Career

The ship’s officers at Hamburg Süd are responsible for ensuring that our ships make the trip across the seas from port to port safely, and getting our customers’ cargo to its destination on time. Close collaboration between the bridge and the engine room is just as critical as each individual’s qualifications. That’s why CSG offers its captains, engineers, and young officers a broad spectrum of training options throughout their careers. On board our young fleet, you’ll find a modern workplace fully up to standard in terms of technology and safety. Since ships can only serve as a home away from home, we place great value on family-friendly deployment times, and we boast a nearly perfect record of sticking to our promises to relieve on-board personnel.

If you’d like to join us on board as a ship officer, please apply directly here . Or you can send us your application by mail or e-mail (please combine all documents into a single PDF file) to:
Columbus Shipmanagement GmbH
Teodor Lazar
Willy-Brandt-Strasse 59–65
20457 Hamburg
+49 40 3705 2553
teodor.lazar@hamburgsud.com

CSG is specifically looking for new technical and nautical personnel and actively encourages them to work with us. For example, we participate in the ERASMUS+ program. Hamburg Süd offers students of the Naval Academy in Varna, Bulgaria, the Escola Superior Náutica Infante D. Henrique in Lisbon, Portugal; and the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences in Stord, Norway, practical work experience on board our ships.
In addition, former apprentices of Hamburg Süd can gather practical experience at sea during their semester breaks. Their travel time is compensated according to the prevailing collective bargaining agreement. We also support future officers on land during their studies, for instance with assistance in writing their bachelor’s thesis.

The CSG offers young people a three-year training program to become ship mechanics. The practical expertise for on-deck and engine servicing is taught directly on board. Two of our training ships are equipped with special workshops and five rooms for the apprentices, who spend about 16 months at sea over the course of multiple trips. The supplemental block of instruction takes place at the naval vocational schools in Lübeck-Travemünde , Rostock , or Elsfelth . Apprentices normally begin each year in either January or August and are paid in accordance with the prevailing collective bargaining agreement. Those hoping to train to become a ship mechanic should meet the following requirements:

• Qualification to study at university or a university of applied sciences
• Valid proof of fitness for sea service
• Manual dexterity
• Ability and willingness to work in an international team
• Open-minded attitude toward other cultures and ethnicities

If you would like to apply to join us on board as an aspiring ship mechanic, or as a nautical or technical officer cadet, it’s best to do so here . Or you can send us your application by mail or e-mail (please combine all documents into a single PDF file) to:
Columbus Shipmanagement GmbH
Sabine Kruse
Willy-Brandt-Strasse 59–61
20457 Hamburg
+49 40 3705 3007
sabine.kruse@hamburgsud.com

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The CSG’s Vacation Voyager internship offers young people a chance to taste the sea air. Students spend four weeks experiencing daily life on board on a Hamburg Süd ship, which is a good starting point for deciding whether a career at sea is the right one. Interested parties can apply through the German Shipowner’s Association (VDR) Requirements: You must be at least 16 years of age and have an interest in technology. You should also be no more than one year away from completing your university entrance certificate (Abitur) when you apply.

All mariners receive comprehensive training at CSG. In addition to the mandatory subjects, employees can select their own specialty. The Ship Handling Simulator Training, for example, is a special program for our captains and first officers, whereas the MAN (ME) course teaches engineers about modern main engines that use common rail technology. Each stage includes building blocks consisting of practical experience, training, and theory. Upon completion, the captain or chief engineer makes a recommendation with respect to promotion. This allows employees and their superiors to keep an eye on your individual development and on the next steps. At the same time, it ensures that CSG always has the best-trained future managers in its ranks.