Shipping Apprenticeship
Ausbildung zum Schifffahrtskaufmann /-frau (m/w/d), Fachrichtung Trampfahrt
Become part of Oldendorff's Operations team
- Location
- Germany (Hamburg & Lübeck)
- Language
- German & English
Applications for the 2027 Shipping Apprenticeship intakes are now open
Meet Your Future Career
Build the foundation for a career in international shipping.
You’ll explore different areas of the business and learn how vessels, cargoes, ports and people connect. With a strong focus on Operations, you’ll develop the practical knowledge, commercial understanding and confidence to grow into a shipping professional.
What You'll Experience
Your journey starts onboard one of our vessels, where you’ll experience shipping from the deck, not just the desk.
Back ashore, you’ll combine hands-on workplace learning with vocational school, exploring different areas of the business before spending an extended period in Operations. Along the way, you’ll work with experienced colleagues, contribute to real tasks and gradually take on more responsibility.
By the end of the apprenticeship, you’ll understand how the different parts of shipping connect and have a strong foundation for your future career.
Program Journey
-
Start
Sailing on board
2–3 months
-
Fleet
2–3 months
-
Vocational school
1.5 months
-
Marine accounting
3–4 months
-
Vocational school
1.5 months
-
Port Operations and other departments
3–4 months
-
Vocational school
1.5 months
-
Operations
8–9 months
-
Chartering
1–2 months
-
EndVocational school
1.5 months
-
Start
Sailing on board
2–3 months
-
Fleet
2–3 months
-
Vocational school
1.5 months
-
Marine accounting
3–4 months
-
Vocational school
1.5 months
-
Port Operations and other departments
3–4 months
-
Vocational school
1.5 months
-
Operations
8–9 months
-
Chartering
1–2 months
-
End
Vocational school
1.5 months
- Location
- Hamburg & Lübeck
- Program length
- 2.5–3 years
Please note: Rotation order and duration are indicative and may change. Additional departments may include Bunkers, Sustainability or other relevant business areas.
What You'll Do
You’ll learn how vessels, cargoes and ports come together to keep global trade moving.
Working alongside experienced colleagues, you’ll help coordinate voyages, communicate with vessels and international partners, and respond when plans change. You’ll work with real information, real responsibilities and real operational challenges from the start.
Over time, you’ll become more confident in making decisions, setting priorities and finding practical solutions in a fast-moving global environment.
Who We're Looking For
You’re curious about shipping and interested in how things work behind the scenes.
You enjoy practical challenges and take responsibility for getting things done. You communicate openly, work well with different people and stay focused when priorities change. You don’t need previous shipping knowledge. What matters is your motivation, curiosity and willingness to learn.
This path is for you if…
- You enjoy taking responsibility and solving practical problems
- You stay calm when things go sideways
- You enjoy working with different people to get things done
Requirements
- You meet the educational requirements for the apprenticeship
- You are fluent in written and spoken German
- You can communicate effectively in English
- You are willing to work in both Hamburg and Lübeck
- You are ready to learn, contribute and take responsibility
Ready to Apply?
Applications for our February and August 2027 Shipping Apprenticeship intakes are now open.
Applications for the February 2027 intake are open until 31 October 2026.
Applications for the August 2027 intake are open until 28 February 2027.
Our selection process may include online assessments, interviews and selection activities, giving you the opportunity to showcase your motivation, strengths and potential for a career in international shipping. At the same time, you’ll get to know Oldendorff, the program and the different career opportunities before the final decision is made.
