Focal topics

SeaYou: VDR ambassador programme for shipping

In the Ambassador Programme of the German Shipowners’ Association (VDR), young seafarers have their say and present their perspectives, pictures, texts, and videos from everyday maritime life.

Environment and climate protection

Climate protection: the net-zero goal

Career pathways, Careers in seafaring

Captain – Boss at sea

A profession with responsibility: being a captain means much more than just steering a ship. It’s a challenging path to get there, requiring experience, training and strong leadership skills.

Career pathways, Careers in seafaring

Chief Engineer – Master of machines

The key role in the engine room: The Chief keeps the ship’s technical operations running – with expertise, vision and a strong team at his side.

Career pathways, Careers in seafaring

Ship Mechanic – The all-rounder

It’s more than just another job: doing maintenance, keeping watch, working at the shipyard – ship mechanics take responsibility in almost all areas on board. A job for people with a can-do attitude and technical understanding.

Career pathways, Careers in seafaring

Electro-technical Ship Officer – On course for digitalisation

Combining engineering with hands-on practice: as an electro-technical ship officer, you work at the interface between the engine room, the bridge and IT, ensuring safe, state-of-the-art ship operations

Career pathways, Careers in seafaring

Shipping Clerk – Organiser of the transport of goods

Globally connected: whether route planning, goods inspection or purchasing – shipping clerks work at the nerve centres of global transport chains.

Careers in seafaring, VDR holiday sailing programme

Three weeks on board a containership

Pupils Annika Frühsorge and Katerina Zdanov spent three weeks on board the 335-metre ship “Conti Cortesia”. Their journey took them from London to Fos-Sur-Mer.

Careers in seafaring, VDR holiday sailing programme

On board “Hansa Ludwigsburg”

Trainee Friedrich Wegmann experienced first hand what everyday life on board Hansa Ludwigsburg is really like – an experience that reinforced his determination to go to sea.