Shipping Operations Trainee — Sea, in Germany

Operations Trainee Programin Germany
Hands-on training. Real-world experience.

Your career in shipping starts here.

The Operations Trainee Program in Germany is a two-year program designed for those looking to build in-depth expertise in Shipping Operations. This isn’t just about learning from a desk—you’ll start your journey by sailing onboard one of our vessels for 2–3 months, gaining firsthand experience of life at sea and observing ship operations in action.

After your time onboard, you’ll rotate through key departments, building a solid foundation in commercial dry bulk shipping. The Operations department will be at the heart of your traineeship, where you’ll spend at least 8 months learning how to commercially operate a vessel hands-on.

Hamburg & Lübeck, Germany – the heart of Oldendorff's operations.
Your traineeship will begin at sea, giving you a rare opportunity to experience ship operations up close. Once back on shore, you’ll be based in our Hamburg and Lübeck offices, where you’ll work alongside industry professionals and gain real-world exposure to the business side of shipping.

We’re looking for motivated individuals with a strong interest in shipping and a hands-on approach to learning.

• You’re proactive and thrive in a dynamic environment.
• You’re motivated, open-minded, and ready to develop new skills.
• You want to gain expertise in vessel operations and the commercial side of shipping.

A strong passion for shipping and international trade.

Motivation and willingness to learn.

Open-minded, adaptable, and ready to take on new challenges.

Willingness to travel and potentially live abroad for training.

Excellent communication skills in English.

We are currently accepting applications for the 2027 Trainee Program.

Timing and onboarding for 2027 will be announced soon.