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Engine

Chief Engineer Jobs on Container Ships

Chief Engineer jobs on container ships: large two-stroke engines, slow steaming, reefer power, scrubbers and low-sulphur fuels, schedule-critical maintenance. Apply.

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 Chief Engineer posts on container ships when they open.

Container ships have some of the largest main engines at sea, and a liner schedule leaves little time for repairs in port. The chief engineer plans maintenance around the port rotation and keeps the engine reliable at very different loads, since many operators run slow steaming most of the time and speed up to recover the schedule. Large container ships also carry hundreds or thousands of reefer containers, so generator capacity and power management are critical.

Certificates for Chief Engineer posts on container ships

  • Certificate of Competency as Chief Engineer Officer (STCW Reg. III/2)
  • High-voltage training: many large container ships have 6.6 kV generators and switchboards
  • Advanced fire fighting (STCW Reg. VI/3), designated security duties (VI/6), flag endorsement (I/10)
  • IGF Code advanced training (STCW Reg. V/3) on LNG-fuelled or methanol-fuelled container ships

Watches, trade and contract

The chief engineer is on day work. Fuel management is a large part of the job: MARPOL Annex VI limits fuel sulphur to 0.50% worldwide and 0.10% in emission control areas, so ships either change over to compliant fuels before entering an ECA or use an exhaust gas cleaning system (scrubber). Newer ships may burn LNG or methanol, which brings the IGF Code into the engine room.

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

What employers ask for

  • Time in rank on container ships with the same engine size and maker
  • Experience with electronically controlled main engines, scrubbers or dual-fuel engines
  • Power management experience with high reefer loads
  • Reliable maintenance records with few schedule delays

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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