Port Profiles: Natalie Shaw

From deck to dock

Natalie’s journey to becoming VTS Supervisor at Port of Aberdeen began at sea. At the age of 19, she joined the Merchant Navy, gaining her Officer of the Watch certification and sailing internationally with Subsea7. After 3 years, she rose to the rank of Second Officer, gaining experience across a wide range of maritime operations.

After five years at sea, Natalie made the decision to transition ashore. The opportunity to join Port of Aberdeen’s VTS team felt like a natural step, allowing her to remain in the maritime industry while building on her operational expertise from a new perspective.

Thriving in a dynamic environment

As VTS Supervisor, Natalie plays a key role in ensuring the safe and efficient movement of vessels within the port’s waters. Her role is varied, fast paced, and involves supporting the VTS team and wider Marine Department in any way she can. This can range from stakeholder engagement and documentation reviews to organising and executing drills, attending meetings and audits, and supporting future planning around equipment upgrades and training.

While the ever-changing nature of her role keeps things interesting, it also presents its challenges. Natalie likes that every day is different but unexpected tasks often shift her priorities – something she manages with a calm and capable approach.

Career development has been a strong feature of Natalie’s time at Port of Aberdeen. The port has supported her through all of her formal VTS training and provided an environment where she has been able to learn from experienced colleagues across the Marine Department. This combination of structured progression and informal knowledge-sharing has allowed her to develop her technical knowledge and leadership skills in a collaborative environment.

Life beyond the Marine Operations Centre

Outside of work, Natalie enjoys spending time with her growing family and friends. With a two-year-old son, a new baby on the way, and a Miniature Schnauzer named Rex, life is full and active. With weekend adventures exploring Aberdeenshire a regular highlight.

Her early fascination with the aviation industry and interest in roles such as a pilot or air traffic controller are echoed in her current position, coordinating vessel traffic with precision and oversight. If she were to try something new within the organisation, the Communications Department would be her pick – drawn to the creative and rewarding nature of their work.

For those new to Port of Aberdeen, Natalie encourages immersing yourself in as much of the port as you can and participating in cross-departmental projects where possible. This is where she has found a deeper understanding of the port and its operations. She also believes that building connections with colleagues and port users, helps make the job more manageable and enjoyable.