I was offered a chief mate position on a container ship and submitted all the required documents. The vacancy was closed the next day, apparently after being filled by a Croatian candidate.
I completed a contract in 2021 as an electrical cadet on container ships. Pay was average to above average, food and supplies were adequate, crew changes were on time, and the company provided workwear. There was career progression in the engine department. The PMS system was convenient, and the superintendent usually provided clear instructions for checks and measurements; some technical problems were resolved quickly.
I worked for Asiatic from autumn 2017 to mid-2019. The company was not bad overall, but Asiatic was best avoided: the vessels were run-down, and ships in good condition or after proper repairs were transferred to Atlantic Lloyd, leaving old or problematic vessels in Asiatic. The top manager was excellent.
I worked for this company for about two years. During that time, two senior engineers and two masters left after Australian AMSA pre-inspections, and senior officers did not seem willing to join the company. The company provided onboard and pre-joining training and was gradually adopting V.Ship standards, but spare parts had to be pushed for. The company also appeared to prioritize Croatian, Montenegrin and Serbian crew, while others faced stricter medical scrutiny.
I completed three contracts on container ships through a crewing agency. Pay was regular, but the paperwork was not handled particularly well. The crewing representative was reasonable and helpful.