Chemical Tanker Jobs (Chemical Tankers)
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Working on a chemical tanker is chemistry in the literal sense: cargo compatibility, toxicity, reactivity. Incorrect loading sequence of incompatible cargoes = chemical reaction, fire, or toxic release.
Direct hiring from shipowners without intermediaries.
→ View chemical tanker jobs
Classification: IMO I, II, III
IBC Code (International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk) divides chemical tankers into three types according to the hazard level of the cargoes carried:
IMO Type I — maximum hazard
The most dangerous cargoes: strong acids, highly toxic substances, reactive compounds. Construction: double hull, independent tanks, maximum distance from the side shell. Small number of vessels — narrow market, premium salaries. Usually 5,000–20,000 DWT.
IMO Type II — medium hazard
The most common type. Cargoes: methanol, caustic soda (NaOH), phosphoric acid, MEG (monoethylene glycol), benzene, xylene, premium-class vegetable oils. Double bottom and double sides. Vessels 10,000–45,000 DWT.
IMO Type III — low hazard
Cargoes with minimal risk: vegetable oils, fats, molasses, some petroleum products. Structurally closer to product tankers. Often Combi vessels (Oil/Chemical).
Check the type of a specific vessel — Global Vessel Database.
Cargo system: why a chemical tanker is the most complex tanker
20–40 cargoes at the same time
On a crude tanker — one cargo. On a product tanker — 3–5 grades. On a chemical tanker — up to 40 different chemical cargoes at the same time, each in a separate tank. This defines the entire specificity:
Separate pipelines — each tank has its own line. No mixing.
Tank coating — stainless steel (316L) for aggressive chemicals, epoxy coating for less aggressive cargoes, zinc silicate for specific cargoes. Type of coating = list of permitted cargoes.
Cargo Compatibility — the chief officer must check the compatibility chart under the IBC Code before each loading. Incompatible cargoes are not placed in adjacent tanks.
Framo system
Most modern chemical tankers have Framo hydraulic submerged pumps: an individual pump in each tank with hydraulic drive from the HPU (Hydraulic Power Unit). For pumpmen and engineers, Framo experience is one of the main hiring requirements.
Cargo Changeover and Tank Cleaning
Between voyages — mandatory procedure: tank washing (fresh water, hot water, chemical cleaning agents), wall wash test (laboratory analysis of wash samples from tank walls), drying. The wall wash result determines whether the tank is accepted for the next cargo. For the deck crew and pumpman — daily reality.
Sampling and Gas Freeing
Sampling during loading/discharging and gas freeing of tanks before entry are standard procedures controlled by the chief officer and cargo surveyor.
CDI inspections: what the crew must know
CDI (Chemical Distribution Institute) — an inspection system specially developed for chemical tankers. An analogue of SIRE 2.0 for the chemical segment. Major chemical charterers (BASF, Dow, Shell Chemicals, Exxon Chemical, Stolt Nielsen) charter only vessels that have passed CDI.
The inspector checks: cargo operations, cargo documentation, tanks and coatings, tank cleaning, gas detection, PPE, knowledge of the IBC Code.
Based on JobMarineMan recruitment experience, crew with successful CDI inspections is valued significantly higher on the market — this is a real competitive advantage when searching for tanker fleet jobs.
Positions in demand
Deck crew
Master jobs — IBC Code, cargo compatibility, CDI. Usually $10,000–16,000/month.
Chief Officer jobs — cargo planning, wall wash, sampling, compatibility chart. $7,000–11,000/month.
2/O jobs — $4,000–6,500/month.
3/O jobs — $3,500–5,500/month.
JO jobs — $3,000–4,200/month.
Pumpman — Framo, tank cleaning, cargo changeover. $2,800–3,500/month.
AB jobs — $1,800–2,500/month.
Engine crew
Chief Engineer jobs — $10,000–16,000/month.
2/E jobs — Framo HPU, separators, boilers. $6,500–10,000/month.
3/E jobs — $5,000–7,500/month.
4/E jobs — $3,800–5,800/month.
ETO jobs — Ex-proof (IECEx/ATEX), cargo monitoring, gas detection. $5,500–8,000/month.
Oiler jobs — $1,800–2,500/month.
Salaries on chemical tankers are usually 10–20% higher than on crude tankers and product tankers of similar size.
→ Submit CV for Chemical Tanker Jobs
Documents
Standard STCW + mandatory Chemical Tanker Endorsement:
V/1-1-1 — Oil/Chemical Tanker Familiarization (for the entire crew)
V/1-1-3 — Advanced Training for Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations (for officers and pumpman)
For ETO — Ex-proof knowledge (IECEx/ATEX, Zone 0/1/2). For engineers — Framo HPU experience is critically important.
On the dry cargo fleet, endorsements are not required. On gas carriers — Gas Tanker (V/1-2). Chemical Endorsement is separate from Oil Tanker.
Largest operators
Stolt Tankers (the largest in the world), Odfjell, MOL Chemical Tankers, Navig8 Chemical, Team Tankers, Tokyo Marine, Ace Tankers, Jo Tankers, Iino Kaiun, Essberger.
Check — Shipowners Directory.
→ Choose a shipowner
How to get on a chemical tanker
From product tanker. The most common path. An officer with Oil Tanker Endorsement obtains Chemical (V/1-1-3) and transfers. Cargo operations experience is transferable.
From dry cargo fleet. JO or JE obtains Chemical Endorsement and joins a chemical tanker. Companies take juniors — staff shortage.
Directly. Graduate with Chemical Tanker Endorsement → first contract on a chemical tanker.
💡 Tip from JobMarineMan: chemical tanker experience is one of the most valuable assets in a seafarer’s CV. An officer with 3+ contracts on an IMO II chemical tanker and successful CDI inspections is always in demand. When choosing between crude and chemical — chemical tanker gives more for the career.
FAQ
What is a chemical tanker?
Chemical tanker — a vessel for carrying dangerous chemical cargoes under the IBC Code. Up to 40 cargoes at the same time, stainless steel tanks, Framo system, CDI inspections. The most complex segment of the tanker fleet.
How is a chemical tanker different from a product tanker?
Product tanker carries petroleum products (gasoline, diesel). Chemical tanker — chemical cargoes (methanol, acids, vegetable oils). More cargoes at the same time, stricter procedures (IBC Code, compatibility), stainless steel tanks. Salaries are 10–20% higher.
What is Framo?
Hydraulic submerged pump system — an individual pump in each tank. Installed on most chemical tankers. Framo experience is a key requirement for pumpmen and engineers.
What is CDI?
Chemical Distribution Institute — an inspection system for chemical tankers. Major charterers (BASF, Dow, Shell Chemicals) charter only vessels that have passed CDI. Successful CDI inspections in a CV are a serious advantage.
What are the salaries?
10–20% higher than crude/product. AB — $1,800–2,500, 3/O — $3,500–5,500, ETO — $5,500–8,000, Master — $10,000–16,000.
Which endorsement is required?
Chemical Tanker Endorsement V/1-1-3 (Advanced). Separate from Oil Tanker (V/1-1-2). V/1-1-1 (Familiarization) — for the entire crew.
How to apply?
CV through JobMarineMan — direct contact with the shipowner. Shipowners Directory, Global Vessel Database.
Other vessel types
Dry Cargo Fleet — Tanker Fleet — Gas Fleet — Offshore Fleet — Passenger Fleet — Yacht Sector
Maritime Mentors — Shipowners Directory — Global Vessel Database