19 tasks, each one witnessed by the sources that watched the job — and behind every one, a prompt you can use tonight.
You start by checking the Transportation Management System (TMS) and email (Microsoft Outlook) for new shipments, delays, and customs notes. You’ll update manifests in Excel or SAP, record weights and costs, and print shipping documents.
Later you track deliveries, direct trucks to loading doors, inspect cargo condition, and handle freight inspection equipment. Expect phone calls about delays or damages and to prepare freight shipment reports and customs paperwork before the day ends.
TMS (a Transportation Management System) is central for planning and tracking. You’ll also use Microsoft Excel for cost/weight sheets, Word for letters and reports, and Outlook for customer contact. Some employers use SAP for posting and accounting.
You’ll interact with brokerage systems for customs clearance and might keep notes in OneNote. Freight inspection tools and basic truck-marshalling radio or tablet apps are common on the dock.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, 2025), 97,670 people are employed in this role. The median pay is $52,260 per year, the lowest 10% earn about $38,340, and the top 10% earn about $79,810.
Pay varies by port, company, and if you handle hazardous or international freight. Expect higher pay at busy ports or with certification in customs or hazardous materials.
AI can draft routine emails, summarize TMS reports, or suggest packing lists, but never use AI to replace verified data entry. Always copy the shipment ID, weight, and cost from TMS or Excel into documents yourself and verify customs numbers against brokerage records.
Keep customer PII and customs data out of public AI tools. Use company-approved AI features inside TMS or secure apps, and always save final manifests in SAP/Word and print or store them where your audit trail stays intact.
Start with a short logistics or supply-chain course that covers TMS basics, Excel for shipment tracking, and how manifests work. Learn to prepare basic customs documents and brokerage terms—many community colleges offer these modules.
Get hands-on by volunteering at a local port, warehouse, or freight broker. Employers value practical experience with loading/unloading, marshalling trucks, and familiarity with inspection equipment. Look up local training for specific licenses like hazmat endorsements if you’ll handle dangerous goods.
A freight broker finds carriers and negotiates transport; they usually work offsite and focus on contracts and rates. A Marine Logistics Coordinator works at a terminal or on-site, handling physical flow: directing trucks, checking cargo condition, preparing manifests, and using TMS/SAP to post shipments.
A shipping clerk focuses on paperwork and labeling inside a warehouse. As a coordinator you combine paperwork with hands-on tasks (loading guidance, inspections) and often manage customs and multi-modal moves.
Organizational skill: keeping manifests, cost/weight records, and TMS entries accurate. Small errors in weights or customs numbers create big delays. Attention to detail on shipment IDs, costs, and documentation is critical.
Communication and problem-solving: you’ll notify customers about arrivals, resolve delay/damage claims, coordinate trucks, and work with brokerage for customs. Basic IT skills with Excel, TMS, SAP, and Outlook are required.