Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic
Capt. ABDURRAHMAN KARACA

Capt. ABDURRAHMAN KARACA

Senior Corporate Administration & Excellence Manager | Chief Corporate Excellence & Transformation Officer
Ümraniye

Summary

Highly accomplished and visionary Maritime Executive with over 30 years of comprehensive experience spanning global sea-going operations and elite shore-based leadership. Proven excellence in Strategic Advisory, Corporate Transformation, and Business Excellence.

Distinguished career highlighted by senior leadership roles at CMA CGM—one of the world’s largest shipping conglomerates—where I successfully performed dual responsibilities as Managing Director and Line Manager, balancing high-level corporate governance with complex trade strategies and P&L management.

Extensive executive background in Maritime Management , having served in various senior-level positions at Arkas Shipping and Transport S.A. and as Managing Director at Containerships Maritime Transport and Trade S.A. My expertise encompasses the entire maritime value chain, from Master Mariner proficiency to shore-based excellence in Chartering, Brokering, DPA/CSO roles, and Fleet Safety Management.

A strategic leader with a documented track record in large-scale organizational restructuring, multi-million dollar budget management, and leading diverse teams through critical business transitions. Committed to driving operational efficiency and sustainable growth through data-driven financial analysis and robust strategic planning.

Overview

36
36
years of professional experience

Work History

Strategic Advisor & Business Excellence Consultant

Freelance
05.2024 - Current
  • Chief Corporate Excellence & Transformation Officer, driving organizational efficiency and strategic transformation.

Manager, Import Service Delivery & Managing Director

CMA CGM Turkey & CONTAINERSHIPS Turkey
05.2021 - 04.2024
  • Managed business transitions and liquidation processes for Containerships Turkey.
  • Oversaw Import Service Delivery, Disputes, Claims, and DDSM functions.

Line Manager & Managing Director

CMA CGM (Containerships Brand)
01.2020 - 05.2021
  • Directed full P&L responsibility; optimized yield and improved cost efficiency.
  • Analyzed bunker consumption and vessel performance to drive operational savings.
  • Implemented General Rate Increases (GRI) and strategic route adjustments.

Managing Director

Containerships Maritime Transport & Trade S.A.
09.2018 - 12.2019
  • Developed annual budgets and strategic plans to achieve corporate revenue objectives.
  • Supervised terminal/agency contracts and coordinated vessel operations.

Director of Operations

Containerships Maritime Transport & Trade S.A.
03.2009 - 09.2018
  • Managed chartering, brokering, and fleet performance.
  • Negotiated supplier rates, including warehousing and insurance, to maintain margins.

Fleet Safety Superintendent, DPA / CSO

ARKAS Shipping and Transport S.A.
08.2003 - 01.2009
  • Ensured safety and environmental compliance for a fleet of 24 feeder vessels.
  • Managed HR/Crewing for Turkish-flagged vessels.
  • Actively participated in industry conferences and workshops to stay current on best practices and emerging trends within the field of occupational health and safety management.
  • Coordinated safety committee meetings to discuss ongoing projects, progress updates, and areas for improvement within the organization''s safety program framework.

Owner Representative

Arkas Shipping
08.2001 - 08.2003
  • Developed strong rapport with local regulatory agencies to expedite permitting processes and facilitate seamless inspections.
  • Streamlined decision-making processes for timely project completion through proactive issue identification and resolution.
  • Implemented a systematic approach to document management, facilitating easy access to critical information for all project stakeholders.
  • Contributed industry expertise during contract negotiations, safeguarding owner interests while fostering mutually beneficial agreements with service providers.

SEA EXPERIENCE & MILITARY SERVICE

Arkas Shipping and Other Major Shipping Companies in the Market at the Time.
08.1990 - 08.2001
  • Vessel Commanding as Master Mariner,
  • Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
  • Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree - Deck

Istanbul Technical University
01-1990

Skills

Executive & Strategic Management

Corporate Governance: Advanced experience in Managing Director roles, overseeing organizational health and legal compliance

P&L & Financial Management: Direct accountability for multi-million dollar budgets, yield optimization, and financial restructuring

Strategic Planning: Development of annual business plans, trade route feasibility studies, and market expansion strategies

Change Management: Proven ability to lead organizations through business transitions, mergers, and liquidations

Business Excellence: Implementation of KPIs and corporate excellence frameworks to drive operational efficiency

Maritime Operations & Logistics

Line Management: Expertise in managing specific shipping lines, optimizing vessel stowage, and regional trade balance

Chartering & Brokering: In-depth knowledge of vessel procurement, time/voyage charters, and market rate negotiations

Fleet Performance Analysis: Monitoring vessel efficiency, bunker consumption, and technical performance metrics

Supply Chain Optimization: Coordination of terminal operations, agency contracts, and inland logistics

Voyage Estimation: Precision calculation of voyage costs, port expenses, and profitability margins

Compliance, Safety & Legal

Maritime Law & Claims: Expert handling of maritime disputes, insurance claims, and P&I Club interactions

ISM / ISPS Code: Mastery of International Safety Management and Ship/Port Facility Security codes

DPA & CSO Functions: Experienced Designated Person Ashore and Company Security Officer for large fleets

Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring total alignment with IMO, STCW, and flag-state requirements

Leadership & Soft Skills

Crisis Management: Calm leadership during maritime emergencies or critical business downturns

Negotiation: High-level negotiation skills with international vendors, terminals, and labor unions

Cross-Functional Leadership: Ability to bridge the gap between technical sea-going staff and corporate shore-based teams

Analytical Thinking: Data-driven decision-making for complex logistical and financial problems

Technical & Tools

Maritime Technical Management

Advanced Data Analysis: Utilizing financial and operational data to predict market trends

Project Management: Leading new-building supervision and corporate transformation projects

Liner Shipping Systems: Proficiency in industry-standard documentation and shipping management software

Executive Strategic Leadership: Expert in high-level Business Development, conducting complex Feasibility Studies for new trade routes, and driving long-term Strategic Planning within global shipping conglomerates

Executive Strategic Leadership: Expert in high-level Business Development, conducting complex Feasibility Studies for new trade routes, and driving long-term Strategic Planning within global shipping conglomerates

Advanced Maritime Management: Comprehensive mastery of Chartering & Brokering, Fleet Performance Optimization, and precision Voyage Calculation to maximize vessel utilization

Corporate Excellence & Transformation: Specialized in large-scale organizational restructuring, business transition management, and implementing efficiency-driven corporate excellence frameworks

High-Level Financial Acumen: Full P&L responsibility for major trade lines, managing multi-million dollar budgets, and implementing rigorous Cost Efficiency and Yield Optimization strategies

Compliance, Safety & Governance: Extensive experience in ISM/ISPS Systems, serving as DPA (Designated Person Ashore) and CSO (Company Security Officer), and ensuring total alignment with International Maritime Legislation

Commercial Operations & Stakeholder Management: Expert in terminal/agency contract negotiations, dispute resolution, claim handling, and building strategic partnerships with global vendors and customers

Advanced Maritime Management: Comprehensive mastery of Chartering & Brokering, Fleet Performance Optimization, and precision Voyage Calculation to maximize vessel utilization

Corporate Excellence & Transformation: Specialized in large-scale organizational restructuring, business transition management, and implementing efficiency-driven corporate excellence frameworks

High-Level Financial Acumen: Full P&L responsibility for major trade lines, managing multi-million dollar budgets, and implementing rigorous Cost Efficiency and Yield Optimization strategies

Compliance, Safety & Governance: Extensive experience in ISM/ISPS Systems, serving as DPA (Designated Person Ashore) and CSO (Company Security Officer), and ensuring total alignment with International Maritime Legislation

Commercial Operations & Stakeholder Management: Expert in terminal/agency contract negotiations, dispute resolution, claim handling, and building strategic partnerships with global vendors and customers

Timeline

Strategic Advisor & Business Excellence Consultant

Freelance
05.2024 - Current

Manager, Import Service Delivery & Managing Director

CMA CGM Turkey & CONTAINERSHIPS Turkey
05.2021 - 04.2024

Line Manager & Managing Director

CMA CGM (Containerships Brand)
01.2020 - 05.2021

Managing Director

Containerships Maritime Transport & Trade S.A.
09.2018 - 12.2019

Director of Operations

Containerships Maritime Transport & Trade S.A.
03.2009 - 09.2018

Fleet Safety Superintendent, DPA / CSO

ARKAS Shipping and Transport S.A.
08.2003 - 01.2009

Owner Representative

Arkas Shipping
08.2001 - 08.2003

SEA EXPERIENCE & MILITARY SERVICE

Arkas Shipping and Other Major Shipping Companies in the Market at the Time.
08.1990 - 08.2001

Bachelor’s Degree - Deck

Istanbul Technical University
Capt. ABDURRAHMAN KARACASenior Corporate Administration & Excellence Manager | Chief Corporate Excellence & Transformation Officer