Shared by the fleet

Community

Articles, guides, tools and resources written by seafarers. Got a question about one specific employer? Ask it on that company’s discussions tab.

New post

All Articles Tools & Software Education Regulations Career Tips Other

#career×1 post

Career Tips·2nd Officer Maria·31 Mar

The complete guide to salary negotiation in maritime

Money is not everything, but fair compensation matters. After switching companies three times and increasing my salary by 40% over four years, here is everything I have learned about negotiating better pay in the maritime industry.

Before any negotiation, you need data. This is where platforms like CrewRate are invaluable — real salary data from real seafarers, broken down by position, vessel type, and company.

Vessel type: Tankers and LNG carriers generally pay more than bulk carriers or container ships
Company size: Major companies (Maersk, MSC, Teekay) often have structured pay scales. Smaller operators may have more flexibility
Trading area: Deep sea pays more than coastal. High-risk areas command premium rates
Your certificates: Additional certifications (DP, ice navigation, specialized cargo) increase your value
Experience: Obviously matters, but the jump from 3 to 5 years experience is worth more than 15 to 17 years