I worked for Portline Bulk International in 2021. The fleet consists mainly of Japanese-built bulk carriers, and there are promotion opportunities. Crew members are recruited through crewing agencies, and my experience was generally typical of working with Eastern European crews.
I worked for Portline Bulk International as an ETO. The cook was extremely poor: the food was difficult to eat, and he prepared separate meals for himself. I contacted the crewing offices, but one referred me to the captain and the other said it could not help, so the problem was never resolved. Salaries were average, and one later offer was about $700 below comparable jobs.
I have been working with Portline Bulk International since 2020 and have not had problems with food, salaries, or supplies. Spare parts are generally sent properly, although there can occasionally be delays. Salaries are average and there is no regular bonus system, but promotion opportunities are good. Crew changes have been handled reliably, and I am not planning to leave the company.
I worked on a Portline Bulk International vessel in 2018. Some vessels had shared bathroom facilities for ratings, while on others only senior crew had private facilities.
I worked on one of Portline Bulk International's vessels, and I found the company's attitude towards crew members unacceptable.
I worked for Portline Bulk International in 2022. The company economized heavily and required extensive reporting for routine matters. Seals were installed throughout the engine room, and urgent work could not be carried out without permission. Provisioning depended on the captain, and poor management could make the food inadequate.
I am working for Portline Bulk International on a vessel built in 2008. The crew is Ukrainian, the food is average and depends on the captain and cook, and there is a lot of work both on deck and in the engine room. The salary is slightly above average, but there are no bonuses. Ratings may have one bathroom shared between two cabins, the cabins are small but livable, and contracts are usually about seven months.
I am currently on board a Portline Bulk International vessel. The ratings' toilets and showers are shared. The food on board has been excellent, with fully home-style meals.
I worked one contract on a Portline Bulk International vessel built in 2009. Supplies were very difficult, requests were often cut, and the engine department was frequently short of ratings. There was a lot of emergency work on weekends because of the vessel's age and the company's cost-cutting. Some of the mechanics were incompetent, and the company appeared to be short-staffed.
I have completed four contracts with Portline Bulk International. Crew changes are regular, and after returning from a contract I was able to give my availability and join another vessel on time; in emergencies, the company offered alternative joining options. Supplies are generally adequate, and food depends mainly on the captain and cook. The fleet is mostly modern, promotion opportunities are good, and there is not much paperwork, although conditions for ratings can include shared toilets and showers. Salaries for junior officers are below average, there is no bonus system, and the new planned-maintenance software is inconvenient.
I had my doubts about my English skills, but I decided to join Portline's crew. The company has its pros and cons, but overall, it's possible to work there. A significant downside for me was the leave pay that was withheld; I received it only 1.5 months after leaving the vessel. I learned about this leave pay from locals just before my contract started. Transporting cement with Portline is a common practice, but fortunately, I avoided that fate. Overall, you can talk a lot about it, but if you want to try Portline, go for a trip with them; the path of a seafarer is not always easy.