I worked with Polsteam and found the salary acceptable for ratings. However, supplies were very poor: on two older vessels there was not even enough bed linen, and ordering anything was extremely difficult. The food was poor, internet quality depended on the vessel, and contracts were usually around four months, although some crew members said they could be shortened to three.
I joined Polsteam through a crewing agency and have already completed one assignment with them. The recruitment process was straightforward and honest: I did not have to pay anyone, and the company helped arrange my visa appointment. I have now left for my first return trip, and the employment process was smooth overall.
I have completed three contracts with Polsteam after leaving another company, and I consider it a very good place to work. Salaries are paid on time, crew changes are regular, and the fleet includes both older and relatively newer vessels. There is also a bonus system based on years of service, and overall I am very satisfied with the company.
I am currently working for Polsteam. Last month, two hours of extra overtime were officially closed for payment. This was my own experience while on contract.
I contacted Polsteam several times, but nobody answered or called me back even though vacancies were listed on the website. This gave me the impression that applications were not being handled properly.
I tried to join Polsteam and was even given an approximate joining date. However, when the company learned that I was working as an AB with officer documents, they said they required an AB diploma instead. As a result, I was not hired.
I completed a contract with Polsteam. The crew was good, although the vessel itself was in worn condition. Despite that, the contract went well overall.
I have been working with Polsteam for several years. Working hours are usually eight hours, although during an emergency they can reach 18 hours, and ratings may sometimes be called for mooring operations. Food quality depends on the cook, and supplies can be difficult because extra items are not readily sent. Crew changes are usually on time, and I have not personally seen strong hostility toward Ukrainian crew members. The salary was higher than other options available to me, so I accepted the disadvantages.
I worked for Polsteam on several vessels. The food was often very poor, with repetitive meals and portions that were sometimes inadequate. Some senior Polish officers behaved aggressively or showed hostility toward Ukrainian crew members; after I filed a complaint about a senior officer who blocked my promotion, I was not accepted back by the company. On the positive side, the vessels I worked on were generally manageable, and salaries were paid around the tenth of the month.
I worked three contracts with Polsteam, one as an OS and two as an AB. Contracts were normally four months, with a maximum of five, and the working day usually ended by 17:00 with days off. The pay was good, and there is career progression, although promotion requires several promotions from different captains and valid working documents. Supplies and food were poor, especially when the cook was Polish, while internet access depended on the vessel.
I am currently on one of their ships. The atmosphere is normal. I am from Ukraine, there are 2 Romanians, 1 Czech, 1 Bulgarian, and the rest are Polish. The ship is from 2010 and is in decent condition for a bulk carrier (the deck is fine, but I can't comment on the engine). The food is not bad, although it's portioned, but there is enough (the refrigerator is always full), and the cook is Polish. My friend is on a ship from 2018. There are ships on the line to Odessa and Chornomorsk. For me, a downside is that in the shop there is only water and cigarettes. The salary comes between the 10th and 15th of the following month.