Marine Relations and Compliance Officer

Job Description

Job Summary:
We are seeking a detail-oriented compliance professional to manage end-to-end statutory and regulatory requirements for seafarers, including documentation, payroll-linked contributions, and Indian flag vessel compliance. The role involves handling SPFO processes, DG Shipping reporting, welfare fund administration, and NRI tax compliance while ensuring accuracy, audit readiness, and timely submissions. The candidate will act as a key point of contact for seafarers and collaborate closely with crewing, finance, payroll, and documentation teams to drive compliant, efficient, and transparent operations. Strong analytical skills, ownership, and the ability to manage complex compliance processes in a regulated environment are essential.

Qualification and experience:

• Graduate / Postgraduate
• 2–5 years of relevant experience in maritime compliance, HR Compliance payroll-linked statutory administration, seafarer documentation, or marine HR operations.
• Preferred prior exposure to Indian flag vessel compliance, DG Shipping processes, SPFO, and statutory welfare funds is highly desirable.
• Experience with Crew Management System is a strong advantage and will enhance effectiveness in the role.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently with seafarers, regulators, finance teams, and auditors.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, detail-driven compliance processes with accuracy and discipline.
• Strong analytical capability with a proactive mindset toward process improvement and risk mitigation.
• Self-driven professional with a high sense of ownership, accountability, and integrity.
• Ability to take initiative, manage competing priorities, and deliver outcomes independently while collaborating closely with cross-functional teams.
• Good understanding of data management and reporting, particularly for statutory submissions and payroll reconciliation.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel (reconciliations, trackers, reporting) and PowerPoint.
• Adaptable and resilient, capable of working in a highly regulated and deadline-driven environment.
• High standards of professionalism, confidentiality, and ethical conduct.

Learning Description

• Actively use the Learning Management System (LMS) to stay updated on company initiatives, regulatory changes, and compliance requirements.
• Continuously upskill in areas related to maritime regulations, statutory compliance, payroll administration, and digital systems, aligned with evolving business needs.

Key performance indicators

• Performance measured against individual objectives (goals) defined and tracked through Workday, including compliance accuracy, timeliness of statutory reporting, audit readiness, and stakeholder satisfaction.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Strengthen and manage end-to-end statutory and regulatory compliance related to seafarer documentation, payroll-linked contributions, and Indian flag vessel requirements.
• Administer Seafarer Provident Fund Office procedures compliance, including:
  • Completion and Collection declaration forms from all seafarers.
  • Send physical copies of declarations along with seafarers’ and beneficiaries’ identity proofs to SPFO.
  • Create individual seafarer profiles on the SPFO portal.
  • Manage monthly reporting to SPFO (online + offline), including uploading employee and employer contributions as per prescribed SPFO formats.
  • Liaise with SPFO authorities for any technical or administrative issues.
  • Address seafarer queries related to SPFO, ensuring timely and accurate responses.
  • Ensure all seafarer accounts are opened on SPFO, and contributions are credited correctly for seafarers to view online.
  • monthly reporting (online and offline), reconciliation of contributions, and liaison with SPFO authorities.
• Act as the primary point of contact for seafarer queries related to SPFO, statutory deductions, and compliance-related clarifications.
• Prepare and manage Articles of Agreement prior to joining and ensure post sign-off completion, DG shipping notification, system updates, and coordination with the Crew Documentation team, including:
  • Create Article of Agreement for each seafarer prior to joining.
  • Follow up post sign-off to ensure office signing is completed.
  • Maintain accurate records in COMPAS and liaise with the Crew
  • Documentation team for timely updates in the DG Shipping e-Governance portal.
• Manage Non-Resident tax compliance to ensure tax compliance and addition tax liabilities are not imposed to seafarers and prevention of payment errors through system controls.
  • Calculation of NRI days for all seafarers
  • Collect and upload NRE declarations from all seafarers in COMPAS.
  • Ensure NRE accounts are correctly labelled in COMPAS for accurate payments.
  • Lock other bank accounts in the system to avoid payment errors.
  • Guide seafarers on bank account creation and documentation requirements where needed.
  • Liaison with crewing to ensure timely assignment to prevent tax implication
• Handle DG Shipping reporting, endorsements, dispensations, and statutory submissions in coordination with internal teams.
• Ensure timely calculation, payment, and reporting of statutory welfare funds, including:
  • NUSI Welfare Fund
  • Seafarer Welfare Fund
  • Training Support Fund
  • Sailors’ Home Fund
  • MSFWT Fund
• Maintain updated SOPs, support internal and external audits, and ensure regulatory portals remain accurate and audit ready.
• Establish and maintain effective cost control and process discipline across all compliance-related activities under scope.
• Uphold seafarer welfare and strengthen engagement by ensuring transparency, accuracy, and trust in statutory and payroll-related processes.
• Collaborate closely with Marine Crewing, Finance, Payroll, and Documentation teams to ensure seamless operations.

Undertake any other duties related to seafarer compliance, documentation, statutory reporting, or regulatory engagement as required by business needs.

Maersk is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we embrace different styles of thinking. Maersk is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants without regard to race, colour, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or parental leave, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.

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