Livestock carriers
Specialised vessels carrying live cattle + sheep — dominant on Australia → Middle East + Ireland/Uruguay/Brazil → Middle East + North Africa trades. Notable Gulf Livestock 1 (2020, all crew lost + ~5,800 cattle) drove global regulatory review.
Work environment
Small crew (25-40) + additional livestock team on longer voyages. Very specific + demanding safety profile — ammonia + methane atmosphere below decks, animal-welfare compliance (Australian Livestock Export Program), noise + odour. Voyages typically 14-28 days.
Common ranks onboard
- master
- chief officer
- second officer
- chief engineer
- second engineer
- third engineer
- bosun
- able seafarer deck
- motorman
- ship cook
Typical certificates
- BST
- PSCRB
- AFF
- MFA
- Livestock-carrier familiarisation
Generate a tailored list with the STCW certificate checker.
Safety risks
- Ammonia + methane accumulation in livestock decks
- Fire risk in fodder storage
- Enclosed-space entry with elevated toxic atmospheres
- Animal-welfare compliance failures
Salary reference
/salaries/vessel/livestock
Related
Primary sources
High confidence
Last verified