The employment with ocean carriers has evolved over the years. The traditional jobs aboard
ocean-going vessels still apply job descriptions like first officer or second assistant engineer.However, operations have become globalized. Maritime containerization has grown to be a major mode of cargo transport. Intermodal operations interfacing with rail and truck transportation have introduced disciplines such as freight forwarding, logistics, and operations management.
As the maritime industry expands, more employment opportunities become available. Jobs can be found in traditional carrier companies or in carriers that offer training programs to qualified candidates who want increasing responsibilities.
Because of the growth of the land-based operations, these companies have opportunities for analysts, accountants, auditors and surveyors, claims adjustment for damaged cargo and others.
Cargo may be broken in transit. It may have been exposed to salt water. Or steel may have been exposed to excessive moisture, where it sustained rust damage. Such losses require cargo surveyors and claims adjustors to reconcile the monetary losses with insurance carriers, subrogation companies and recipients of the cargo.
The jobs offered by these companies are diverse and multidisciplinary. Some will require a degree in engineering, or possibly qualification in refrigeration. Others may require expertise the rules of COGSA (Carriage of Goods by Sea Act), surveyor reports, bills of lading, letters of credit, and certain sections of the Uniform Commercial Code. Others may require familiarity with the latest software for accounting and auditing.
Many backgrounds and disciplines are sought by large ocean carriers today.
