YUCEL YILDIZ
London
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in strategic planning and transformational leadership, adept at conducting risk assessments and accident investigations to enhance organisational safety. Demonstrates strong problem-solving skills and excels in fostering customer relations, driving business success through effective communication and collaboration. Committed to leveraging core competencies to achieve long-term career goals in leadership roles within dynamic environments.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Assistant Director, Commercial EMEA
RightShip
London
2025.03 - Current
- Managing key accounts in EMEA region, focusing on business development and sustainability initiatives in charterers, shipping companies, ports and terminals.
- Advocating strategies for shipping, vetting, and crew welfare, driving positive impact on industry standards.
- Collaboration with cross-functional teams to enhance RightShip's ESG practices and strengthen client relationships.
- Leading the development of strategic plans to drive business growth.
- Supervising staff training programs, enhancing professional development opportunities.
Ports and Terminals Manager
RightShip
London, UK
2022.12 - 2025.03
- Oversaw marketing and commercial parts of Port and Terminal Product category in order to increase business throughout all areas and manage recently formed RightPort taskforce.
- Built sales pipeline for new segment customer
- Developed product strategies to satisfy ESG needs and demands of ports and terminals
- Developed and oversaw relationships with port and terminal associations and groups to foster cooperation on environmental, safety, and governance solutions that align with vision and objective of organization by representing organisation data collaboration work groups and technical committees
Vetting Superintendent
RightShip
London, UK
2018.04 - 2022.12
- Utilizing Rightship Platform, vetted over 4000 cargo vessels in accordance with industry best practices, maritime knowledge, and client specifications to guarantee compliance for business.
- Reviewed over 3000 vessel inspection and 1000 incident investigation reports, utilizing root cause analysis techniques, and advised charterers / ship operators on how to improve safety, quality, and sustainability while enhancing their business.
- Developed guidelines for high-risk maritime activities and helped operations team members become acquainted with corporate policies and procedures through training.
Customer Engagement Officer (Secondment)
RightShip
London, UK
2020.04 - 2021.10
- Over 400 RightShip Platform demos were conducted for existing and prospect customers. Trained and helped consumers with transition to new platform and services.
- Responded and managed customer inquiries about Rightship's services in EMEA region.
- Served as temporary key account manager, extending subscription agreements, and controlling user access for customers across EMEA
- Liaison between customers and RightShip Global Operations team about service quality comments, improvement ideas, and vetting criteria adjustments.
- CRM processes were altered and standardised during COVID-19 period. approximately 350 EMEA customer accounts were transferred and recorded in CRM
Vetting & Safety Superintendent
(T Damla Denizcilik A.S) TÜPRAŞ
Izmir, Turkiye
2010.10 - 2018.04
- Developed and implemented vessel due diligence system to control vessel-related risks for TUPRAS Terminals
- Carried out over 300 physical vessel vetting inspections and approximately 5000 screenings on Crude oil, product, chemical and LPG tankers visiting Tüpraş Terminals ensuring conformity with terminal's safety regulations as described in “Intertanko Guide to Vetting Process” publication which prevented vessel related incidents and reduced to zero.
- Oversaw pilotage and supporting activities on ESG viewpoint. Implemented ISPO, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 management systems and maintained compliance across organisation with approximately 80 employees.
- Served as member of Nautical Risk Management Team for TUPRAS Marine Terminal activities, development projects
Loading Master
(T Damla Denizcilik A.S) TÜPRAŞ
Izmir, Turkiye
2009.03 - 2010.10
- Supervised approximately 250 safe loading and discharging operations on crude oil and product ships by overseeing whole operation on board.
- Determined and implemented safety limits for Marine terminal operations
Master
Chemmariner Shipping
2007.08 - 2009.02
- Master in command on board Petroleum Product / Chemical Tankers.
- Completed over 200 voyages with roughly 50 different cargo types
Chief Officer
Transal Shipping
2005.09 - 2007.06
- Chief Officer on board Petroleum Product / Chemical Tankers.
- Completed over 100 voyages with roughly 30 different cargo types
Deck Officer
Teekay Shipping
2000.07 - 2005.06
- Planned and monitored vessel voyage, maintained navigational equipment and charts
- Maintained ship equipment to ensure compliance and emergency preparedness
Education
Bachelor of Science - Maritime Transportation and Management Engineering
İstanbul Technical University, Maritime Faculty
Istanbul, Turkiye 1995.10 - 2000.06
Master of Science - Maritime, Security, Safety and Environmental Management
9 Eylül University, Maritime Faculty
Izmir, Turkiye 2014.10 - 2017.06
Skills
- Strategic Planning
- Transformational leadership
- Risk Assessments
- Accident and incident investigation
- Problem-solving
- Customer relations
- Business development
- Change implementation
- Training and mentoring
- Sales pipeline management
- Ship inspection procedures
- Maritime legislation understanding
- Technical ship operations
- Ship surveying
- Behavioural based safety
Affiliations
- Free Diving
- Spear Fishing
- Playing Turkish Folk Instrument (Baglama)
Accomplishments
Associate Fellow of the Nautical Institute (AFNI)
Ocean Going Master
Occupational Safety Specialist
Languages
Turkish
Native
English
Proficient (C2)
Spanish
Beginner
Timeline
Assistant Director, Commercial EMEA
RightShip
2025.03 - Current
Ports and Terminals Manager
RightShip
2022.12 - 2025.03
Customer Engagement Officer (Secondment)
RightShip
2020.04 - 2021.10
Vetting Superintendent
RightShip
2018.04 - 2022.12
Master of Science - Maritime, Security, Safety and Environmental Management
9 Eylül University, Maritime Faculty
2014.10 - 2017.06
Vetting & Safety Superintendent
(T Damla Denizcilik A.S) TÜPRAŞ
2010.10 - 2018.04
Loading Master
(T Damla Denizcilik A.S) TÜPRAŞ
2009.03 - 2010.10
Master
Chemmariner Shipping
2007.08 - 2009.02
Chief Officer
Transal Shipping
2005.09 - 2007.06
Deck Officer
Teekay Shipping
2000.07 - 2005.06
Bachelor of Science - Maritime Transportation and Management Engineering
İstanbul Technical University, Maritime Faculty
1995.10 - 2000.06