â Maritime logistics and ports: work on shore and on ships
If you are drawn to the sea but are a landlubber, start with a map of port clusters and basic requirements. Below you will find information on who is hiring and where, what roles are available in ports and the fleet, what certification is required (shore/ship), as well as websites and documents for applying. At the end, you will find a checklist, a shift template, and a mini glossary.
đşď¸ Industry overview: port clusters (Alesund, Bodo, Bergen) â what they do and who they hire
Bergen â a major cargo hub on the west coast: the port reports growth in cargo activity at public berths and a full range of operations (crane services, stevedoring, warehouses). It is a hub for distribution throughout the region.
Alesund/Sunmøre â âblue industryâ: a network of shipbuilding/services for ocean industries operates around GCE Blue Maritime; the port manages ISPS access and terminals. Port operators, freight forwarders and ship agents are in demand here.
Bodo â open cargo terminal with multimodal connections (road/rail/air), CargoNet and Schenker are present. There is regular demand for terminal workers and flow coordination, including fish and the cold chain.
Cold storage and refrigeration infrastructure are developing in parallel (e.g., projects/operations in the Olesund water area for seafood).
đˇââď¸ Roles: warehouse/port operations/fleet, dispatching, cold chain
Onshore: ship arrival and clearance, stevedoring and cranes, terminal operations, forklift/reach stacker, temperature chain control (reefer containers), warehousing and cross-docking. Example: a liner operator and agent in Bergen combine liner services, stevedoring and 3PL/warehousing. On the fleet side â sailors/engineers on ro-ro/refrigerated lines, forwarding and ship agency. Dispatching/voyage planning and cold chain âtower controlâ are found among multimodal logistics players.
đ ď¸ Requirements and certification
Onshore: loading/equipment, occupational safety
To work on loading equipment, you need certified categories (typically T1âT4 for loaders; for cranes â classes G1/G4, etc.) in accordance with Forskrift om utførelse av arbeid and lists of certified equipment. Additionally, introductory HSE training, instruction on specific equipment, and for access to secure port areas, an ISPS pass must be obtained through the terminal operator/port.
On ships: basic maritime qualifications, English/Norwegian
To work as part of a crew, you must have STCW basic safety training (grunnleggende sikkerhetsopplĂŚring) and a seaman's medical certificate. Norwegian and a number of EEA/UK formats are accepted â see the Maritime Administration's explanations. The working language on international lines is often English (for safety and procedures), but Norwegian is useful for shore-based communication. Check the requirements in the job description.
đ How to search and apply: websites, agencies, application documents
- Platforms: Arbeidsplassen/NAV and FINN Jobb â filter by âtransport/terminal/havnâ, âmaritimeâ.
- Companies and lines: for seafood and the ânorthâ, see Eimskip, Samskip/Seafood/Temperature-Controlled, Sea-Cargo, Nor Lines (capacity on coastal routes).
- Documents to apply: CV (+short English version), T-category/G-crane certificates (shore), STCW + medical certificate (crew), valid HSE courses, driving licence, if available â approval of foreign qualifications from Arbeidstilsynet. For access to terminals â ISPS pass application.
â Port shift template: a typical day
- â HSE briefing + schedule of ship calls/voyages
- â Vessel reception: mooring, documents, equipment allocation
- â Operations: stevedoring, forklifts/cranes, reefer control
- â Documentation: weight/seal confirmation, photo records
- â Shift adjustments: break, crew/equipment rotation
- â Closing call: reports, site check, access requests for tomorrow
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Berth | Pier, docking place |
| Quay | Harbor waterfront |
| Stevedore | Port operator/longshoreman |
| Ro-Ro | Roll-on/Roll-off cargo (vehicles) |
| Reefer | Refrigerated container |
| ISPS | International Ship & Port Facility Security Code |
| ETA / ETD | Estimated Time of Arrival / Departure |
| Draft | Vesselâs draft (depth in water) |
â Mini checklist (quick route)
- Decide on a track: shore (categories T/G + ISPS) or ship (STCW + medical certificate).
- Set up alerts on NAV/FINN; at the same time, check out careers at Samskip/Eimskip/Sea-Cargo/Nor Lines.
- Prepare your âpackageâ: CV (EN), T/G certificates, STCW, medical certificate, licences.
- For Alesund/Bodo/Bergen, study the access conditions and terminals in advance.
Port clusters in the capital and western regions offer many entry points, from terminals and stevedoring to crew roles on cold chain lines. Obtain the necessary permits, compile a âdocument package,â target the Bergen/Sunnmøre clusters and the multimodal hubs of Bodo, and you will be well on your way to becoming part of the maritime economy.
â FAQ
Onshore: proven technical skills (T1âT4/cranes), documented training in equipment and HSE; willingness to work shifts. On board: STCW and valid medical certificate; language â usually English on international routes, Norwegian is desirable for communication with shore/customers.
Among those actively working in the cold chain: Samskip (seafood/reefer), Eimskip (Russia/IcelandâNordicsâUSA, history in Nordland/Tromsø and Ă lesund), Sea-Cargo (western coast line), Nor Lines (capacity on coastal route). Regionally, there are local cold storage facilities and terminals for seafood.
Port: training and categories for equipment + compliance with Forskrift om utførelse av arbeid; access to restricted areas â via port/terminal ISPS procedures. Vessel: STCW base and medical certificate (NOR/NIS/EEA/ENG1 â see list of accepted certificates), plus introductory briefings at the place of service.
Yes, especially in international teams and on liner services, where the working language is English (in NAV you can filter by Engelsk). However, some port vacancies explicitly require norsk for safe work and document flow â this can be seen in municipal and terminal advertisements.
