Get to Know Us

With over 190 years of maritime experience, Svitzer is a global leader in towage and marine services. Across Australia and Papua New Guinea, our tug crews help keep ports safe, efficient, and moving. When you join Svitzer, you become part of a proud maritime tradition and a team that works with purpose, discipline, and respect.

Why You’ll Want to Join Us

We’re looking to connect with experienced Mates who are interested in upcoming opportunities with our operations in Papua New Guinea. Based in Port Moresby, you’ll have the opportunity to work in a hands-on operational environment where your seamanship, judgement and leadership make a difference every day.

How You’ll Make a Difference

As a Tug Mate, you’ll be second in command and lead and manage your crew when relieving for the Master / in charge of navigational watch. Reporting to the Master onboard, your responsibilities will include:

• Coordinate crew attendance, provisioning stores, and ensuring operational readiness
• Ensure compliance with Svitzer policies and statutory obligations, including quality assurance and ISM procedures
• Manage crew discipline and escalating issues when necessary
• Supervise and assist with tug maintenance
• Prepare operational reports
• Conduct induction training for visitors, employees, and authorized personnel
• Lead and motivate the crew on safety management system compliance
• Adhere to roster arrangements and standing orders
• Engage in skills and competency training, including training other crew members and trainees

What You’ll Bring

To thrive in this role, you’ll bring:

• Valid Mate Class 3 Certificate of Competency from an approved regional maritime training institution (such as the PNG Maritime College)
• SOLAS Certification: Up-to-date Safety of Life at Sea training certificates certified by the NMSA
• GMDSS Certificate: Valid Global Maritime Distress and Safety System radio operator certificate
• A current NMSA Medical Fitness Certificate applicable to the Certificate of Competency
• Relevant experience in the maritime industry (harbour towage experience would be an advantage)
• PNG Passport with validity of more than six months

Building a Diverse Workplace

In Svitzer we value the diversity of our talent and will always strive to recruit the best person for the job – we value diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to gender, age, nationality, race, sexual orientation, disability, or religious beliefs. We are proud of our diversity and see it as a genuine source of strength for building high performing teams.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that members from some under-represented groups are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t meet every single qualification. At Svitzer we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles, and we are excited about hearing from you!

How to Apply

To apply for this role, please click on the 'Apply Now' button and create a Candidate Home to manage your applications.