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Oil Tanker Jobs

2 open vacancies · updated 15 Oct 2026

About Oil Tankers

Oil tankers carry crude oil, refined products, asphalt, or bunker fuel, and some work as floating storage units. This vessel type is different because the cargo is flammable and toxic, so the crew follows strict safety rules for gas measurement, inert gas systems, and cargo pumps. Deck officers manage loading and discharge plans. Pumpmen operate cargo pumps and valves. Engineers maintain cargo pumps, turbines, boilers, and inert gas systems. Ratings handle hoses, mooring, and tank cleaning. Electrical officers keep level alarms and gas detectors working. Ranks in demand on this vessel type include officers with tanker certificates, Pumpman, Able Seaman, Ordinary Seaman, and engineers with tanker experience.

Cargo and operations

Oil tankers load and discharge crude oil, refined petroleum products, asphalt, and bunker fuel. Cargo operations include tank gauging, pump operation, line clearing, tank washing, and gas freeing. Some crude oil tankers, including VLCCs, use inert gas to keep vapour space safe. Asphalt tankers keep cargo hot. Bunkering vessels transfer fuel to other ships. Floating storage and offloading units store crude before transfer. Main risks are fire, explosion, toxic vapour, oxygen-deficient spaces, and oil spills. Crew must follow enclosed space entry, hot work, and gas testing rules.

Crew on board

The Master and Chief Officer plan cargo work. Deck officers supervise watch on the cargo control room and deck. The Pumpman operates cargo pumps, ballast pumps, valves, and tank cleaning machines. AB and OS handle mooring lines, hoses, loading arms, and tank openings. The Chief Engineer and engine officers maintain cargo pumps, steam or hydraulic systems, boilers, and inert gas generators. Motorman, Oiler, Fitter, and Wiper support engine room work. ETO and Electrician maintain gas detection, tank level alarms, and pump control systems. Cook and Messman keep the crew fed. All crew must follow tanker safety rules at all times.

Special training

For oil tanker work, officers and ratings with cargo duties need a certificate in basic training for oil and chemical tanker cargo operations (STCW V/1-1). This requires STCW basic training (STCW VI/1) plus approved tanker sea service or a basic tanker course. Masters, chief engineer officers, chief mates, second engineer officers and anyone with immediate responsibility for cargo operations need a certificate in advanced training for oil tanker cargo operations (STCW V/1-1). Advanced training requires approved sea service on oil tankers or supervised onboard training with loading and unloading operations.

Requirements

DocumentConventionNote
Basic training for oil and chemical tanker cargo operationsSTCW V/1-1Officers and ratings with specific duties related to cargo or cargo equipment on oil or chemical tankers must hold this certificate.
Advanced training for oil tanker cargo operationsSTCW V/1-1Masters, chief engineer officers, chief mates, second engineer officers and anyone with immediate responsibility for cargo operations on oil tankers must hold this certificate.
Basic safety trainingSTCW VI/1Seafarers must receive safety familiarization and basic training or instruction.

Sea service

Basic tanker training requires STCW basic training (STCW VI/1) plus at least three months of approved seagoing service on oil or chemical tankers, or an approved basic tanker training course (STCW V/1-1). Advanced training requires at least three months of approved seagoing service on oil tankers, or at least one month of supervised onboard training including at least three loading and three unloading operations (STCW V/1-1).

Medical fitness

Seafarers must hold a valid medical certificate before beginning work on a ship (MLC 2006 Reg. 1.2). The certificate is valid for a maximum of two years, or one year if the seafarer is under age 18; a colour vision certificate is valid for a maximum of six years.

Documents

  • Passport
  • Seaman's book or CDC
  • Medical certificate (MLC 2006 Reg. 1.2)
  • Basic training certificate for oil and chemical tanker cargo operations (STCW V/1-1)
  • Advanced training certificate for oil tanker cargo operations if you have cargo responsibility (STCW V/1-1)
  • STCW basic safety training certificate (STCW VI/1)

Ships in our database

16,000+ Oil Tankers in the Krew Guru ships database
Deadweight (DWT), most ships700–233,400
Gross tonnage (GT), most ships400–113,500
Range covers the middle 80% of ships of this type in our database.
Search ships by name or IMO

What employers on Krew Guru ask for

RanksChief Engineer 97%, Second Engineer 3%
Deadweight (DWT)45,000–45,000
Contracts in rank (median)1
Contract length (median)4 months
Open to any nationality100%
Salary, USD per month9,000–9,000p25–p75 by 40 vacancies on Krew Guru with a salary, last 180 days
Based on 40 vacancies on Krew Guru over the last 365 days.

Companies hiring on Oil Tankers now

Jobs on Oil Tankers: questions and answers

What tanker certificate do I need to work on an oil tanker?

If you work with cargo or cargo equipment, you need a Certificate of Proficiency in basic training for oil and chemical tanker cargo operations (STCW V/1-1). Officers and senior engineers with immediate responsibility for cargo operations also need the advanced certificate (STCW V/1-1). Basic training requires STCW basic training (STCW VI/1) plus tanker experience or a course.

What does advanced oil tanker training require?

Advanced training for oil tanker cargo operations requires at least three months of approved seagoing service on oil tankers, or at least one month of supervised onboard training including at least three loading and three unloading operations, plus an approved advanced course. This is under STCW V/1-1.

Who needs advanced oil tanker training on board?

Masters, chief engineer officers, chief mates, second engineer officers and anyone with immediate responsibility for cargo operations on oil tankers must hold the advanced certificate (STCW V/1-1). Other officers and ratings with cargo duties need the basic certificate.

Is the medical certificate rule different for oil tanker crew?

No. The general rule in MLC 2006 Reg. 1.2 applies. You must hold a valid medical certificate before beginning work on a ship. The certificate is valid for a maximum of two years, or one year if you are under 18. A colour vision certificate is valid for a maximum of six years.
40 vacancies in the last 90 days

Sources

Checked against the official texts on 26 Oct 2026.