I want to share my experience. I've known about Samos since 2004 and its bad reputation, but I wouldn't have gone there if it weren't for a friend who ended up there. I'm currently on my third contract here. This is my fifth company, so I have something to compare. Samos is an amazing company. The Greeks are surprisingly generous, with provisions and spare parts mostly being original. The food is $11 per person instead of the usual $8. The ships are modern Japanese ones. Crew changes are on time, and even if you want to go home after 4 months on a 6-month contract, they often accommodate you. However, there are some downsides. First, the crew is entirely Russian-speaking, and some captains can be quite difficult, but not all. Second, there are no electrical and mechanical engineers, but they are rarely needed on Japanese ships. Third, cadets move to junior positions and only then to third engineer. Lastly, instead of the usual fourth engineer position, there are also juniors with a salary of $2,000, but you can move to third engineer with a salary of $5,000 right away. Overall, if you are competent and know your job, I recommend it! I wish there were more reasonable people here. I also highly recommend it to capable students. The fleet is expanding with new Japanese ships.
I worked through Marstraff’s Odessa office and completed two contracts in 2017 and 2018. The crewing service was good, although it was difficult to get hired without experience, and I was charged a recruitment fee of UAH 2,500 at that time. I worked on vessels operated by Samos Steamship Co.; the pay was above average, salaries increased with each subsequent contract through a bonus system, and the food was good. The contract specified a 12-hour working day, and with an unsuitable captain or chief officer, the workload could exceed 12 hours every day except Sunday.
I have been working for the company since 2002. The conditions are stable, the fleet is in good condition, and communication with the office is respectful and businesslike. The food is good, salaries are high and paid on time by cash or bank transfer, and the crew is treated fairly. The company also provides opportunities for professional growth and there is always work available.
I worked for Samos for eight years. The company was generally good and had high requirements. The tankers were mostly Japanese-built and in good condition, but the accommodation was inexpensive, with metal furniture and, on some vessels, shared bathrooms. The main drawback was the behavior of some local captains, which made the working experience difficult.
I worked on a tanker in the company’s fleet. Working conditions depend heavily on the captain and chief officer: with reasonable officers, there is enough time off, including Sundays, but some officers use the extra hour from 17:00 to 18:00 for drills and inspection preparation. Food also depends on the captain and cook. Supplies and spare parts depend on the management, as do salary payment dates. The ships are Japanese-built and have rather Spartan accommodation; in heavy weather, it can even be difficult to sleep because the sofa is positioned parallel to the ship’s motion.
I worked for the company from 2011, starting as a cadet. I was unable to progress beyond able seaman because, from 2016, the company promoted cadets to junior positions and then expected them to continue studying for senior officer certification. Salaries were decent at the time, with bonuses and a $12 daily food allowance. The normal working day was from 08:00 to 20:00, although I also encountered reasonable captains who worked from 08:00 to 17:00 or 18:00.
I worked for the company for many years in different positions, mainly in the bulk carrier fleet. Salaries were relatively high and stable, the crews were predominantly from the region, and supplies were good. The main drawback was the heavy workload: some officers expected people to work from sunrise to sunset and did not respect normal working hours.
I completed one contract with the company. The food was good, the salary was paid on time, and the contract changeover was timely. However, the working day was often longer than normal and there were frequently no days off, although this may have been specific to my particular crew. The captain was very unpleasant and economized on everything.
I left the company because it strongly encouraged reporting on colleagues. This created an unhealthy atmosphere at work.
Working for the company is generally fine. In my experience, about half of the crew extend their contracts.
I have been working with the company since 2016 and am satisfied with it. The company has always been willing to accommodate my needs.
I am currently working on one of the company’s tankers. Overall, the work is good, although the internet is paid. The company has deck and engine cadets, while junior officers are used instead of four cadets. Salaries for more senior positions are reasonable, but junior officers receive about $2,000, which is disappointing. The experience is generally positive unless you encounter an excessively authoritarian senior officer or captain.
I have found the conditions for ratings on the company’s tankers to be acceptable. The working day usually runs until 18:00, the vessels are relatively new, and salaries and bonuses are reasonable.
I completed one contract with the company, and it went quite well. The crew was fine, the food was excellent, and the salary was paid on time.
I worked for the company and had a good crew. The starting salary for a messman was $1,560, with an additional $20 for experience, as far as I remember.