Container Ship Jobs - What Are They and How to Get One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

Container ship jobs focus on the operation and maintenance of cargo vessels. Your job duties and responsibilities depend on the career that you choose to pursue. An entry-level crew position is a deckhand or “ordinary seaman.” These positions focus on menial tasks related to ship operation and cargo maintenance. A steward position involves working to cook and clean in the galley. Mechanics and engine room staff maintain the ship’s equipment. Mates perform tasks like helping the captain navigate and steer the ship. A mate may also oversee various deck operations.

The qualifications that you need to work on a container ship or other cargo transport vessel depend on your career plans. All positions require a high school diploma, a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), a Merchant Mariner's Credential (MMC) from the Coast Guard, and, if you work internationally, a Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW). You need to have travel documents, such as a passport. In addition to certifications that prove your seagoing skills, you need to pass a medical exam that shows that you are fit to travel on a seagoing vessel.