MXP Employee Management
HR Scheduling - Simplify Complex Crew Planning
Scheduling employees in the shipping industry is complex and time-consuming. Rotations, certifications, international regulations, and last-minute changes make it difficult to keep vessels fully staffed and compliant. The MXP HR Scheduling Module takes the guesswork out of crew planning. Using advanced automation and smart rules, it helps you find the best available candidate for every open position - quickly, accurately, and with minimal manual effort.
Challenges We Solve
- Different contract and vacation lengths based on rank and nationality
- Handling last-minute cancellations, no-shows, sickness, or accidents
- Tracking certification and medical requirements for compliance
- Managing nautical and technical certifications for specialized roles
- Navigating port restrictions for certain nationalities or exchange rules
- Scaling up staffing when new vessels join the fleet
Top Features
Plan crew rotations with clarity and keep every vessel fully staffed.
User-friendly scheduling wizard
allowing targeted planning across specific ships, departments, and positions within a chosen timeframe
Intelligent rule-based scheduling
for scheduling, factors in licenses, certificates, destination requirements, availability and preferences
Various scheduling features
offer intelligent candidate suggestions, supported by detailed data, to facilitate efficient placement in open slots or optimal scheduling for future availability
Scheduling view
includes zoom in/out features to allow detailed or high-level views as needed
Automated notifications
alerts HR teams when position slots remain vacant
Customizable organizational structure
to match your company’s unique setup
Your Benefits
Stay Ahead of Crew Scheduling. Fill every position with confidence. Keep your fleet fully manned.
Real-time tracking and safeguards
to ensure compliance and readiness
Multiple scheduling methods
Batch, semi-automated, or manual for maximum flexibility
Built specifically for the shipping industry
handling complex passport, nationality, visa and certification requirements
Automatic alerts
to prevent vacancies and ensure full manning at all times
Clear, at-a-glance dashboards
to monitor staffing levels across all vessels
Significant HR cost savings
through automation and streamlined processes
Michele Gullick
Director Operations
"With MXP HR Scheduling, your team can plan ahead, respond fast, and keep operations running smoothly - even in the face of last-minute changes or high-volume staffing needs."
Part of MXP Employee Management
The MXP HR Enterprise integrates seamlessly with our HR modules, creating a unified, centralized employee management system where data flows securely and intelligently across the entire employee lifecycle - eliminating silos, reducing manual work, and ensuring no information is ever lost.
Ready to Transform Your HR Process?
Efficiency. Compliance. Transparency. MXP Employee Management streamlines every aspect of employee management.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
MXP HR Scheduling is a specialized crew planning solution designed for the shipping industry. It automates and streamlines the complex process of scheduling employees across vessels, ensuring the right person is assigned to the right position while staying compliant with certifications, port restrictions, and international regulations.
Shipping companies face unique challenges such as:
- Different contract lengths and vacation cycles based on rank or nationality
- Last-minute changes like cancellations, no-shows, sickness, or accidents
- Certification and medical compliance requirements for crew members
- Port-specific restrictions on certain nationalities or exchange dates
- The need to rapidly staff new vessels joining the fleet
MXP HR Scheduling addresses all these factors with intelligent automation and built-in rule sets.
- Shipping companies managing large, distributed crews
- Fleet operators with vessels across multiple regions
- HR teams struggling with manual crew planning and compliance
- Organizations looking to reduce scheduling errors and costs
MXP uses rule-based algorithms to evaluate every available candidate against key factors like licenses, certificates, destination knowledge, and employee preferences. It then automatically assigns the best match to each open position.
You can choose between:
- Fully automated scheduling – the system makes all assignments
- Semi-automated scheduling – the system recommends options, and you make the final decision
- Manual scheduling – full control for special cases
Yes. MXP allows you to set custom rules and preferences, such as:
- “Schedule with manager” or “Schedule with specific teammate”
- “Do not schedule with” for conflict prevention
- Preferred routes or vessels
This ensures a more harmonious and efficient crew setup.
When a last-minute issue arises, MXP quickly identifies alternative candidates who meet all the necessary requirements. It automatically notifies HR teams about open slots so you can react immediately and avoid operational disruptions.
Yes. The system includes separate logic for river and ocean scheduling, which can be turned on or off depending on your operational requirements. This makes it ideal for companies managing mixed fleets.
Absolutely. Rules are stored as procedures within the system, meaning you can update them without requiring a new software version or downtime, ensuring maximum flexibility.
Yes. MXP offers two scheduling views:
- By vessel – to see crew assignments for each ship
- By date range – to plan ahead for upcoming rotations
Additionally, real-time dashboards and notifications give HR teams a clear overview of manning levels and vacant slots.
Yes. MXP sends automatic notifications via email when position slots are vacant or require urgent attention, helping you maintain full staffing at all times.
By automating repetitive scheduling tasks and minimizing manual work, MXP reduces the time and resources needed for crew planning. This results in:
- Lower HR administrative costs
- Fewer errors and compliance fines
- More efficient use of available crew
Yes. MXP HR Scheduling seamlessly integrates with other MXP HR modules, such as Recruitment, Employee management, Employee Self-Service, Training & Certificate Portal, Time & Attendance and more, creating a complete HR ecosystem.
Absolutely. MXP is designed to scale with your business, handling both day-to-day scheduling needs and sudden high-volume staffing requirements when adding new vessels to your fleet.
You can request a personalized demo to see how MXP HR Scheduling works with your unique crew planning needs.