• Updated Trading system in timely manner and kept adequate records for future usage;
• Ensured adequate cargo insurance coverage and handled insurance claims; 
• Assisted traders to monitor and reported monthly crude desk’s profit and loss.

SK SHIPPING (S) PTE LTD                                                                                                                           Jun 2008- Aug 2010

Tanker Operations Executive (Product and Chemical tankers)

• Operated up to 10 vessels as disponent owner, ensured each Charter Party going on well with minimal delay, took pro-active actions when problem arose; 
• Liaised with all players in the shipping market, making sure that all necessary operational information was communicated in timely and clear manner, records were well kept in the system. 

CARGILL ASIA PACIFIC HOLDINGS PTE LTD                                                                                           Nov 2007- Jan 2008

Operation Associate (Internship)

• Familiarized with vessel operations procedures, respective responsibilities of vessel operators, charterers and traders; 
• Assisted with post fixtures and received positive feedback. 

EDUCATION SUMMARY AND CERTIFICATION                                                               

Nanyang Technological University of Singapore                                                                               Aug 2010- May 2012

• Master of Science in Maritime Studies                   

Nanyang Technological University of Singapore                                                                               Aug 2004- May 2008

Bachelor of Science in Maritime Studies. Honours. (Singapore Ministry of Education Scholarship)