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Chief Officer Jobs on Container Ships

Chief Officer jobs on container ships: checking bay plans, lashing forces and stability, IMDG dangerous goods segregation, reefers and ballast. How to apply.

Vessel typeContainer Vessel
LocationWorldwide
ContractCommonly 4 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 Officer posts on container ships when they open.

The chief officer on a container ship does not plan the stowage, which comes from the operator’s planners as a bay plan, but checks it before loading starts and during the operation. The checks cover stability and stress in the loading computer, stack weights and lashing forces, dangerous goods positions and segregation under the IMDG Code, reefer positions with power, and out-of-gauge or heavy units. Changes by the terminal must be checked again before the ship sails, often within a few hours.

Certificates for Chief Officer posts on container ships

  • Certificate of Competency as Chief Mate (STCW Reg. II/2)
  • Medical care on board (STCW Reg. VI/4), advanced fire fighting (VI/3), designated security duties (VI/6)
  • IMDG Code dangerous goods training as required by the company
  • Flag endorsement (STCW Reg. I/10)

Watches, trade and contract

At sea many container ships put the chief officer on the 4 to 8 watch. In port the chief officer is on cargo duty for most of the stay, which is short: a large ship may load and discharge thousands of containers within a day. Lashing on deck is usually done by shore lashers in port, but the ship’s crew checks and tightens lashings at sea, under the chief officer’s supervision, before bad weather.

Contract length: commonly 4 to 5 months, set by the employer for each vacancy.

What employers ask for

  • Previous contracts as chief officer, or as second officer with cargo duty, on container ships
  • Experience with the loading computer and lashing software used by the operator
  • Dangerous goods knowledge (IMDG Code segregation tables)
  • Ability to work with tight port schedules and terminal planners

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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