Shipping arm of Israel's XT Group (ex-Ofer): owns and manages a commercial fleet from Haifa with about 2,500 seafarers; commercial office in Singapore.
I was contacted by Teamship about a container ship position with no vessel name or joining date. After I passed the interview, I was told that the vacancy had been filled, and later I was offered an urgent replacement position, but that arrangement also fell through shortly before the planned departure. I was then offered another vessel but was not confirmed. The recruitment process was confusing and ultimately did not lead to employment.
I worked through Vita Maritime in XT Group. I had no problems, everything was as agreed, and they did not charge me for placement.
I worked through Vita Maritime in XT Group for two contracts. Everything was handled clearly and loyally, and my salary was paid in full and on time.
I worked through Vita Maritime in XT Group. They advised me to negotiate the salary, but overall everything was good and they did not charge any fees.
I work in the fleet now and the arrangements are unlike anywhere else I have sailed. The employer's obligations are treated as state obligations: courses and certificate renewals happen at company expense with salary preserved, and before a piracy-area transit the crew is exchanged for non-citizens and put back afterwards. The flip side of citizens' privileges is that one of them can be seated in your place for two or three weeks to collect their statutory days, and you wait it out. On board, most of the crew treat work loosely — the standards are carried by a few.