Maritime
Professional Careers Aboard Merchant and Support Vessels
Merchant maritime work supports the movement of cargo, passengers, and offshore or port operations. It is separate from capture fisheries and follows the operating structure of commercial and support vessels.
Candidates need shipboard discipline, safety awareness, clear communication, and the competence required for a specific deck, engine, or service position.
Maritime
About this sector
The sector includes merchant ships and maritime support vessels operating under defined watchkeeping, maintenance, safety, and reporting systems.
Deck personnel may support navigation watches, mooring, cargo-related tasks, and deck maintenance. Engine personnel may monitor machinery, perform maintenance, and keep technical spaces safe. Actual responsibilities depend on rank and vessel.
Work can involve extended periods aboard, rotating watches, confined machinery spaces, weather exposure, and multicultural crews.
Why consider this career
Apply technical or seamanship skills in structured vessel operations.
Develop safety, watchkeeping, maintenance, and communication competence.
Build documented sea service relevant to future maritime progression where applicable.
Typical roles
These are realistic occupation examples. They are not a list of currently open vacancies through ABP.
- Ordinary or able seafarer (deck)
- Deck officer
- Oiler or engine rating
- Marine engineer
- Fitter or welder
- Steward or cook
General registration requirements
Final eligibility depends on the position, employer, destination, applicable law, and the requirements of an approved recruitment program.
Identity and documentation
- Valid identity documents.
- Passport and Seafarer’s Book where required.
Health and fitness
- Medical fitness appropriate to shipboard duties, as required.
Education and skills
- Education, competency, and safety training appropriate to the position.
- STCW-related certificates when required for the role, vessel, or destination.
Experience and certifications
- Documented sea service or technical experience where the position requires it.
- Safe communication and ability to follow the chain of command.
Employer and country-specific requirements
- Rank, flag-state, vessel, employer, and destination requirements apply to each recruitment program.
Before you register
- Verify seafarer document validity.
- Prepare sea-service and rank records.
- Match certificates to the role rather than assuming one standard fits every vessel.
- Review watchkeeping, emergency, and onboard communication practices.
ABP Manpower
Register your interest
Use ABP’s official registration system to submit your profile and interest for relevant recruitment programs.
Important information
The roles shown are career examples, not active vacancies. Eligibility, vacancies, destinations, employer selection, and final requirements depend on actual approved recruitment programs and applicable regulations. Registration does not guarantee placement.