Seaman job sites have become the new normal for sea-based job applications. This was the kind of hiring process that I preferred ten years ago.
Actually, I tried this approach a few years back. I emailed 100+ local manning agencies, hoping to get hired. Only a handful of them responded, and they all wanted me in their offices to check my documents.
Well, I did go to their office. A two-hour wait ended up with a two-minute meeting with the crewing manager.
Many times, the ending conversation was like,
“I’ll just call you”.
Of course, we know that won’t happen most of the time. The Bosun who applied with me shared a similar fate.
Shift to Online Hiring Process
But now, manning agencies give serious attention to seafarers looking for employment using online tools. Many seaman apps and websites became the hotspots for job applications.
Whether domestic, international, onshore, or offshore maritime career, you can get hired over the Internet. Tugboats, tankers, containerships, or barges, you can find them there.
What’s interesting is that you can clearly see their requirements and even the salary of seafarers they’re hiring.
Below are a few websites and apps that constantly update their systems and databases to cope with the changing landscape of the online hiring process.
Web-based Seaman Jobsites for Seafarers and Manning Agencies
Here are lists of a few websites providing jobs for seafarers and a hiring portal for manning agencies. Some are based worldwide, while others focus on a specific country.
But since this is an online job market, your application as a seaman crosses borders. It’s also true for manning agencies as well. Even the largest shipping companies in the world source their talents over the web.
1. Seaman Jobsite Workabroad PH: The fastest way to get on board
Previously called Seaman Jobsite, this website is the number one online job portal for seafarers and manning agencies in the Philippines.
Their simple interface helps you find the jobs you’re looking for. I often hear my colleagues talking about job opportunities using Seaman Jobsite.
Since its inception with Workabroad PH, the site now has land-based job portals as well.
2. Maritime Zone: Jobs at Sea
Hosted in Lithuania, Maritime Zone has a database of over 195,000 seafarers, 3,100 vacancies, and over 1,500 companies.
Their platform also publishes insightful, informative content for seafarers and land-based workers.
Maritime Zone focuses their job portal opportunities on Eastern European seafarers, particularly in Ukraine and Russia.
From the ranks of captains to cadets, you can readily view the jobs available without the need to log in.
3. Crewlinker
Crewlinker is a Netherlands-based online hiring platform that connects seafarers and manning agencies from all over the world.
What I like about their website is its simple, user-focused interface.
Now, many of us want to know how much we’re getting before applying for the position. With Crewlinker, you can immediately see the salary range of a certain job post in addition to the type of ship and trading area.
Their eight-person team uses high-tech software and AI to make the maritime recruitment process as efficient as possible.
A post-pandemic seafarer job site, their platform is also rich with articles like job guides, news and updates, and tips on using their site.
4. All Cruise Jobs: The global cruise job board
Most cruise ship companies have hiring partners in local countries. But this one crosses borders.
Claimed as the biggest job board specializing in cruise line jobs, All Cruise Jobs contains 1,200 cruise ship jobs from 89 recruiters.
Previously, it was part of the Free Guide to Cruise Ship Jobs in 2000, warning job seekers about the different recruitment schemes used by scammers.
The job section was entirely separated from its site in 2008 and became a professional job board in 2009.
This company is registered in England and Wales. Due to their advocacy to help job seekers, you are guaranteed that no employment scams are advertised here.
5. OceanCrew: Maritime and offshore jobs
OceanCrew offers one of the best maritime vacancies in the area. They specialize in five industry sectors, namely Offshore jobs, Merchant jobs, Drilling jobs, Catering, and Cruise and Yachts.
What’s impressive is their array of deck and engine jobs to search for. Like a few seaman job sites, they do not post much about open employment in the cruise line industry.
OceanCrew also has an Android app available. The iOS version was a bit buggy the last time I checked it.
6. Sea Career: The gateway to your career at sea
Sea Career started as part of All Cruise Jobs (ACJ). In 2014, it merged with Marine Jobs UK to form the industry’s leading job board.
Just like ACB, they are also very keen on keeping legitimate job postings. They impose strict registration rules for recruiters and are only open to genuine employers.
That is one reason why candidates are assured that this portal has no employment scams.
With 485 maritime, offshore jobs, and shoreside jobs from 20 recruiters, SeaCareer is your gateway to your maritime career. They even offer listings of STCW training course providers around the world.
7. Seafair: Democratizing maritime crewing
Seafair is here to disrupt seamen’s crewing process in the maritime industry. As we all know, the seafaring marketplace is vast but heavily fragmented.
Most of the time, the “highest bidder” gets hired first. The application process relies heavily on the backer system. This method favors connections, thereby missing out on applicants with the right skills and potential.
Seafair’s innovative solution involves software tools and online assessment to test seafarer competencies.
They follow a data-driven, transparent vetting process to ensure the recruitment of high-quality seafarers. This avoids bribery, backer systems, and favoritism.
As a start-up company, Seafair is run by shipping advisers, developers, software engineers, marketing experts, and entrepreneurs with experience in companies like Uber, Microsoft, TU Berlin, HP, Oracle, Dell, and Bloomberg.
With offices in New York, the Philippines, and Odessa, the company has a database of 50,000 seafarers and 800 ships.
App-based Seaman Jobsites for Seafarers and Manning Agencies
The websites above are employment portals for the seafaring industry. They connect seafarers and manning agents worldwide to agree on employment terms and contracts.
Next are six Android applications in the Google Play store offering job portals for seafarers. They also show vacant positions needed for different ranks on board.
Starting with a user rank of 4.0, here are job sites for seafarers available on Android apps.
8. Sea Jobs: Merchant, Cruise, Offshore, Fishing
Sea Jobs is a marine crewing service app for ship owners. At the same time, it is also an effective job search engine for seafarers.
This app brings seafarers and ship owners together in one place and allows them to get connected conveniently.
Seafarers can explore vacancies and get in touch with employers. There are hundreds of jobs you can find that match your rank and skills.
Additionally, you can send your CV and scans of marine documents directly to companies of your choice. In this app, you can also adjust your availability date and desired salary.
Seafarers can explore vacancies and get in touch with employers. There are hundreds of jobs you can find that match your rank and skills.
Additionally, you can send your CV and scans of marine documents directly to companies of your choice. In this app, you can also adjust your availability date and desired salary.
9. PH Manning Agencies
Created by Medardo D. Baje Jr., this simple app lists various ship manning agencies in the Philippines with their respective licenses registered in the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (now DMW).
Using PH Manning Agencies app enables you to send an email, make a call, and visit their website. But the most unique part is that you can search for the location with one click.
The app has been reviewed by 110 people, giving 4.7 stars. Based on Playstore, it is downloaded by over 10,000 users and requires an Android version of 4.0.3 and up.
10. Seajob by SEA LINE GROUP
An Indian-based job portal, Seajob offers all types of jobs related to the shipping industry. The government of India accredits most of the companies listed here.
Their app allows you to create a profile complete with personal details, contact details, travel documents, training certificates, and academic records.
The app was updated last March 2024 and currently has 306 reviews out of 50,000 downloads!
Seajob has a website that offers more features in addition to job portals.
What’s Next?
Now, I’m turning it over to you. You have the tools needed to apply for any shipping agency not only in your local country but also around the world.
It’s time to take action. Ships require safe manning levels per SOLAS regulations, which is a good chance for you.
It won’t be easy, and you will surely meet lots of failures. But no matter what, these seaman job sites and apps will be one of your tools to success.
May the winds be in your favor.
A family man, he loves writing, reading, investing, and watching the golden hours while sailing.
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