Operation department. The marine department of the shipowning company, which has the overall responsibility for issues related to the company’s ships. It is the shipmaster of the company, the head of the operation department, who informs the master of the ship about ship’s charter and the terms of chartering of the ship, the type of cargo, the port of loading and discharging, the information of all parties involved in chartering, bunkering, manning, and in general all matters relating to the ship’s seaworthiness and safety and the protection of the marine environment.