Operations Trainee Program
Become part of Oldendorff's Operations team
- Location
- Germany (Hamburg & Lübeck)
- Language
- English
Applications for the 2027 Operations Trainee Program 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 continue your training in our Hamburg and Lübeck offices. Through hands-on rotations across different areas of the business, you’ll discover how commercial dry bulk shipping works and how different teams contribute to every voyage.
Operations will form the core of your development. Working alongside experienced colleagues, you’ll contribute to real tasks, solve practical challenges and gradually take on more responsibility.
The program lasts two years and begins with approximately two to three months onboard, followed by practical training across key departments in Hamburg and Lübeck.
Program Journey
-
Start
Sailing on board
2–3 months
-
Fleet
2–3 months
-
Marine accounting
3–4 months
-
Port Operations and other departments
3–4 months
-
Operations
8–9 months
-
End
Chartering
1–2 months
-
Start
Sailing on board
2–3 months
-
Fleet
2–3 months
-
Marine accounting
3–4 months
-
Port Operations and other departments
3–4 months
-
Operations
8–9 months
-
End
Chartering
1–2 months
- Location
- Hamburg & Lübeck
- Program length
- 2 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.
Over time, you’ll become more confident in setting priorities, making decisions and finding practical solutions in a fast-moving, international environment.
Who We're Looking For
You’re curious about shipping and interested in how international trade works behind the scenes.
You enjoy practical challenges, take responsibility and look for solutions when plans change. You communicate openly, work well with different people and are ready to learn from those around you.
You don’t need previous shipping experience. 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 have completed, or are close to completing, a university degree
- You can communicate effectively in English
- You are willing to work in both Hamburg and Lübeck
- You have a genuine interest in international shipping and trade
Ready to Apply?
Applications for the 2027 Operations Trainee Program are now open.
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.
