Pilot
Role description
A pilot is responsible for guiding vessels into and around the port. Many pilots have a specialisation. You could be a sea pilot, river pilot or port pilot.
The work of a pilot can also vary. You could pilot vessels remotely, using radar images for example. You could operate the pilot boat that guides vessels between the sea and the port. Or stand on the bridge of a vessel and instruct its master and helmsman.
You will know the port and the waterways inside out. Think of where any shallow water, hazards, tides, locks and other traffic routes on the water lie.
As a pilot, you are also often involved in planning changes to the port or shipping routes.
Prior training
Depending on the type of pilotage work, you need to have had the right maritime training.
Progression opportunities
There is a wide range of specialisations available in pilotage.
Port operations officer
Role description
You will primarily ensure that the loading and unloading of vessels runs smoothly, using a fork-lift truck where necessary. You are a vital link in the chain. After all, time is money. You check the picking lists and handle the administration.
Of course, you come into contact with a lot of other employees, both at the port and on board vessels. And you will need to speak English, which you will have learnt as part of your studies.
Requirements
- Pre-vocational secondary education (VMBO)
- You could take a sandwich course for a port worker level 1 or 2 through a Regional Community College such as the Nova College
- You have taken a health & safety course at level VVA1
Progression opportunities
You can progress to the role of bridge crane operator, team leader or process coordinator.
Employers
Through Stichting BORA, you could work for Ter Haak Group (United Stevedores), IGMA, OBA, Ceres or VCK.
Port worker – general control
Role description
This job is carried out for a stevedoring company. You perform administrative checks in the field of quality and health, safety and environmental legislation. You check goods for the make, quantity and damage, and process the associated documents.
It is also your job to digitally make sure the fork-lift truck driver knows where to move the goods. You also need to label the goods and record the stevedoring plans.
At the gate, you check materials delivered (such as trailers) for damage. You ensure that loading and unloading information is accurate. And you supervise third-party access and compliance with security and customs directives.
Requirements
Pre-vocational secondary education (VMBO) / Safety Checklist for Contractors / Internal training for checking loads
Progression opportunities
You could expand your role to load controller or crane operator, or stevedoring manager or team leader
Employers
Include VCK
Ship broker/shipping agent
Role description
As a ship broker or shipping agent, you are the point of contact at the port for one or more shipping companies.
You oversee loading and unloading of vessels and ensure that goods are stored and transported. You take care of all the formalities for the vessel and its cargo with the various authorities. Such as pilotage, the port company, customs, goods handlers, shippers and freight forwarders.
Often, you will also take care of the crew of the vessel, including responsibility for wages, medical care and supplies. Sometimes you need to sort out visas, flights and hotel accommodation.
Everything needs to be done as quickly as possible, otherwise the ship can’t leave the port. You will be working under pressure at all times.
As a tramp shipbroker, you run your own business and need to organise your own work. As a line shipbroker, you do the same work. But then you are employed by a shipping company and have customers assigned to you.
Requirements
Secondary vocational education (MBO) level 4
Spray painter
Role description
The term spray painter says it all. You operate the machines to apply primer and paint to cars. You read the drawings yourself and tape down the parts that are not meant to be sprayed.
The work requires the utmost concentration when it comes to preparing the equipment and paint, as you need to get the exact mixing ratio and the right thickness.
Moreover, you test the colours and quality, and rectify minor faults. You also need to clean and maintain the spray gun, the drying and blasting cabin, paint mixer and degreasing machine.
Requirements
- Secondary vocational education (MBO)
- You have an interest in technology and master painting techniques like Airmix, HVLP and electrostatic spraying
- Some companies offer (paid) sandwich courses through the Regional Community College
Typical salary
- Starting scale €1,650 per month
- Up to €2,000 per month
Employers
Include Hitachi and Koopman Car Terminal
Stevedore
Role description
Stevedore is the maritime term for someone who loads and unloads vessels. You never work alone. Most of the time you will be working as part of a team, led by a chief stevedore.
The work is as varied as the goods are. You could be dealing with bags, then barrels, boxes or rolls, and working with nets, slings, pallets or racks. Car-carrying ships also involve another degree of variety (see car logistics operator).
As a stevedore, you are the eyes and ears of the crane operator. You give them instructions on where to lift the goods and how, using a radio and hand signals.
It is your job to ensure that the goods are firmly secured to the crane or ship. As a stevedore, safety is your number 1 priority.
Stevedoring manager
Role description
You are a member of the management team of a port company that focuses on international transport, logistics and storage.
It is a versatile role with a lot of responsibility. You draw up annual plans and budgets. You help to establish collective agreements. And you check that the daily administrative and operational processes are being conducted in accordance with ISO, VCA, ISPS and other standards.
Additionally, you are responsible for the recruitment, training and absenteeism policies. And you are equally involved in customer acquisition and ICT.
In a nutshell, as a stevedoring manager, you are responsible for all the day-to-day processes of the operational part of the business.
Requirements
- You have a completed education beyond higher professional (HBO) level
- You have at least 5 years of relevant work experience, preferably in logistics
- You love working with technical and ICT developments
- You hold some specific management certificates, such as a valid VCA diploma for managers
- Also important: you speak and write fluent English
Team leader
Role description
As a team leader, you are in charge of the day's operations, such as loading, unloading, moving, storing and forwarding goods. You manage a team of your own people and temporary staff, and hold performance reviews.
It is your responsibility to give proper instructions and ensure high-quality work is carried out efficiently. You liaise with other team leaders to coordinate tasks. You also make sure quality, safety, environment and health regulations are complied with.
Requirements
- Secondary vocational education (MBO)
- Expertise in logistic processes, loading, unloading and storage
- Specialist middle management course or training
- Safety Checklist for Contractors (VCA) diploma for managers
- Emergency response (BHV) certificate
Progression opportunities
Assistant head of operations and planning
Employers
Include VCK
Water clerk
Role description
As a water clerk you work for a shipping company or ship broker. Your job above all is to ensure that a ship spends as little time at port as necessary. Think of it like race car making a pit stop. It is all about planning efficiently and a lot of organising. Where at sea are the vessels and which ports do they need to be at?
You maintain contact with the captain, usually in a foreign language. You arrange customs clearance for arriving and departing vessels, call for the teams and pilots required, and make sure the documentation in order. You also ensure that the stevedores, shippers and unloaders are all ready to perform their tasks. Plus, you check that the vessel has enough supplies for its next voyage.
Requirements
Higher professional level (HBO) / Scientific level (WO) in freight forwarding, distribution, transport or logistics management
Typical salary
- Starting scale € 1,750 per month
- Up to € 2,100 per month
Progression opportunities
Chief water clerk
Welder
Role description
Not all welding is the same. That is why you will find all different kinds of welders at the port. You have bench, construction, plate and pipe welders, as well as welders who work at different levels.
Many welders are used to repair and maintain vessels (even underwater!), but a lot of your work will be carried out on the quay. In any case, as a welder you join metal parts and components together by creating welding joints.
You will also cut, grind, sand and model the metal parts according to diagrams and drawings. After carrying out the welding, you check that the size and quality is right. Of course, you are also responsible for maintaining and cleaning the tools, jigs and measuring equipment.
Requirements
- Secondary vocational education (MBO)
- Knowledge and experience in MIG/MAG welding at NIL level 2 or 3 as a minimum
- Any knowledge of other welding processes, such as TIG and electric welding, is a bonus
- Many companies offer sandwich courses
Typical salary
- Starting scale € 1,750 per month
- Up to € 2,100 per month
Progression opportunities
Welders are always in demand. You can progress to become a senior welder or a welding foreman. There are a huge number of opportunities to specialise in this field, such becoming an underwater welder.
Employers
Include Shipdock and Hitachi.
Welding foreman
Role description
As a welding foreman, you carry out welding such as electrode welding or MIG welding at level 3 or 4. In addition, you handle the project management for the team of welders that you work with (4-8 people). You coordinate the work, taking into account your team’s experience, their schedules and the urgency of the job.
You issue instructions to your colleagues, help them with technical problems, take care of the planning and keeping track of the hours worked. You also check the quality of the work, using ultrasonic and x-ray equipment, for example. And of course you serve as the point of contact for the subcontractor, controller and the welding manager.
Typical salary
- Starting scale € 1,900 per month
- Up to € 2,300 per month
Employers
Include Shipdock and Hitachi.
