Anyone work in the container shipping industry?

[Tram Common]

I have a few friends looking to find positions aboard large container vessels that travels overseas.

I've no clue where they would even begin searching...

... any info/advice?

[heavyfuel]

LOL did they go out and see Contraband last night and now have all sorts of new goals?

[Maybelater]

I've always thought that would be a really interesting job to try out.

If it is like working on a cruise ship two things I know is first you have to pay a deposit when you start, it is a deposit that is refunded upon quitting but if you're fired they use the deposit to pay for your flight home once they get to port. They'll escort you the whole way to be sure you don't attempt to flee.

Second, it isn't a free pass to travel the world, for the most part foreign governments and your employer don't want you going any further then your port. From what I witnessed in Vancouver when a boat shows up, it anchors at sea until it is it turn to enter a port, you dock, unload and get out. So the only time you'll touch land you'll be busy working with unloading I'm sure.

Otherwise, I've really wanted to know how people find those jobs, since we have a trade deficit in the Western world these days, it wouldn't be a surprise if most the sailors on cargo ships are low paid workers hired in places like China. They might have to follow local income laws, but you could pay the bare minimum and by their standards back home are making a good income for an unskilled labourer.

[bourge73]

I am pretty certain that most Vessels, be it a Cargo Ship, or Cruise Ship, are registered in, well lets just say "lower" income 2nd and 3rd world type countries. I am sure the wages are inline with said Countries. :dunno:

[Maybelater]

Cruise ships are different.

Most people spending money for vacation want service from people that understand their first world cultural norms and customs. Luxury experiences is the biggest things cruise ships sell.

http://www.hcareers.ca/seeker/search/advanced?form.commit=Search&localAreaCodes=&managementPositions=&industryCodes=08&hourlyPositions=

[Maybelater]

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080817140135AAvYGwC

Here you go.


First of all, most of the ships you see are not manned by American merchant seaman. They are foreign built and foreign registered ships which fly a "flag of convenience" and have an international, mostly third world crew. The reason for this is cost. Foreign sailors earn a fraction of what an American on-board an American owned, built and flagged ship makes.

That's why there are about 250 US flagged cargo ships left in the world today, out of a total of about 40,000 cargo ships in the world.

[Spoons]

I work for a third party freight forwarder.

I'd tell your friends to find work else where unless they are okay with getting paid next to nothing.

Aside from that they can try Montship, OOCL, Hapag-Lloyd, Evergreen, ZIM, etc. They all have offices in Vancouver and Montreal but I really doubt they do the hiring.