A day in the life of Amy Harwood, Port Management Graduate, Commercial Placement
Amy Harwood is the Port Management Graduate for the Port of Southampton and is currently on a placement within the Commercial team. She started her graduate scheme in October 2023 and has gained experience in Landside Operations, including Stevedores, Shift Technicians, Maintenance Engineers; Marine Operations, including Pilots, VTS, Hydrography, Marine Compliance and Management, as well as the London Office functions such as strategy, communications, and PR. Amy is currently working with the Commercial Team and is learning how this team integrates customer requirements with operations to ensure a positive customer experience.
Amy, what is your role at ABP Southampton?
My current role involves supporting, absorbing, and learning from the Commercial Team. The Commercial Team plays a crucial role in the Port's operations, responsible for coordinating with various business areas to ensure smooth operations. I find it really interesting, as I have been fortunate to be placed in business areas where I can now see how the Commercial Team links everything together. This includes generating quotes, agreeing on commercial terms, and working with both marine and landside teams to ensure berth space and resources to support operations. During my three-month placement, I have my own projects to work on, which include market analysis, reviewing shipping routes, supporting an ongoing film production enquiry, learning how to quote for project cargo, and managing our CRM system for the region. Working with the Commercial team has been a great opportunity to gain a wider perspective of the complexity of port logistics, particularly when handling third party involvement.
Which sector has the most significant demand?
The automotive sector is thriving. Over the past three months, I've seen six brand-new car carrier vessels arriving at the port. Each vessel can carry up to 7000 vehicles and uses LNG dual-fuel technology. We currently have thousands of vehicles stored at the port and recognise the importance of expanding ABP Solent Gateway to accommodate the growing demand for vehicle storage. Understanding the commercial agreements, third-party involvement, and the resources required for these operations has given me a newfound appreciation for the scale of this industry.
What does an average day look like for you?
I typically start my day around 8:00 a.m. and carefully plan each day. I am enthusiastic about meeting our customers and frequently participate in meetings with one of the commercial managers. These discussions are incredibly interesting, and it's beneficial for me to learn about the customers, their needs, and their objectives. As someone who has worked in landside operations, I have gained a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges that arise both internally and externally.
I have also been responsible for handling Project Cargo enquiries and creating quotes. It's always gratifying when a customer decides to move forward with my quote.
Who are you working with the most?
I am working closely with internal colleagues, shadowing the Commercial Managers, and collaborating with the Strategy team in the London Office to gather research and conduct market analysis. Additionally, I am coordinating with the Operations and Marine team to ensure that we can meet customer requirements and provide accurate quotes.
What is the most satisfying part of the role?
I have been in the commercial team for about two months now, and I enjoy taking the lead on customer conversations and meeting their requirements. It is always rewarding to see happy customers and receive positive feedback. I am very enthusiastic about the role and enjoy interacting with customers.
What's next?
I have 12 months remaining on my graduate scheme. My next placement will be rejoining our Marine department, where I'll be working alongside our Port Planning team. I'll also be on the quayside with the Berthing Officers to gain a thorough understanding of their role at ABP. Additionally, I'll be working with the Project Engineering Team and I'm excited to see how the Port and our customers are supported through a series of port improvement projects and large-scale developments like the future phases of ABP Solent Gateway. Next year, I'll be based in ABP Garston, a smaller port that will give me a good overview of all the operations, and a chance to further my understanding of the operations involved in bulk commodities. I'm also looking forward to joining our Cruise team next summer, to experience a completely different port operation on a scale unique to Southampton.
