At Hapag-Lloyd, life at sea is more than a job – it’s joining a crew that becomes family.
On our modern vessels, you’ll grow your skills with advanced technology and build deep expertise as part of a professional crew. Your safety and development come first, backed by training and support. What sets us apart is our people and a culture of teamwork, trust and mutual respect. Whether on the bridge or in the engine room, you’ll be trusted, supported and valued – in a global community where your career grows and your work keeps the world moving.
Explore the possibilities
Sailing under the German flag means reliability you can count on. Employment contracts beyond single assignments, social security coverage and predictable rotations provide long-term security. Flexible working models and family travel furthermore support a healthy balance between career and personal life. We build trust through tradition and innovation, backed by clear structures and reliable representation.
Our compensation and benefits reflect our commitment to fairness and community, and your voice is heard through an active workers’ council. Recognition by the Berufsbildungsstelle Seeschifffahrt e.V. confirms our standards. Whether you are new to the sea or ready for your next step, you join a team built on growth and community.
Learning and development never stop. Here, you drive your growth with access to training that goes beyond industry requirements. We invest in you so you can explore new skills, open new doors and build a career you’re proud of. Mentors and colleagues are always beside you as you journey forward. This includes structured training on board and ashore, clear development standards and continuous learning opportunities that support both professional excellence and personal growth over time.
Life at sea is shaped by teamwork, respect and shared responsibility. Our international crews bring together cultures and perspectives – united by professionalism and trust. We create an onboard environment where everyone feels valued, where people look out for each other, and where collaboration goes beyond rank or background. Beyond daily operations, we actively build crew spirit through sports, crew activities and welfare. We celebrate Seetaufen, enjoy karaoke nights, and – because crew well‑being reflects our value “we care” – regularly ensure video calls so seafarers can stay close to their families back home. Because a strong crew isn’t just a team. It’s a community.
At Hapag-Lloyd, every port is a place to belong, and every role is a chance to grow. No matter where you start, you can build your future with our structured pathways, real responsibilities, and support at every stage. We actively support talent development and retention by aligning individual career goals with long-term opportunities, enabling our people to grow together with the company and shape their careers with perspective.
Our jobs
Ready to find your next step? Browse our maritime roles across our global fleet - from deck and engine career paths with operational and leadership responsibility to technical roles and apprenticeships.
Pick your path below and see where your journey at sea could go.
The Deck department ensures safe, compliant and well-coordinated voyages. From navigation to daily deck operations, you contribute to the safe management of vessel, crew and cargo as part of an experienced Deck team. Here, trust is built step by step. You learn to take responsibility, support safe decision-making and uphold high standards in safety, security and environmental protection.
Here’s everything you need to apply for land- and sea-based roles at Hapag-Lloyd. Explore our open positions, submit the right documents with confidence, and get ready for what comes next – so you know exactly what to expect throughout the interview process.
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Apprentice
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Officer of the Watch
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Chief Mate
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Captain
Step on board and turn your apprenticeship into real seafaring moments on deck – from steering through iconic waterways to arriving at world-class ports. Discover how modern container ships are operated: cargo handling, engine power, and precise maneuvers alongside the pier. If you’re ready for adventure, responsibility, and a second home at sea, our apprenticeship is your next course.
Officer of the Watch
Navigate the seas and ensure safe passage, working side by side with a global crew.
Ready to take your career on deck? Explore open roles across our global fleet. Opportunities include navigation, cargo operations, and deck crew positions. Select your region and start your journey at sea.
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Apprentice
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Engineer of the Watch
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Second Engineer
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Chief Engineer
Apprentice
Step on board and turn your apprenticeship in our engine department into real seafaring moments – from steering through iconic waterways to arriving at world-class ports. Discover how modern container ships are operated: cargo handling, engine power, and precise maneuvers alongside the pier. If you’re ready for adventure, responsibility, and a second home at sea, our apprenticeship is your next course.
Engineer of the Watch
Champion safety and reliability in the engine room, growing your expertise on every shift.
Ready to power your career at sea? Discover open roles in our engine department across our fleet. Opportunities include marine engineering, technical maintenance, and engine crew positions. Choose your region and move your career forward.
Employee stories
Frequently asked questions:
Hapag-Lloyd is an internationally operating liner shipping company within the global shipping and logistics industry. Our company organizes the worldwide transport of goods and connects markets along international supply chains. Working at Hapag-Lloyd is closely linked to topics such as shipping, logistics, technology, supply chain management, and international trade.
In addition to its operational services, Hapag-Lloyd offers a wide range of career opportunities. A career at Hapag-Lloyd is aimed at people who want to work in an international environment. As an employer, Hapag-Lloyd stands for structured processes, clear responsibilities, and long-term employment opportunities. Anyone looking to work at Hapag-Lloyd will find jobs across various areas of shipping and logistics.
Hapag-Lloyd jobs cover a broad spectrum. Onshore, Hapag-Lloyd offers positions in operational roles, customer service, commercial functions, as well as IT, digitalization, and central corporate departments. These roles are closely connected to international shipping and logistics.
In addition, there are Hapag-Lloyd jobs at sea. These positions are aimed at professionals who want to work directly on container ships. Working at sea means being part of day-to-day shipping operations. Overall, Hapag-Lloyd offers jobs for a wide range of qualifications within shipping and along the supply chain.
Training and education at Hapag-Lloyd are a central part of the company’s HR strategy. Internships, dual study programs and working student opportunities are offered in different regions around the world to provide insights into the working world of shipping and logistics. Apprenticeships on land / onshore and at sea / offshore are only offered in Germany. The aim for these entry opportunities is to enable long-term entry into a career within the shipping industry.
To ensure a fair and structured selection process for all applicants, only applications for specific job postings will be processed. Unfortunately, we cannot process unsolicited applications. To avoid missing any suitable job opportunities on land, we recommend subscribing to our Job Newsletter via our official career portal, where you will also find all land-based vacancies. It provides regular updates on new onshore career opportunities at Hapag-Lloyd. For updates on jobs on board, please check the "Apply & Grow" section of each job description within our career paths on board regularly which indicates whether a position is open for application.
Applications for Hapag-Lloyd job openings on land are submitted via the official career portal. All onshore Hapag-Lloyd vacancies are centrally listed there. Applicants interested in these land-based roles can search specifically for jobs at Hapag-Lloyd by function or location, for example Hapag-Lloyd jobs in Hamburg. The application process is online and clearly structured. Application documents can be uploaded directly.
Applications for Hapag-Lloyd job openings on board can be found via our career paths on board here. The "Apply & Grow" section of each job description indicates whether the position is vacant. In that case, it can be submitted via E-Mail.
For more application information jobs on land and on board, please view the section Notes on Application.
The application process at Hapag-Lloyd is transparent and clearly structured. After receiving an application, the documents are reviewed from a professional perspective. Suitable candidates are invited to interviews, which may vary depending on the role and location. Depending on the position, you will then be invited to a second interview (usually in person).
During the further process, professional skills, motivation, and personal suitability are assessed. Applicants receive feedback throughout the process. The goal is a fair and comprehensible procedure for all Hapag-Lloyd jobs. The process may vary depending on whether the job is to be performed on land or on board. For more specific information, please review our Notes on Application.
Requirements vary depending on the specific Hapag-Lloyd role. In general, professional qualifications, reliability, personal fit, and the ability to work in a team are expected. Many jobs at Hapag-Lloyd are internationally oriented and require an interest in global contexts within shipping and logistics.
For positions in the maritime environment, additional profession-specific requirements apply. Overall, Hapag-Lloyd targets applicants who work in a structured manner and want to build a long-term career in the shipping industry.
Yes. Careers at Hapag-Lloyd are internationally oriented. There are Hapag-Lloyd jobs at various locations as well as roles in international teams. Hapag-Lloyd careers are also aimed at applicants seeking an international professional perspective.
International collaboration, global projects, and cross-location responsibilities are part of everyday work in many roles. This creates attractive opportunities for an international career in shipping.
Hapag-Lloyd supports the continuous development of its employees. This includes professional training, internal mobility, and the assumption of new responsibilities. Career development is designed with a long-term perspective.
Anyone looking to work at Hapag-Lloyd will find an employer that views development as an ongoing process. The combination of an international environment, stable structures, and a wide range of jobs in shipping creates long-term career opportunities.
Compared to our employer brand focusing on talents with the tagline "Your journey, our horizon", our brand line "Your cargo, our promise." informs customers and partners about Hapag-Lloyd's stronghold on quality leadership. Both are aligned through their complementary messaging structure - fostering the synergy between our Employer Brand and our Customer Brand and, thus, emphasizing Hapag-Lloyd's commitment to both our people and our customers.