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Master Jobs on Container Ships

Master jobs on container ships: liner schedules, frequent pilotage, stability and lashing checks, dangerous goods and what liner operators ask for. Apply online.

Vessel typeContainer Vessel
LocationWorldwide
ContractCommonly 3 to 5 months
JoiningUpcoming vacancies
CompanyCrewing agencies and shipowners we work with
SalarySet by the employer for each vacancy

Role overview

Open recruitment for crewing agencies and shipowners we work with. This page is not a single vacancy: apply to be considered for Master posts on container ships when they open.

A master on a container ship works to a fixed liner schedule. Feeder ships may call at a new port every day or two, and large ships on Asia-Europe or transpacific services have several port calls each week on the coast. The master is on the bridge for most pilotages, berthings and channel passages, so rest-hour planning matters as much as navigation. Stowage is planned by the operator’s central planners, but the master must accept the plan: stability, lashing forces, visibility from the bridge and dangerous goods segregation are checked on board before departure.

Certificates for Master posts on container ships

  • Certificate of Competency as Master (STCW Reg. II/2), 3,000 GT or more
  • Ship Security Officer (STCW Reg. VI/5) and medical care (VI/4)
  • Flag endorsement (STCW Reg. I/10)
  • Company courses common on liner ships: ship handling of large ships, heavy weather and parametric rolling awareness, IMDG Code familiarisation

Watches, trade and contract

The master does not keep a watch but is called for every port approach. Weather routing matters on container ships: heavy rolling, including parametric rolling on large ships in head or following seas, has caused container losses, so many operators require the master to follow weather routing advice and the Cargo Securing Manual. Since July 2016 every packed container must have a verified gross mass (SOLAS Reg. VI/2) before it is loaded.

Contract length: commonly 3 to 5 months, set by the employer for each vacancy.

What employers ask for

  • Command time on container ships of a similar size (feeder, Panamax, neo-Panamax, ultra large)
  • Experience with high port-call frequency and pilot exchanges
  • Clean port state control and company audit records
  • Experience with the trade area’s rules, for example emission control areas in Europe and North America

How to apply

  1. Create a free seafarer account and confirm your email address.
  2. Fill in your CV with your sea service on container ships, your CoC and the certificates listed above, and upload copies.
  3. Apply to this post and make your profile visible to verified employers, so crewing agencies and shipowners can find you when a vacancy opens.

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