Entry into the Merchant Shipping Industry as a Beginner – Advice Needed - Opportunities in the UAE, Malaysia, Indonesia or Abroad

Maritime Employment
1

I am a German citizen in my early 20s living in Germany with a German school-leaving qualification. I am interested in starting a career in the merchant shipping/maritime industry, preferably in Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia or another suitable country.

I currently have no prior experience in this field and would like to ask whether it is generally possible to enter this industry as a beginner. What entry routes or training programs would you recommend for someone in my situation?

Thank you in advance for any guidance

2

Are you looking at a seagoing or shore based career?
The starting point and required training/education would be VERY different.

3

At the moment, I am mainly interested in a seagoing career. I am still in my early 20s, enjoy ships, and do not have major family commitments yet, so working at sea seems like a good opportunity to gain experience and build some savings.

In the longer term, I could also see myself moving into a shore-based role in the maritime industry, such as port operations or logistics, but for now my main interest is working at sea.

4

Well, then the questions are:

  • Deck, Engine room or Catering?
  • Type of ship preferred, if any?
  • Any specific trade preferred, if any?

I noticed you mentioned “Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, or another suitable country”.
Ships trading to the named countries are plentiful, but hardly likely to be an entry level choice, at least if you expect German level wages.

You may be wise to look at German/EU-flag vessels in shortsea trade as the stepping stone into seafaring. That also give you a change to try seafaring life to find out it is ACTUALLY what you would like to do.

PS: If you are dreaming of visiting exotic countries in Asia, " or other suitable countries", you are probably better off getting a well paying job nearer to home, save and take your generous holidays travelling to those places. :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

FYI: Ships today usually don’t spend much time in ports. They are often loading/discharging at remote location, far from any interesting site.

5

Thank you for your advice.

I think deck work would suit me best.

My goal is mainly to gain experience, save money over the next 2–3 years and eventually move to another country. I understand that starting on a German or EU vessel may be the most realistic and structured way to enter the industry.

I am aware that I will need to start from the beginning and build up experience step by step, and I also know that completing the basic STCW certification is a required first step.

From your perspective, what would be the full set of requirements or courses I should complete before applying for entry-level deck positions? And what would be the most realistic first step to actually get started in the industry?

6

Herr Bugge.

You surely offered a good advise to a young man , what can only be appreciated.
Helping hand is always needed in such situation, mentoring and other roadmaps.

But do you truly believe, that a young German bursche is so oblivious, that he is living in a country with hundreds of years of maritime history and tradition, that created and built Hanseatic towns/cities all the way to Pomeren und Estland along the Ostsee , that had merchant and navy traditions of world domination in the past , and merchant in the present or recent years.

Country, that has more owners , maritime organisations , brokerages, agents , NVOCCs ,charterers , top notch member of IACS offices in Hamburg alone,then all Spätkauf, die Bierläden, die Getränkemärkte and trinkhalle combined.

Do you believe , that a Junge having minimum secondary if not terciary education , computer , internet savvy beyond immagination of old farts like me, has not heard the name Hapag Lloyd and has no idea how to hit google, what is as easy as pie and as easy as saying " Ein Bier vom Fass, bitte " und “ “zum wohl!” and get all necessary , pertinent , relevant info including Halal food o/b or Kosher food or any other food availability und internet access too.

German Owners are nawadays desperate to get hold of any German young ppl and incorporate them into their fleets under German or FOC.

Therefore I find an inquiry about jobs on American , private site and forum that is not much concerned about the other worlds poroblems/affairs , as extremely, if not hilarious, then bizarre.

image
image1172×491 65.5 KB
Have a great day.

7

I would suggest for the moment until YOU KNOW this is what you want to do is to go to several large ports in Germany and get some ferry and or tug boat /work boat experience to see if you really like it. then you can’t set your sights on Blue Water Work