Lenin Chinnappa

IMDG-certified Dangerous Goods professional with 13+ years of specialized experience across four of the world's top shipping lines — Maersk, CMA-CGM, MSC, and Sealead. Expert in end-to-end DG approvals, IMDG/CFR compliance, SAP-based DG workflows, and multi-cluster stakeholder coordination (Europe, USA, Canada, Africa). Consistently served as SPOC for DG desks, delivered compliance training, managed audits, and built BI-powered KPI reporting for senior leadership.

Assistant Manager – Dangerous Goods Desk at Sealead Shipping Line (2025-10 – Present)

• Operate as sole SPOC for all DG operations in Chennai, bridging internal teams, port authorities, and customers for seamless cargo flow.
• Drive end-to-end DG approvals on SAP, maintaining full IMDG Code compliance for every outbound SEALEAD shipment.
• Manage high-consequence cargo (charcoal, carbon, bitumen) with multi-level safety profiling and regulatory verification.
• Maintain prohibited and restricted cargo lists aligned to every IMDG amendment cycle, minimizing compliance exposure.
• Convert rejected DG bookings into compliant alternatives, directly protecting cargo revenue and business continuity.
• Identified and recommended process automation improvements in the DG approval workflow, reducing approval turnaround time.
• Co-developed BI dashboards enabling real-time DG performance tracking, trend analysis, and executive KPI visibility.

Assistant Manager – Dangerous Goods Desk at House of Shipping (2023-06 – 2025-10)

• Monitored IMDG regulatory amendments and translated changes into updated team processes and documentation with zero compliance lapses.
• Designed and delivered DG compliance training programs covering hazardous material handling, documentation accuracy, and regulatory best practices.
• Led internal DG compliance audits, achieving full conformance with IMDG standards and internal policy requirements.
• Produced weekly, monthly, and KPI performance reports and presented findings directly to senior management.
• Drafted and maintained DG policy documents, SOPs, and revision logs ensuring accessibility and version control.
• Introduced continuous improvement initiatives in DG approval workflows, measurably reducing documentation errors and approval lead time.
• Managed team shift scheduling and leaving records to maintain uninterrupted 24/7 DG desk operations.

Specialist – Hazardous Cargo Approvals at Maersk Global Service Centre (2018-05 – 2023-05)

• Approved all DG bookings for Europe cluster sailings, applying IMDG Code and CFR (USA/Canada) regulations to every booking.
• Coordinated with port authorities, terminal operators, and front-end colleagues across USA, Canada, Europe, and Africa on end-to-end DG matters.
• Served as primary DG customer contact on cargo requirements, country-specific permits, and government regulations.
• Conducted daily process-review meetings and knowledge-sharing sessions, elevating team compliance standards.
• Resolved complex customer escalations and DG booking disputes through root-cause analysis and cross-functional coordination.
• Promoted to Complaint Desk: handled critical customer issues using available tools and thorough investigation techniques.

Senior Executive – DG Support & Shift Operations at CMA-CGM Shared Service Center (2015-02 – 2018-05)

• Processed and validated partner DG applications against IMDG Code and CMA-CGM in-house policies prior to approval.
• Raised RFIs and chased partners on non-compliant applications, ensuring zero-defect submission to the validation team.
• Approved transshipment DG containers at intermediate ports, maintaining uninterrupted cargo movement.
• Acted as Shift In-Charge for a 9-member team; allocated tasks by priority and cutoff, consistently meeting SLA TAT.
• Audited completed bookings before validation handoff, maintaining high accuracy rates aligned to SLA requirements.
• Trained new joiners and existing staff on IMDG updates and CMA-CGM DG policies; ran classroom refreshers and knowledge quizzes.
• Prepared daily, weekly, and monthly operational reports, maintained and updated SOPs, SLAs, and process flow charts.

Executive – Hazardous Cargo & Customer Service at Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) (2011-06 – 2013-05)

• Managed DG shipment bookings, hazardous documentation, and compliance verification for all export cargo.
• Issued allotments to customers via INTTRA based on service-wise vessel capacity, coordinated shipping instruction updates.
• Processed BL amendments, manifest updates, and rate confirmations per customer requirements and export specifications.

MBA in Logistics & Shipping – Vel's University (2009 – 2011)

Bachelor of Commerce in B. Com – Loyola College (2006 – 2009)