Stevedore

Job Description and Activities

Stevedore is the name used to describe someone who transfers cargo between ship and shore, either mechanically or manually. The activities required of them will depend on the type of ship or cargo being worked, but would normally include the following:

• Physical tasks – loading or unloading cargo into freight containers, placing passengers’ baggage onto trailers, securing containers on the deck of a ship and the tying and untying of ships’ ropes when arriving or leaving the port.
• Driving vehicles – stevedores are often required to operate a variety of vehicles. These can include all sizes of vehicle including articulated heavy goods vehicles, lift trucks and electric trolleys. Many ports also import/export vehicles as cargo that requires driving onto and off ships. These can include high performance cars, combine harvesters and army tanks.
• Operating equipment – whilst some ships can be loaded and unloaded using wheeled vehicles, other ships need to be worked using highly technical specialist equipment. This equipment can include ship to shore cranes for containers and general cargo, conveyor belts/suction pipes for grain or bulk powders and pipelines for oil tankers.

The Working Environment

Working hours and conditions typically include regular unsocial hours. There may be some on-call requirement and shift and weekend work is very likely.
The work involves physical labour, working outside and at height.
There are more males than females currently employed within the industry, but this is changing.

Salary

Stevedores usually start on a wage of around £12,000, which can rise to £30,000. Earnings are often dependent upon the complexity of the equipment stevedores are required to operate and the unsocial hours they are required to work.

Entry Requirements

Many ports will have training programmes in place for new employees; however most will require a full driving licence as a minimum requirement. A forklift or HGV licence would also be useful. Due to age restrictions on operating some port equipment, Stevedores are not normally employed under the age of 18 years. An N/SVQ level 2 has been developed for Port Operations, with a pathway in stevedoring. An apprenticeship in Port Operations, with a pathway for Stevedoring, is currently under development.

Career Development

The natural progression route for a Stevedore is to become a stevedoring team leader (in larger ports), and from there a stevedoring supervisor. There are two qualifications aimed at preparing employees for these jobs:

• Stevedoring Team Leader – N/SVQ in Port Operations
• Stevedoring Supervisor – N/SVQ in Supervision of Port Operations