What will you do?
Whether you work as a docker, stevedore or loader-unloader, you determine the right working method for each job, handle goods and containers and make sure every load is properly secured and covered. You keep the work records up to date, maintain your workstation and always work safely and with respect for the environment. It is physical outdoor work in transport and logistics, in the world of sea and inland shipping.
- Load and unload ships, trains and trucks
- Stack goods and secure the cargo
- Check the condition of the loads
- Determine the right working method for each job
- Keep the work records up to date
- Maintain your workstation
- Work safely and with respect for the environment
Skills to develop
- Physically strong and fit for heavy work in all weather conditions
- Safety-conscious during hoisting, lashing and stacking
- Willing to work in shifts and at weekends
- A real team player in a dock gang
Your foundation for this occupation
Check entry and recognition for the port and activity. Belgian dock work has its own framework; ordinary warehouse experience does not replace it. Ask the competent port organisation about training and whether duties involve general work, checking or machinery.
From preparation to your first day
Develop the practical skills
Link goods and identifiers to the assignment. Practise handling and communication under supervision. Account for vessels, vehicles and other crews. Additional equipment requires training, not simply a colleague's permission.
Check your work
Check cargo condition and identity and record deviations. Report damage before further handling as instructed. Keep records aligned with physical movement so the next party knows location and condition.
How can you grow?
Specialise through occupational, machinery or leadership pathways. Ask about shifts, call arrangements and physical demands. Containers and breakbulk involve different work; describe experience by activity.
Frequently asked questions
Does a forklift certificate qualify me for every dock job?
No. Recognition, training and authority depend on activity and function. The certificate may help but does not replace port-specific conditions. Verify the entry route.