Ship Types

The type of ships you could train on for your career at sea.

SHIP TYPES

The type of ships you could train on for your career at sea.

Within the British Merchant Navy, the sheer diversity of vessel types provide for a fascinating choice of different work environments and the opportunity for a varied and interesting career.

We feature here just a flavour of the variety of ships that you could train on with the SSTG. There are wide-ranging opportunities for Electro-Technical Officer Cadets, Engineer Officer Cadets and Deck Officer Cadets.

Aggregate Mining Vessels

Aggregate mining vessels specialise in the extraction of sand and gravel from the seabed for use in the construction industry. The aggregate can only be removed from licensed areas and these are strictly controlled by the government.

Extremely precise navigation is required to ensure that the vessel’s position is exactly controlled. All mining ships are fitted with a sealed ‘black box’ that records the vessel’s position enabling officials ashore to track and monitor exactly where sand and gravel are being extracted from, hence safeguarding the nation’s natural raw resources.

SSTG Member Companies that operate this type of vessel include:

  • Britannia Aggregates
  • CEMEX Marine
  • Hanson Aggregates
  • Tarmac Marine

See all SSTG Members

Cable Repair Vessels

Ninety-eight percent of the communications capacity worldwide is provided by cables laid beneath the world’s oceans. Crews operate specialist cable vessels to control the complex operations of the laying, retrieving and repairing of cables – tasks that often take place at enormous depths beneath the ocean.

SSTG Member Companies that operate this type of vessel include:

  • Global Marine Systems

See all SSTG Members

Container Vessels

Container ships are the main ship type used to transport the world’s manufactured goods. Every day, consumer products as diverse as iPods and Kindles, scooters and bicycles, greenhouses and kitchen equipment roll off the production lines in the Far East and elsewhere. These need to be transported overseas from factory to market aboard fleets of huge container vessels, with the largest measuring in at over 300 metres in length and capable of carrying more than 22,000 twenty-foot long containers.

SSTG Member Companies that operate this type of vessel include:

  • CMA CGM (UK) Shipping
  • Evergreen Marine (UK)

See all SSTG Members

Cruise Ships

The majority of passenger vessels are cruise ships. These are purpose-built specifically to deliver pleasure voyages, where passenger experiences are enhanced by on-board amenities to be as important as the different destinations to be visited on the cruise.

The cruise industry has seen remarkable growth over the last twenty years, with the largest vessels now carrying over 5,000 passengers at any one time. Over the same period, the growth in the number of vessels has meant a steady rise in the volume of passengers carried worldwide. It is estimated that there are 21 million passengers taking cruises every year; an increase of over 350% in the last 20 years.

SSTG Member Companies that operate this type of Vessel include:

  • Saga Shipping

See all SSTG Members

Passenger and Vehicle Ferries

Indispensable for an island nation, a variety of vessels service the demand for moving vehicles and people across the seas to neighbouring countries.

Ferries range considerably in size but whether the traffic they carry is commercial freight, holiday-makers’ cars or passengers on foot, ferries are designed with efficiency and comfort in mind.

SSTG Member Companies that operate this type of vessel include:

  • P & O Ferries
  • Seatruck Ferries

See all SSTG Members

General Cargo
A general cargo vessel is defined as any vessel that has been designed to carry a wide range of packaged cargoes from one location to another.

Over time the specific needs of industry and consumer demands has resulted in vessels being adapted to provide for particular trades or routes. These vessels are also designed to transport ‘project’ cargoes which will often be large, oversized or heavy equipment that it is not possible to carry on other types of vessels.

Many of these general cargo vessels servicing traditional markets will be equipped with their own cranes. This makes it possible to visit smaller ports often found in inaccessible places and discharge and load their own cargo.

See all SSTG Members

Jack-up Vessels

Jack-up rigs are a specialist type of self-elevating installation with three or four legs that can be extended, or ‘jacked-up’, either above or below the hull. Jack-ups will often be towed to site, but may be self-propelled with the legs extended above the hull. Once on site, the legs are deployed through the water and into the sea bed. This anchors the rig and holds the vessel’s hull above the water level.

Generally such vessels work in relatively shallow water of less than 120 metres, although the latest vessels are capable to working in deeper waters.

Jack-up rigs or platforms may be used for a range of tasks including exploratory drilling and offshore wind farm installation and servicing tasks.

The current estimate for the total number of Jack-up rigs in operation is 540.

SSTG Member Companies that operate this type of Vessel include:

  • Seajacks UK

See all SSTG Members

Oil and Gas Exploration Support Vessels
A vast range of specialist vessels play an integral role in the exploration and production of oil and gas from beneath some of the world’s wildest oceans. Supply vessels carry essential supplies to the rigs, including everything from fresh water, food and sanitary supplies, to lubricating oil, spare parts and new machinery.

Enormous skill is required to navigate and accurately hold the position of a supply vessel whilst it is unloading or loading within feet of a rig when high winds and waves are pounding the ship.

See all SSTG Members

Standby, Supply and Multi-Role Vessels

The oil and gas exploration and production industries of the world are supported by a vast range of very specialist vessels which include standby vessels.

These vessels provide emergency and rescue services, as well as undertaking more routine tasks such as maintaining exclusion zones around installations and moving personnel and supplies between local facilities.

SSTG Member Companies that operate this type of vessel include:

  • Boston Putford Offshore Safety
  • North Star Shipping

See all SSTG Members

Survey Vessels

Survey vessels are another example of the highly specialised ships plying the oceans of the world carrying out very complex and demanding roles.

These vessels often carry additional personnel who will be experts in their own field, such as geologists, meteorologists, seismologists and scientists.

SSTG Member Companies that operate this type of vessel include:

  • Gardline

See all SSTG Members

Tankers (including Product Carriers)

Some of the largest ships in the world carry crude oil from the major centres of production to refineries all around the globe.

Smaller tankers carry out local distribution from the refineries for products including petrol, diesel, kerosene and aviation fuel, with these constructed to provide multiple tanks enabling different cargoes to be transported together.

SSTG Member Companies that operate this type of vessel include:

  • John H. Whitaker

See all SSTG Members

Start Your Career

Our experienced team of recruitment and training officers can provide you with help and guidance on roles and vacancies – and support in applying for sponsorship.

Boston Putford Offshore Safety Ltd

Operates standby support vessels.

Careers at sea with Boston Putford Offshore Safety Ltd.

Based:
Lowestoft, Suffolk.

Profile:
Operates a fleet of Support Vessels in both the North Sea and other areas providing Emergency Response, Supply and Underwater Exploration/Construction services for the offshore oil and gas exploration and production industry.

Ship Types Operated:
Standby

Company website:
www.bostonputford.com

Britannia Aggregates Ltd

Operates aggregate mining vessels extracting sand and gravel.

Train as a deck cadet with Britannia Aggregates Ltd.

Based:
Northfleet, Kent.

Profile:
Operates a Marine Aggregate Dredger engaged in the mining of sand and gravel from the sea bed in licensed areas of the open sea around the UK & the Continent of Europe for delivery to UK and other European ports.

Ship Types Operated:
Aggregate Mining Vessels

Company website:
www.brett.co.uk

CEMEX Marine Ltd

Operates aggregate mining vessels extracting sand and gravel.

CEMEX, an SSTG Member for 10 years.

Based:
Southampton, Hampshire.

Profile:
Operates a fleet of Marine Aggregate Dredgers engaged in the mining of sand and gravel from the sea bed in licensed areas of the open sea around the UK & the Continent of Europe for delivery to UK and other European ports.

Ship Types Operated:
Aggregate Mining Vessels

Company website:
www.cemex.co.uk

CMA-CGM Ltd

Operates aggregate mining vessels extracting sand and gravel.

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Based:
London, UK.

Profile:
Operates a fleet of container vessels on worldwide routes transporting a wide variety of cargoes.

Ship Types Operated:
Container

Company website:
www.cma-cgm.com

Alcedo Shipping Ltd

Operates bulk carriers worldwide.

Alcedo Shipping Ltd.

Based:
London.

Profile:
Operates a fleet of Bulk Carriers on worldwide routes transporting a wide variety of cargoes.

Ship Types Operated:
Bulk Carriers

Company website:
https://www.alcedoshipping.co.uk

Evergreen Marine (UK) Ltd

Operates container vessels for cargo transportation.

Deck Cadet Training with Evergreen Marine (UK) Ltd.

Based:
London.

Profile:
Operates a fleet of container vessels on worldwide routes transporting a wide variety of cargoes.

Ship Types Operated:
Container

Company website:
www.evergreen-marine.co.uk

Gardline Ltd

Operates survey and research vessels.

Deck and engineer cadet training with Gardline Ltd.

Based:
Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

Profile:
Best in class provider of Marine Geophysical, Geotechnical and Environmental Surveys.

Ship Types Operated:
Survey

Company website:
www.gardline.com

Global Marine Systems Ltd

Operates surface and sub-sea vessels for installation and maintenance of submarine cables.

Seafarer officer training with Global Marine Systems Ltd.

Based:
Chelmsford, Essex.

Profile:
Global Marine Systems Limited, an independent marine engineering company, has been in business for well over 150 years and continues to be the pre-eminent provider of submarine cable installation and maintenance services in the world. Operating the world's largest fleet of cable ships and sub-sea vehicles, it is a market leader in marine cable installation and maintenance for telecommunications, as well as scientific research, oil, gas, utilities and the renewable energy sector. Global Marine is headquartered in the United Kingdom with regional offices in the United States and Asia.

Ship Types Operated:
Cable Repair

Company website:
www.globalmarine.group

Hanson Aggregates Marine Ltd

Operates aggregate mining vessels extracting sand and gravel.

Hanson Aggregates Marine Ltd, an SSTG Member for 10 years.

Based:
Southampton, Hampshire.

Profile:
Operates a fleet of Marine Aggregate Dredgers engaged in the mining of sand and gravel from the sea bed in licensed areas of the open sea around the UK & the Continent of Europe for delivery to UK and other European ports.

Ship Types Operated:
Aggregate Mining Vessels

Company website:
www.heidelbergcement.com

John H. Whitaker (Holdings) Ltd

Operates oil tankers.

Careers at Sea with John H. Whitaker (Tankers) Ltd.

Based:
Hull, North Humberside.

Profile:
Operates a fleet of oil tankers in the European area transporting fuel and oil products for ships and storage depots.

Ship Types Operated:
Tankers

Company website:
www.whitakertankers.com

Saga Shipping Ltd

Operates cruise ships.

Saga Shipping Ltd, an SSTG Member Company for 15 years.

Based:
Folkestone, Kent.

Profile:
This company operates the following types of vessel. Click on vessel for more information:

Ship Types Operated:
Cruise

Company website:
www.saga.co.uk

Tarmac Marine Ltd

Operates aggregate mining vessels extracting sand and gravel.

Tarmac Marine Ltd, trains Deck and Engineer Cadet with SSTG.

Based:
Chichester, West Sussex.

Profile:
Operates a fleet of Marine Aggregate Dredgers engaged in the mining of sand and gravel from the sea bed in licensed areas of the open sea around the UK & the Continent of Europe for delivery to UK and other European ports.

Ship Types Operated:
Aggregate Mining Vessels

Company website:
www.tarmac.com

North Star Shipping (Aberdeen) Ltd

Operates support vessels for offshore oil and gas exploration.

North Star Shipping (Aberdeen) Ltd, an SSTG Member for 10 years.

Based:
Aberdeen.

Profile:
Operates a fleet of support vessels in both the North Sea and other areas providing emergency response, supply and underwater exploration / construction services for the offshore oil and gas exploration and production industry.

Ship Types Operated:
Standby

Company website:
www.northstarshipping.co.uk

P & O Ferries Ltd

Operates vehicle and passenger ferries.

P & O Ferries Ltd, trains Merchant Navy Seafarers with SSTG.

Based:
Dover, Kent.

Profile:
Operates a fleet of large Roll-on Roll-off Vessels between the UK and ports in Europe transporting passengers, their cars, and freight vehicles.

Ship Types Operated:
Ferries

Company website:
www.poferries.com

Seajacks UK Ltd.

Operates specialist jack-up vessels for offshore wind industry.

Seajacks UK Ltd, trains Merchant Navy seafarers with SSTG.

Based:
Great Yarmouth, UK.

Profile:
Seajacks UK are an East Anglian based offshore installation company committed to building the world’s most advanced and versatile fleet of self-propelled jack-up vessels equipped to service the demands of the offshore wind industry. Our on and offshore crews work in full conjunction with all of our clients, looking to provide the most cost-effective solutions in the safest environments possible.

Seajacks has a fleet of 5 GustoMSC designed vessels, all capable of installing and maintaining offshore wind farms in harsh conditions. Seajacks fleet includes; Seajacks Kraken, Seajacks Leviathan, Seajacks Hydra, Seajacks Zaratan and Seajacks Scylla.

Seajacks utilise DP2 positioning for fast and efficient rig moves, with no need for tugs means there is year round operating ability in the harsh conditions of the Southern North Sea. The DP2 systems make all of the vessels fully capable of driving their four legs into the seabed, providing them with a steady platform and ensuring they remain uncompromised by the conditions of the sea below.

Seajacks Scylla is equipped with a 1500t leg-encircling crane, incorporate useable deck space of up to 5000m², and has 8000t of available variable load. Sailing at speeds of 12 knots or over, Scylla is outfitted with 105m long legs that have the ability to install components in water depths of up to 65m.

Ship Types Operated:
Jack-up

Company website:
www.seajacks.com

CldN RoRo Ltd.


Operates freight vessels for Irish Sea crossings.

CldN RoRo Ltd, trains ETO Officer cadets with SSTG.

Based:
Heysham, Lancashire.

Profile:
As a UK cadet you will complete your sea service whilst under training on the UK based vessels serving between the UK and Ireland. The company has a fleet of modern vessels concentrating on the freight market.

Ship Types Operated:
Ferries

Company website: 

www.cldn.com

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