Cargo type importance for cadets and future seafarers

Cargo type is highly important for cadets and future seafarers in the maritime industry. You have
opportunity before you start your career to choose one specific cargo types for example tanker bulker
general cargos and etc. Each cargo has its advantages and disadvantages.

Marine cargo generally divided into two basic classes: bulk cargo and general cargo. Bulk cargo includes
liquid bulk cargo and dry/break bulk cargo. General cargo consists of a variety of goods, including
containerized, non-containerized and refrigerated cargo. Of course I generally agree that cargo type is
important for future seafarers.

Firstly, One of the main topic in my opinion is salary. Each type of cargo vessel has different salary. In
tankers the salary is more than bulkers or general cargos. otherwise the salary is depend on company for
example if you are working on bulker in good company and someone is working on tanker but not in a
good company it is possible that salary will be same .

In the second stage is Safety. different cargo has different characteristics some of them is flammable
some chemical some is heavy. You should know everything about your chosen cargo how to load unload
shift and wash cargo hold space. Certain cargoes, such as chemicals, flammable substances, or
radioactive materials, can be highly hazardous. Seafarers need to be aware of the characteristics. Lets
use illustration as an example in early this year 2023 February nearly Nigeria 6 crew member died when
vessel named HALIMA was undergoing tank cleaning work at the time, raising the possibility of
asphyxiation as a cause.

Also we should take into the account stability of our vessel. How to load or unload if vessel is in stable
position or not to not cause any serious problems in transition. In tanker not to spill oil in sea because it
is harmful for everyone not for only you and in Bulkers cargo can be very dense and corrosive and
presents safety problems. In short safety has many topics which needs attention and it is important.

In Georgia, most of students want to work on tankers. This means more request and low job
opportunity on tankers and I think that students who are thinking to choose only tankers they are
wrong. Cargo specialization can open up a wider range of job opportunities for seafarers. By focusing on
a particular cargo type, cadets can reduce their chances of securing job positions in the future. Container
vessel has the best future and in my opinion looking only one specialization is wrong decision which can
make by students. For example, my cousin was choosing cargo type vessel when he was already finished
academy and looking only on tankers. It was his mistake. He had to wait one more year when he had
opportunity to work on container vessel.

My advice is that not look only one cargo types, choose other and after you be deck officer you can
change other cargo vessel to your wished and wanted cargo vessel.

Finally as the conclusion, cargo plays a crucial role in development of deck cadets. Now we have
opportunity and time to think choose sort cargo type by its advantages and disadvantages.