Marine transportation has become a booming career path over the last decade. The demand for marine transportation services continues to increase due to the rise in global trade. If you want to pursue a career in this field, you should consider some important questions before starting out. Marine transportation is the movement of goods or passengers from one place to another via water. This includes ships, barges, ferries, tugboats, cargo vessels, cruise ships, and passenger liners. There are two main types of marine transportation: commercial and military. Commercial marine transport refers to the movement of goods and passengers between countries. Military marine transport involves moving troops and equipment across oceans and seas. There are several benefits associated with being a marine transportation professional. For starters, you’ll get paid well for your skills and experience. In addition, you’ll enjoy working in a variety of environments, such as ports, harbors, rivers, lakes, and oceans. Lastly, you’ll have access to exciting opportunities for advancement and growth. What Is Maritime Transport?In other cases, the term maritime transport can cover activities before and after shipping. For many centuries, man has used waterways to transport people and merchandise. The marine transportation industry owes its current status to the evolution of international trade and the never-ending exchange of merchandise between countries worldwide. Maritime transport is the primary mode of transport used to ferry raw materials such as crude oil, grains, coal, etc., over long distances. Container ships were created in the 1960s and encouraged the growth of the maritime industry worldwide. As a result, Marine transportation offers you an exciting career because there are many job opportunities and career paths in this sector. Marine Transportation Job DescriptionA career in marine transportation opens you to many opportunities in the sector. The job description will depend on your skill set and what level of training you had in Marine transportation. Generally, seafarers have a few stereotypes; they are said to be independent, have a lone wolf mentality, and have tough skin. Many jobs in this sector fit the descriptions that come to mind, but skills that are not typically associated with this line of work, such as leadership skills, observation skills, communication skills, and transferable skills, are needed. If you dread working a typical nine-to-five job, this might be the career path as it offers flexible hours, and you don’t have to wear the ‘standard’ office attire. What Jobs Can I Find In Marine Transportation?As outlined earlier, there are many job opportunities to consider in the marine transport industry. But, first, let us consider the traditional maritime occupations. First, there are sailors; sailors play a crucial role in maintaining the vessel, operating the deck equipment, loading and offloading merchandise, and keeping a safety watch while at sea. There are marine oilers; marine oilers maintain the engine room as their workplace. They lubricate the engine’s moving parts, monitor gauges, conduct repairs, and schedule maintenance under the close supervision of an engineer. Boat builders and shipwrights are also responsible for the ships’ actual construction, repair, and outfitting. Another Maritime career opportunity in this field is as an importer, exporter, and wholesaler. They are responsible for organizing, directing, and controlling the operations of exporting, importing, and wholesaling establishments. You can expect to identify local and international business opportunities in this field, create and implement business plans, and liaise with distributors and suppliers about products and orders. Another career path is as a marine transport professional. In this position, you will be responsible for managing and controlling the operations of boats, navigational equipment, and ships. There are many other options, such as;
This is to mention a few out of all the other career opportunities available to you based on your career goals in Marine transportation. Requirements And Median Wage Of Marine Transportation WorkersA major factor that draws people into the marine transportation industry is its relatively high wages. Another factor is that many jobs in this sector do not require any formal education requirements. These entry-level career opportunities will enable you to learn on the job with minimal experience in the field. In jobs where you are working officially in maritime transport, you may be required to have a certificate such as the Transport Worker Identification Credential that the Transport Security Administration issues. Where one does not need a college degree for entry-level jobs, better-paying jobs are usually available for degree holders. If you attend a trade school, this is advantageous and can give you an edge in certain careers. Is Marine Transportation A Good Career Path?Yes, a job in maritime transportation can be very rewarding as it offers good pay, a range of opportunities to choose from, and the added advantage of traveling worldwide. You can start from an entry-level position and then get promoted as you gain experience. You get to travel all over the world and explore the open seas, which can bring a lot of excitement into your life. As you do this, you will also get to meet people of different ethnicities and cultures, not to mention all the tasty cuisines worldwide! Working in this industry will give you opportunities such as:
Future Job Outlook In Marine TransportationThe job outlook in the marine transportation industry is vital as we approach 2030, and some estimates even suggest that the industry will see a growth in opportunities. Ship captains and motorboat operators are some of the occupations that show a lot of potential for growth in the maritime transportation industry. Average Salary For Marine Transportation JobsWorking in this sector guarantees you higher pay compared to other industries. In America, the median salary in marine transportation is pegged at $89,113 annually, while entry-level positions generally pay a starting salary of $75,000 per year. The most experienced workforce can expect to take home an annual salary in the ballpark of $118,000. What Does It Take To Work In Maritime Transportation?When considering a job in the Marine industry, it is important to note that the job is very demanding, both physically and emotionally. The jobs can be pretty tough, and you may have to work in cold, dirty, and dangerous work environments. As such, you need to be physically fit and have very high levels of endurance to work for long hours in adverse weather conditions. It will also help if you have sharp vision and hearing, as this can help in adverse weather and identify possible threats such as pirates and icebergs. Decision-making skills and problem-solving abilities are also a plus, especially in stressful conditions. These qualities may seem demanding, but they are necessary because of the uncertain nature of working on the sea. The maritime industry is male-dominated, and this may be a factor to consider if you find this off-putting, whether you are male or female. If you are seeking a high-level career, you may need advanced degrees, technical skills, and an internship in the field you have specialized in. Crew members in this line of work need adequate manual dexterity, and good balance is necessary to move through tight spaces and on wet surfaces. Mariners have to pass hearing and visual tests to get their MMC. Motorboat operators interact with passengers, and they require good customer-service skills to ensure they relate well with customers. Do You Need A Degree To Work In Marine Transportation?No, many jobs in the marine transport industry can be learned after the fact and may not require you to have a degree. Entry-level jobs such as marine welders are skill-based and can be learned through apprenticeship and hands-on experiences. However, if you are striving for a better-paying position, then a degree from an accredited institution would be beneficial. Employers may favor workers that have obtained their degrees from a merchant marine academy. These academy programs offer a bachelor’s degree and a Merchant Mariner Credential. Graduates can also receive the opportunity to commission as an ensign in the Merchant Marine Reserve, US Coast Guard Reserve, and the US Naval Reserve. Entry-level mariners usually train on the job for six months to a year. The length of one’s training depends on the type of vessel and the size of the ship and waterway that they will be working on. A worker looking to work on a deep-sea vessel, for example, will need more training than those who will work on ships that travel on a river. What Type Of Degree Programs Are There For Marine Transportation?A degree program is especially useful if you look to further your career or start a high-level job in this field. There are many degree options to choose from depending on the educational requirement of your career choice. Marine Transportation, B.SThis degree program teaches navigation, cargo storage, handling, and guiding the operation of the onshore and offshore vessels such as cargo ships, container ships, and cruise ships. These degree programs in marine transportation are typically developed to emphasize maritime disciplines and basic engineering lessons while teaching apprentices how to handle themselves and survive on the open seas. What Skills Do You Need To Be Successful In Marine Transportation?Since most of the jobs available are challenging and the work environment is unpredictable, maritime workers have to have a wide range of practical skills to carry out their duties even in a hostile environment and adverse conditions. People And Communication SkillsYou will need to have good people skills. Working in the maritime industry may mean traveling worldwide and interacting with people from different backgrounds. Due to the nature of the job, you will need to cultivate good people skills to interact in a friendly and professional manner with anyone you may encounter. It will help if you are a good listener as this is an effective way of understanding what people want and responding adequately. It would be best if you also control your emotions, especially in confrontations between your colleagues or strangers. CoordinationHand-eye coordination is another key skill that anyone looking to venture into maritime transportation needs to have. Officers and pilots steer the ships, and as they do this, they are constantly observing the horizon of the screens on the dash while simultaneously operating various controls. The engineers and sailors also need good coordination when moving equipment and performing their daily duties. This skill is instrumental when working in adverse weather conditions that may cause the vessel to rock on the rough seas. Onboard commercial vessels or fishing boats, instructions may be passed on verbally between crew members. For example, a fishing line may be snagged on a fishing boat, and the crew will have to communicate to ensure that they get their catch. Therefore, hearing skills are crucial in this line of work, so much so that one has to pass a hearing test before they are licensed to operate. Mechanical SkillsMechanical skills come in handy as you may come across situations that require you to use tools to make simple repairs. All crew members should have some level of mechanical skills, especially those working in crucial areas of the vessel, such as the engine department. The mechanical ability goes hand in hand with physical strength, which is required to load and offload the vessel, and move equipment and supplies in the vessel, among many other duties. Great VisionGood visual ability is vital for anyone looking to join the marine transport career path. You will need excellent vision to carry out your day-to-day duties onboard the vessel. For example, a pilot’s good vision will enable you to scour the horizon effectively and carefully dock the ship, especially in busy ports. Good vision is an industry-standard, and as such, a visual test is carried out before certification. How To Get A Job In The Marine Transportation IndustryIf you have been considering joining this line of work, then acquiring an internship or a summer job would be the best starting point for you to witness what employment in the maritime transport industry looks like. You can start by working as a deckhand on a fishing boat or ferry. While you are here, you should make the most of the opportunity by learning from those in the marine trade and interacting with the people in the field that you are looking to pursue. If you are anticipating a more advanced career path, a sailing course is a good idea, but you should make sure you are up to date on your math and science knowledge to tackle the entry exam. As you are getting ready to enroll in a course, you should ask yourself whether the course aligns with your interests and whether you want to commit to it for the long term. An apprenticeship or a maritime training program can equip you with the required skill set for an entry-level position. Depending on the Marine transportation career you choose, you may only be required to attend a vocational school or obtain on-the-job training. Physical exams and drug tests may also be carried out as part of the requirements to start your career. Whether you choose the education route or the on-the-job training route, a maritime transport career is still one of the best available on the job market today. The Pros Of A Maritime Transportation CareerWhile being away from your loved ones has its drawbacks, venturing out to sea offers lucrative benefits to seafarers that may not be available in other career paths. Long HolidaysWorking in the maritime transport industry means spending a long time away from your family. However, this does not have to be a downside, as it is balanced out by a long vacation period. Seafarers can take up to four months of vacation time every year. Therefore, the extended time off can be used to reconnect and form bonds with your loved ones. Exceptional WagesMaritime transport workers earn higher wages compared to many other career paths. These wages can be tax-free, allowing you to save up and meet your financial goals. While venturing out to sea, you will also save on food and lodging costs as these are already taken care of, enabling you to use your finances on other more important things. Good Long-Term ProspectsWorking in the maritime transport industry prepares you for life after the job by equipping you with leadership and organizational skills that may be highly sought after in other fields of work. In addition, the experience you will have gained working on the seas will also give you a competitive advantage when you look for jobs inland as they know the strength and mental fortitude it takes to operate at sea. Your Work Has An ImpactMaritime transport is vital for the world’s economy as over 90% of worldwide goods are transported by sea. Therefore, the impact on world trade lies in the hands of seafarers tasked with transporting these goods between countries. It Gives You A Unique Job ExperienceMany jobs today are 9-5, and they involve sitting in an office for extended periods throughout the day. The maritime industry breaks this monotony and provides a unique working experience in an ever-changing environment. It also means that you will work with people from different nationalities and enjoy experiences that any other career may not share. It Enables You To Travel The WorldAlthough modern ships have busy work schedules and spend less time in port, a job in the maritime industry allows you to travel to many locations worldwide. This is one of the main reasons to work in this industry, as it exposes you to the real world and allows you to sample different cultures and mouth-watering foods around the world. The Cons Of A Maritime Transport CareerWhile many benefits can be gained from working in this industry, it also comes with its challenges. It Can Be DangerousThere are many possibilities of a crew member getting injured while working on board a vessel. For example, this can happen if a crew member slips and falls on a wet surface, injures themselves while carrying heavy materials, or even a case of seasickness. The threat of piracy is also very real for maritime transport workers As they travel in the open sea. This opens them up to pirates who can board the ships, take the crew hostage and make demands, as is usually the case. Limited Access To Friends And FamilyWhile working at sea, the hectic work hours may leave you a very small window of time to communicate with friends and family back home. As you will be away for extended periods, this can put a strain on families and relationships. High-Pressure EnvironmentAlthough some people thrive in these kinds of environments, they can be very challenging for the majority as there is no room for errors. This is because making mistakes while out at sea can result in injury or even death. Increased Risk Of IllnessSince you are in a confined space for extended periods, illnesses can quickly spread among the crew members, which can present a dire situation if they are unable to receive treatment. For example, if the water system becomes contaminated, then the entire crew risks getting sick and becoming too weak to operate the vessel. ExhaustionWorking out at sea presents many stressful situations that the crew has to contend with, such as bad weather and other unpredictable circumstances. For one to survive in this environment, they have to be very tough both physically and mentally. Frequently Asked QuestionsHow Much Money Do I Stand To Make With A Career In Marine Transport?In general, a career in marine transport offers above-average salaries compared to other fields. In America, the median salary in marine transportation is pegged at $89,113 annually, while entry-level positions generally pay a starting salary of $75,000 per year. The most experienced workforce can expect to take home an annual salary in the ballpark of $118,000. What Skills Do You Need To Have For A Fruitful Career At Sea?The field of work will mainly require you to have a good fitness level, people skills, and mental toughness to undertake your duties effectively. Additional skills will depend on your specific role in the crew. What Are The Best Jobs In Marine Transport?Working as a ship captain, naval architect, or Marine engineer are some of the best and highest-paying jobs in the marine transport industry, but they require you to have a college or advanced degree. What Are The Three Types Of Marine Transportation?This refers to the types of vessels used to facilitate maritime transportation, such as ships, barges, and ferries. Does Marine Transportation Require A Board Exam?Yes, you may have to sit for a board exam such as the Marine Deck Officers Board Exam in some cases. Via https://arrestyourdebt.com/is-marine-transportation-a-good-career-path/
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