The marine industry has a wide range of job opportunities to fit your specific interests. The sector employs over 28,000 seafarers and indirectly supports thousands more jobs on land.
If you’re looking to join the workforce, change industries, or find a job that’s rewarding with good pay and opportunities, then you’ve come to the right place!
- What jobs are available in marine transportation?
- Skills and training
- Learn about an occupation
- Apply for a job in marine transportation
- Information for employers
What jobs are available in marine transportation?
Life as a mariner isn’t for everyone, but it can be extremely rewarding. Even if a life at sea isn’t for you, there are plenty of marine-based careers on shore.
Does having a life at sea interest you? Being a seafarer means lots of time on the water, often for days or even weeks at a time.
The reward for your hard work is excellent pay, the chance to specialize in a skill or role, lots of time off, and the joy of being on the water and seeing the world in a totally unique way!
There are many different jobs in the marine sector. Here are just a few:
- watchkeepers safely navigate their vessels
- marine welders are highly specialized and keep vessels running smoothly
- marine engineers can do anything from plan repairs and upgrades to vessels, to working onboard to make sure their vessel runs smoothly
- deck officers navigate, manoeuver and safely handle their vessels, communicate between ship and shore, handle and deliver cargo, and operate lifesaving devices
- engine crew manage equipment like engines, boilers, deck machinery, electrical, sanitary, and refrigeration equipment
- inspectors to ensure a safe and secure marine transportation system (e.g. Transport Canada)
Learn about an occupation
To explore occupations in Canada’s marine sector, visit these job profile reports on Job Bank – the leading source of jobs and labour market information in the country. Each report includes information about wages, career prospects, skills, job requirements and more
- Dispatchers
- Transportation route and crew schedulers
- Deck officers, water transport
- Engineer officers, water transport
- Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators
- Pursers and flight attendants
- Ground and water transport ticket agents, cargo service representatives and related clerks
- Customs, ship and other brokers
- Water transport deck and engine room crew
- Boat and cable ferry operators and related occupations
Apply for a job in marine transportation
Jobs in marine transportation can be found through any number of fora. Whether through online or even word of mouth there are always opportunities to be had across every province and territory. As many qualifications are recognized internationally, once properly trained, those looking for a job in the industry aren’t just limited to Canada in searching for potential opportunities. Transportation, fishing and aquaculture, policing and search and rescue: all of these marine transportation skills are in demand. To get you started, here are a few links to Marine transportation jobs and career opportunities across Canada.
Find available jobs in your area by using the national Job Bank.:
- Dispatchers
- Transportation route and crew schedulers
- Deck officers, water transport
- Engineer officers, water transport
- Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators
- Pursers and flight attendants
- Ground and water transport ticket agents, cargo service representatives and related clerks
- Customs, ship and other brokers
- Water transport deck and engine room crew
- Boat and cable ferry operators and related occupations
Other Marine Careers:
Information for employers
If you’re a training institute, shipper, or other maritime organization, here are some resources from the Government of Canada to help you attract, retain, and train employees:
- Job Bank - Advertise your marine jobs for free and reach the right candidates through several job boards across Canada
- the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy which can help you find young job seekers;
- your Regional Development Agency
- financing options from the Government of Canada
- Marine Training Program