The container fleet remains one of the most attractive areas of employment for Ukrainian seafarers. The Maritime Telegraph has prepared an overview of shipping companies that work with Ukrainian crewing agencies or have their own offices in Ukraine.
A.P. Moller – Maersk
A.P. Moller – Maersk is a Danish shipping company founded in 1904. Over more than a century, it has grown into one of the world’s largest container shipping operators. Today, the company not only operates one of the world’s largest container fleets, but also develops logistics services, terminals and port infrastructure, offering customers a complete range of cargo delivery services.
At present, 33 new container ships are under construction, while another eight vessels with a capacity of 18,600 TEU have been ordered and are expected to enter service in 2029–2030. This shows that Maersk plans to continue expanding and will maintain its need for qualified crews.
Employment Opportunities
Maersk currently offers positions to Ukrainian officers. Fourth Engineer is among the positions that regularly appear in current vacancies, giving young engineers an opportunity to start a career with an international company.
In 2025 alone, more than 150 Ukrainian seafarers were placed on Maersk vessels through Alpha Navigation. At the same time, the company has one of the highest rejoining rates: according to internal statistics, around 99% of seafarers return to Maersk after completing their first contract.
What does Maersk offer?
In addition to competitive salaries, Maersk offers a comprehensive system of social benefits and support. The company provides medical insurance for the seafarer and their family members, as well as access to psychological support programmes.
Ukrainian seafarers can join Maersk through Alpha Navigation, the company’s exclusive partner in Ukraine for crew recruitment and placement.
Employees can also receive various bonuses, which add to their basic income and support long-term cooperation with the company. When setting a seafarer’s salary, Maersk considers their full professional experience, not only their time working for the company.
How can you join Maersk?
Ukrainian seafarers can join Maersk through Alpha Navigation, the company’s exclusive partner in Ukraine for crew recruitment and placement.
MSC
MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) is a Swiss shipping company founded in 1970. Today, it is the world’s largest container carrier, with more than 1,000 vessels under management. The company operates hundreds of trade routes and continues to expand its fleet, including by ordering new high-capacity container ships.
Employment Opportunities
MSC Crewing Services Ukraine regularly publishes vacancies for both officers and ratings. The company considers candidates for almost all major positions in the deck, engine and catering departments. This wide range of vacancies gives both experienced seafarers and those starting their careers in the container fleet an opportunity to find employment.
What salary can seafarers expect?
MSC does not publish a single salary scale. However, salary information is available from vacancies published in open sources.
Captains and Chief Engineers can expect salaries starting from USD 9,500 per month, while Chief Officers can earn from USD 7,500. The salary for an Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) starts from USD 5,500. For junior officers, the starting salary is USD 4,188 for a Second Officer and USD 3,227 for a Third Officer or Fourth Engineer.
MSC also regularly opens vacancies for ratings. According to published offers, a Deck Fitter can earn from USD 2,000, a Cook from USD 1,992, a Motorman 1st Class from USD 1,724, a Mess Boy from USD 1,588, and a Wiper from USD 1,273 per month.
What does MSC offer?
On the official page of its Ukrainian office, the company states that it provides accident insurance for seafarers and participation in a pension programme. Other benefits, such as family medical insurance, certificate reimbursement or psychological support, are not mentioned in publicly available sources.
Cadet programme
MSC actively develops its cadet programme and offers placements in all three main areas: Deck, Engine and Electrical. With one of the world’s largest container fleets and continued fleet expansion, the company regularly needs new officers and therefore pays considerable attention to training young specialists.
The standard cadet contract lasts six months, with a monthly allowance of USD 363 for all three departments. The company also reimburses the cost of the medical examination and provides cadets with medical insurance for the duration of the contract. The insurance covers most medical cases, excluding treatment of chronic conditions and dental care.
After successfully completing their sea training, cadets can continue their careers with the company and work towards officer positions as they gain the required experience.
How can you join MSC?
Ukrainian seafarers can apply through MSC Crewing Services Ukraine, the company’s official representative in Ukraine responsible for crew recruitment and support.
CMA SHIPS
CMA SHIPS is the ship management company of French group CMA CGM, one of the world’s largest container shipping companies. Today, the group operates more than 350 owned vessels, while more than 650 vessels are under technical management. More than 13,000 seafarers from around the world work on the company’s vessels. With its large fleet and continuously expanding network of routes, CMA SHIPS remains one of the major employers in the container shipping sector.
Employment Opportunities
CMA SHIPS accepts Ukrainian seafarers for almost all positions in the deck, engine and rating departments. The company regularly recruits officers, ratings and cadets, allowing seafarers to build their careers within the company from an early stage.
Current vacancies often include Fourth Engineer and Assistant Electrician, as well as cadet positions, giving young specialists an opportunity to gain their first experience and later move to higher positions.
What salary can seafarers expect?
CMA SHIPS does not publish an official salary scale, but approximate salaries can be found in publicly available vacancies.
A Second Engineer can earn around USD 8,358 per month, while a Third Engineer earns around USD 4,338. Third Officer and Fourth Engineer positions offer around USD 3,950 per month on a standard four-month contract.
For ratings, pay also depends on the position. An Able Seaman (AB) earns around USD 1,835 per month, a Messman around USD 1,447, while an Assistant Electrician can earn between USD 1,579 and USD 2,340, depending on qualifications and contract conditions.
Cadet programme
CMA SHIPS Ukraine has a cadet training programme. Candidates with no previous experience normally complete two cadet contracts, while seafarers who already have sea training experience may need only one contract. The exact number may vary depending on each cadet’s experience and progress. After successfully completing the programme, cadets can continue their professional development and work towards promotion to officer positions within the company.
The cadet salary is disclosed after the interview and candidate assessment.
How can you join CMA SHIPS?
Ukrainian seafarers can apply through CMA SHIPS Ukraine, the company’s official Ukrainian representative responsible for crew recruitment for vessels of the CMA CGM Group.
Seaspan Ship Management
Seaspan Ship Management is an international shipping company founded in 2000. Its headquarters are in Vancouver, Canada, and its main business is the management of modern container vessels.
Today, Seaspan manages the world’s largest fleet of container ships operating under long-term charter contracts. Its fully developed fleet includes 227 vessels with a total capacity of around 2.4 million TEU. In addition to container ships, Seaspan has expanded into the PCTC, gas carrier and specialised dry bulk sectors.
Employment Opportunities
One of Seaspan’s advantages is the opportunity to work across the company’s entire fleet of more than 200 modern container vessels. Ukrainian seafarers can apply for a wide range of officer positions, from Fourth Officer, Fourth Engineer and Fifth Engineer to senior officer positions.
Thanks to its large and growing fleet, Seaspan regularly recruits new seafarers for different positions. The company also supports professional development, allowing crew members to move to larger vessels and modern container ships with dual-fuel engines, helping them gain wider experience and develop their careers.
What salary can seafarers expect?
Salary at Seaspan depends on the position, the seafarer’s experience and contract conditions. According to current data, a Captain can earn up to USD 11,200 per month, while a Chief Engineer can earn up to USD 11,100.
For senior officers, the rates are around USD 8,450 for both Chief Officer and Second Engineer. A Second Officer earns USD 4,460, while an Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) earns USD 6,600 per month.
When determining salary, Seaspan also considers the seafarer’s previous professional experience, including experience gained with other shipping companies.
What does Seaspan offer?
In addition to stable employment and career opportunities, Seaspan offers a wide range of social benefits.
Seafarers receive medical insurance that covers both themselves and their family members. At present, the programme covers Ukraine and Romania. The company plans to expand it so that seafarers can use the insurance regardless of their city of residence.
The company also invests in crew training. Seafarers can receive paid training for work on dual-fuel vessels, as well as additional professional training that helps them develop their skills and progress in their careers.
Seaspan also pays attention to its corporate culture. The company regularly organises events for seafarers and their families, including meetings, forums, sports and entertainment activities.
Another advantage is its bonus system. Additional payments are available for the first contract, rejoining, work on scrubber-fitted and dual-fuel vessels, obtaining a new diploma, and successfully completing professional training courses.
How can you join Seaspan?
Ukrainian seafarers can join Seaspan through Alpha Navigation, which has been one of the company’s crew recruitment partners in Ukraine since 2013.
Wilhelmsen Ship Management
Wilhelmsen Ship Management is an international company with Norwegian roots and part of the Wilhelmsen Group, whose history dates back to 1861. Today, the company provides technical ship management, crew recruitment and fleet management services for shipowners around the world.
Following the acquisition of Zeaborn Ship Management in 2024, the company significantly expanded its ship management business. Today, Wilhelmsen Ship Management provides technical management, crewing and ship management services for different types of vessels, including container ships, car carriers (Ro-Ro/PCTC), bulk carriers, tankers, LNG and LPG carriers, chemical tankers, passenger vessels and offshore vessels. This wide range gives seafarers opportunities to develop not only in the container sector but also on other vessel types.
Employment Opportunities
Wilhelmsen Ship Management actively recruits Ukrainian seafarers for its container fleet. Ukrainian crews currently work on around 70 container vessels managed by the company. In 2025 alone, around 400 Ukrainian seafarers were placed with the company through Alpha Navigation. The company regularly adds new crew members, creating employment opportunities for Ukrainian seafarers.
Recruitment is mainly focused on officer positions. The company regularly considers candidates for Fourth Engineer and junior officer positions. There are also vacancies for Assistant Electrical Engineer, offering opportunities for specialists in the electrical department.
Vacancies for ratings are much less common, so the main focus is on officers and junior specialists.
For those starting their maritime careers, Wilhelmsen Ship Management has a cadet programme. The company accepts Deck, Engine and Electrical Cadets, allowing future officers to gain their first experience on modern container vessels and continue their professional development within the company.
Another point in the company’s favour is its high rejoining rate. Almost all seafarers stay with Wilhelmsen Ship Management after their first contract, and many continue working with the company on a back-to-back basis, regularly returning to its vessels.
What salary can seafarers expect?
Salary at Wilhelmsen Ship Management depends on the position, the seafarer’s experience and contract conditions. According to current data, a Captain earns USD 9,800–11,150 per month, while a Chief Engineer earns USD 9,750–11,050. A Chief Officer earns USD 8,050–9,150, while a Second Engineer earns around USD 9,150.
Among junior officers, a Second Officer can expect USD 4,000–4,700, while an Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) earns USD 6,500–7,750 per month.
The company also periodically opens vacancies for Assistant Electro-Technical Officers, with salaries of around USD 1,700. For cadets in the Deck, Engine and Electrical departments, the monthly rate is USD 557. This can be an opportunity for specialists starting their careers in the electrical department.
Although Wilhelmsen Ship Management mainly focuses on officers, vacancies for ratings are also available from time to time. Able Seaman (AB) and Oiler/Motorman positions pay around USD 2,000, Ordinary Seaman (OS) around USD 1,700, and Fitter around USD 2,600. However, such vacancies are much less common than officer positions.
What does Wilhelmsen offer?
The company provides medical insurance for seafarers, medical insurance for family members, and life insurance.
To support professional development, the company provides paid training and partially reimburses the cost of certificates required under its internal requirements matrix. Medical examinations are also fully paid by the company, helping seafarers reduce their expenses before joining a vessel.
Another advantage is the company’s bonus system, which provides additional payments under its internal programmes. Combined with professional development opportunities and long-term cooperation, this makes Wilhelmsen Ship Management an attractive employer for Ukrainian seafarers.
How can you join Wilhelmsen Ship Management?
Ukrainian seafarers can join Wilhelmsen Ship Management through Alpha Navigation, which is the company’s crew recruitment partner for the container fleet.
In addition, Wilhelmsen has its own representative office in Ukraine – Wilhelmsen Marine Personnel (Ukraine) Ltd. in Odesa – which also recruits and supports seafarers working on vessels managed by Wilhelmsen.
Enesel
Enesel Group is a Greek shipping group with one of the longest histories in the maritime industry. The company traces its history back to 1848 and today consists of seven shipping companies managing a modern fleet that includes container ships, tankers and bulk carriers.
Through its cooperation with Enesel, Alpha Navigation recruits Ukrainian seafarers for 14 container vessels under the company’s technical management. During 2025 alone, around 100 new Ukrainian seafarers were placed with the company through Alpha Navigation. Today, a total of 220 Alpha Navigation seafarers either work for Enesel or are between contracts while continuing their cooperation with the company.
Employment Opportunities
Enesel regularly recruits Ukrainian seafarers for both deck and engine departments. The company considers candidates for officer positions, including Fourth Engineer and Assistant Electro-Technical Officer, and also recruits Deck, Engine and Electrical Cadets.
The Junior Officer position exists within the company, but Enesel does not recruit candidates directly for this position from outside. Seafarers usually move into the role through internal career development after successfully completing their training as a Deck Cadet. Many seafarers progress from cadet to officer while continuing to work on Enesel vessels for many years.
Employment Opportunities
Enesel regularly recruits Ukrainian seafarers for both deck and engine departments. The company considers candidates for officer positions, including Fourth Engineer and Assistant Electro-Technical Officer, and also recruits Deck, Engine and Electrical Cadets.
The Junior Officer position exists within the company, but Enesel does not recruit candidates directly for this position from outside. Seafarers usually move into the role through internal career development after successfully completing their training as a Deck Cadet. Many seafarers progress from cadet to officer while continuing to work on Enesel vessels for many years.
What salary can seafarers expect?
Salary at Enesel depends on the position and contract conditions. According to company data, Captains and Chief Engineers earn USD 11,000–11,700 per month. For Chief Officers and Second Engineers, the salary is USD 8,500–9,000. A Second Officer earns around USD 4,100 per month, while an Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) earns USD 7,500–8,000. For those just starting their career, Enesel offers a monthly cadet rate of USD 600 across the Deck, Engine and Electrical departments.
What does Enesel offer?
During their time on board, seafarers receive medical insurance and life insurance. Enesel also has a bonus system that includes a Loyalty Bonus for seafarers who continue working with the company, as well as a Performance Bonus, an annual bonus for seafarers holding the top five positions on board.
The company also places strong emphasis on training. Enesel fully pays for mandatory courses and training required to work on its vessels and reimburses the cost of additional certificates included in its internal requirements matrix. This allows seafarers to regularly improve their qualifications without significant additional costs.
How can you join Enesel?
Ukrainian seafarers can join Enesel through Alpha Navigation, which has been cooperating with the company since 2013.
Zodiac Maritime
Zodiac Maritime is a London-headquartered shipping company established in 1976. Today, the company operates a diverse fleet of around 200 vessels and is supported by more than 6,500 seafarers from over 25 nationalities. Its fleet includes containerships, bulk carriers, PCTCs, LPG carriers, chemical tankers, product tankers and crude oil tankers.
Employment Opportunities
Zodiac Maritime mainly recruits officers for its fleet. In 2025–2026, Ukrainian seafarers were placed in positions including Captain, Chief Officer, Second and Third Officer, Chief Engineer, Second, Third and Fourth Engineer, and Electro-Technical Officer (ETO). Vacancies for ratings appear much less frequently.
The company does not regularly publish open vacancies with salary information, so there is not enough reliable public data to provide a current salary range for the main ranks.
What does Zodiac Maritime offer?
Zodiac Maritime has a number of programmes aimed at supporting long-term cooperation with its crew. The company offers a scholarship programme for the children of seafarers who have continuously worked with Zodiac Maritime for more than five years. Each year, the company awards a number of scholarships to support their children’s education.
According to information published on the company’s careers page, eligible crew members may participate in a retirement benefit scheme.
Zodiac Maritime also places emphasis on professional development. Its training programmes include safety, navigation and environmental courses, onboard workshops and training at local offices and the company’s London headquarters. The company also supports career progression from Deck Cadet to Master and from technical positions to shore-based management roles.
Cadet Programme
Zodiac Maritime has an active international cadet programme open to all nationalities. The company recruits Deck, Engine and Electrical Cadets and offers training across its diverse fleet. According to the company’s cadet programme, Engine Cadets can progress towards junior engineer positions, while Electrical Cadets can continue towards careers as Electro-Technical Engineers.
In 2025, Zodiac Maritime highlighted its cadetship programmes in the UK and internationally, combining onboard experience with formal training.
How can you join Zodiac Maritime?
Zodiac Maritime works with local manning offices to recruit seafarers in different countries. In Ukraine, the company has worked through ISI Odessa, which until recently served as its local manning office. According to information received directly from ISI Odessa, the office is currently closing. At the time of publication, no new Ukrainian representative office has been confirmed.
