General Cargo Jobs (General Cargo Ships / MPV)
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Direct hiring for general cargo and MPV vessels from shipowners without intermediaries.
→ View general cargo jobs
What Is a General Cargo Ship
General cargo ship is a vessel for carrying general / breakbulk cargo: steel products, timber, bags, boxes, project cargo (oversized structures), containers, and small parcels of bulk cargo. The main difference from bulk carriers and container ships is versatility and own cranes.
MPV (Multipurpose Vessel) is the modern name for general cargo vessels with reinforced cranes (25–120 tonnes), capable of handling heavy-lift and project cargo. The line between general cargo and MPV is blurred — essentially, they are the same type, but MPV sounds “larger”.
Subtypes
Coasters — small vessels of 1,500–6,000 DWT, European cabotage. Crew of 6–10 people, reduced manning: AB/Cook and single engineer. Rotation 4/4 or 6/6 weeks — the shortest in dry cargo.
Small General Cargo — 3,000–8,000 DWT, 2–3 cranes (25–45 tonnes). Crew of 10–14 people. Europe, Mediterranean, West Africa.
MPV (Multipurpose Vessel) — 8,000–20,000 DWT, 2–4 cranes (30–60 tonnes, tandem lift up to 120 tonnes). Crew of 14–20 people. Global routes, project cargo.
Heavy MPV — MPV with reinforced cranes (60–180 tonnes). A bridge to the heavy lift segment.
Cargoes: Why Every Voyage Is Unique
Steel Products — coils, beams, pipes, plates. Careful securing is required (dunnaging, lashing).
Timber — hold and deck cargo. Timber Code. Russia, Scandinavia, South America.
Project Cargo — oversized structures: plant modules, generators, transformers, wind turbines (towers, nacelles, blades). Each cargo requires an individual stowage plan and seafastening.
Containers — on deck and in holds (on MPV with cell guides). Loading by ship cranes in ports without STS.
Small parcels of bulk cargo — grain, fertilizers, cement (3,000–10,000 tonnes). General cargo often carries “everything” — from grain to yachts.
Heavylift Breakbulk — cargoes of 50–120 tonnes. On MPV with reinforced cranes. An intermediate segment between general cargo and heavy lift.
Crane Operations: Key Specifics
General cargo / MPV is the only mass vessel type where cargo operations are performed by own cranes. On bulk carriers and container ships — shore equipment. On general cargo — the ship’s crane, operated by AB/Crane Operator.
Cranes: MacGregor, Liebherr Maritime, NMF, Palfinger Marine. SWL 25–60 tonnes, tandem lift — up to 120 tonnes.
For AB/Crane Operator, general cargo is the main job market. For Bosun — supervision of crane operations and rigging team.
→ View AB/Crane Operator jobs
Combined Positions: Specifics of Small Crew
On coasters and small general cargo vessels, the crew is reduced to 6–10 people. This creates unique combined positions:AB/Cook — able seaman-cook: cooks for the crew + participates in mooring, lashing, hold cleaning. Salary $2,000–2,800.
Single engineer — the only engineer on board: main engine, auxiliary engines, separators, electrics, welding. Salary $3,500–5,500.Based on JobMarineMan experience, general cargo / coasters are the main market for these combined positions. Rotations of 4/4 or 6/6 weeks are the key USP of the segment.
In-Demand Positions
Deck Department
Master jobs — $7,000–12,000/month. On MPV — cargo planning, crane supervision.
Chief Officer jobs — stowage plan, seafastening, lashing. $4,500–8,000/month.
2/O jobs — $3,000–5,000/month.
AB/Crane Operator — crane operations + deck work. $2,200–3,000/month.
AB jobs — $1,200–1,800/month.
AB/Cook — on coasters. $2,000–2,800/month.
Engine Department
Chief Engineer jobs — $7,000–12,000/month.
2/E jobs — $5,000–8,000/month.
Single engineer — on coasters. $3,500–5,500/month.
Motorman jobs — $1,400–2,000/month.
Cook jobs — $1,600–2,200/month.Salaries are approximate. European operators often pay in euros according to EU standards.
→ Submit CV for General Cargo Jobs
Advantages of General Cargo
Short rotations. 4/4 or 6/6 weeks on coasters, 3–6 months on MPV. The shortest rotations in dry cargo fleet.
European fleet. Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, United Kingdom — stable companies, euro salaries, good conditions.
Variety. Every voyage means different cargo, different route. No monotony.
Crane experience. General cargo is the only mass type with own cranes. For AB/Crane Operator — the main market.
No endorsements required. Basic STCW is enough.
Largest Operators
European: Wagenborg, Spliethoff, Briese Schiffahrt, Hartmann, Combi Lift, Chipolbrok, BBC Chartering, SAL Heavy Lift, Jumbo Maritime, Forrest Shipping.
Asian: NYK Bulk & Projects, COSCO Specialized.
Check — Shipowners Directory.
→ Choose a shipowner in Shipowners Directory
Documents
Basic STCW. Endorsements are not required. For AB/Crane Operator — Crane Operator Certificate (OPITO/NOROG). For AB/Cook — Ship's Cook Certificate (MLC 2006). For single engineer — CoC III/1 + Welding Certificate.
For European coasters — Schengen visa or EU passport.
FAQ
What is a general cargo ship?
A vessel for general / breakbulk cargo with own cranes: steel, timber, project cargo, containers, small parcels of bulk cargo. Includes coasters, small cargo, MPV.
How is MPV different from general cargo?
MPV (Multipurpose Vessel) is essentially the same general cargo type, but with reinforced cranes (up to 120+ tonnes) and the ability to carry heavy-lift and project cargo. The line is blurred.
What are the salaries?
AB — $1,200–1,800, AB/Crane — $2,200–3,000, AB/Cook — $2,000–2,800, single engineer — $3,500–5,500, Master — $7,000–12,000. European companies often pay in euros.
What is the rotation?
Coasters — 4/4 or 6/6 weeks. MPV — 3–6 months. The shortest rotations in dry cargo fleet.
Are endorsements required?
No. Basic STCW. For European coasters — Schengen visa.
What are AB/Cook and single engineer?
Combined positions on vessels with reduced crew (6–10 people). AB/Cook — able seaman + cook. Single engineer — the only engineer. Both have higher pay.
How to apply?
CV through JobMarineMan — direct contact with the shipowner. Shipowners Directory, Global Vessel Database, Maritime Mentors.
Other Vessel Types
Dry Cargo Fleet — Tanker Fleet — Gas Fleet — Offshore Fleet — Passenger Fleet — Yacht Sector
Maritime Mentors — Shipowners Directory — Global Vessel Database