Vessel Types

Know your vessel
before you apply.

Every vessel type that hires maritime crew — what it carries, what certification it needs, and what it pays.

🛢️

Crude Oil Tanker (VLCC / Suezmax)

Transport unrefined crude oil over long ocean routes. Largest vessels in the tanker sector. Higher pay than product tankers for equivalent ranks due to vessel complexity.

Extra cert
Advanced Tanker
Contract
4–6 months
Master pay
$10,500+/mo

Product Tanker

Refined petroleum products — diesel, gasoline, kerosene. Multiple cargo grades carried simultaneously, requiring careful segregation and pump room management.

Extra cert
Oil Tanker
Contract
3–6 months
Chief Eng
$9,900–10,800
📦

Container Vessel

The largest fleet in global shipping. Regular liner services on fixed routes. High demand for officers and ratings at all levels — steady employment with predictable schedules.

Extra cert
None (STCW)
Contract
4–9 months
3rd Eng
$3,725–4,025

Bulk Carrier

Dry bulk cargoes — grain, coal, iron ore, cement. Largest fleet by number of vessels. Entry-level ratings and stable progression for officers under German and other established managers.

Extra cert
None (STCW)
Contract
4–8 months
4th Eng
$2,530–3,511
🚢

Ro-Ro Vessel

Roll-on/roll-off — vehicles, trailers and heavy cargo driven aboard. Often on fixed short-sea routes. Regular schedules make work-life balance more predictable for many crew.

Extra cert
None typically
Contract
2–6 months
4th Eng
$2,530/mo
🔧

AHTS — Anchor Handling Tug Supply

Anchor handling operations for drilling rigs, plus towing and supply runs. DP2 certification standard. Day-rate pay structure, rotational schedules. Higher earning potential than deep-sea cargo for equivalent ranks.

Extra cert
DP2 required
Rotation
4–8wks on/off
Master
$10,500+/mo
🏗️

PSV — Platform Supply Vessel

Deck cargo, fluids and equipment supply to offshore platforms. DP2 standard. ETO, DPO and engineering roles typically well-paid with rotational work patterns.

Extra cert
DP2 required
Rotation
4–8wks on/off
ETO
$4,700–7,500
🚤

Tug Boat

Port assist tugs and ocean-going towage. Smaller crew, shorter contracts. Entry-level to Master positions available. Good starting point for deck and engine careers.

Extra cert
Towing endorsement
Contract
Varies
Master
$7,000/mo
🔬

Chemical Tanker

Bulk liquid chemicals in segregated stainless tanks. Separate chemical tanker endorsement required. High demand for experienced officers due to cargo complexity.

Extra cert
Chemical Tanker
Contract
3–5 months
Chief Off
$6,000–9,000
🚢

Passenger / Cruise Ship

Large passenger vessels with extensive catering, hotel and safety crew requirements alongside standard deck and engine departments.

Extra cert
Crowd management
Contract
4–8 months
Master
$10,000–15,000
⛴️

Ferry / Ro-Pax

Short-sea passenger and vehicle ferries. Fixed routes, predictable schedules. Strong demand for deck officers and ratings. Good work-life balance.

Extra cert
Passenger safety
Contract
1–4 months
Master
$5,000–9,000
🏗️

Cable Lay / Construction Vessel

Offshore cable laying, pipe laying and construction work. DP2/DP3 standard. Specialist roles in high demand, typically well-paid rotational contracts.

Extra cert
DP2 + offshore
Rotation
4–8wks on/off
DPO
$7,000–9,500
🚛

Heavy Lift Vessel

Specialist semi-submersible and crane vessels for offshore platform installation. Small fleet, high specialisation, premium pay for experienced crew.

Extra cert
DP + crane ops
Rotation
Project-based
Master
$12,000–18,000
🧊

Reefer / Refrigerated Cargo

Temperature-controlled cargo — fruit, meat, fish. Requires refrigeration system knowledge. Smaller fleet than container ships but steady employment for experienced crew.

Extra cert
Refrigeration eng
Contract
4–7 months
Chief Eng
$7,500–10,000

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