Career
Employee Interviews
Shipping Agency Operator
Keito Katsuda
Q. Please tell us about your current responsibilities.
I handle arrival and departure procedures at Kobe Port on behalf of the vessels calling here. When a ship docks or departs, I board the vessel to exchange documents with the captain or senior officers and explain or confirm schedules and required information in English. About 80% of my work involves administrative tasks related to port entry and exit procedures, while the remaining 20% consists of on-site attendance during vessel arrivals.
Q. What led you to join Nordic Agencies?
I majored in English at university, but after graduating I worked in sales at an automotive dealership. I had very few opportunities to use the English I had studied, and I began to feel unsatisfied. Around the time I started looking for a new career, I came across this company. I had never heard the term "ship agency" before, but when I learned that the job involved meeting and working directly with people from overseas, I decided to join.
Q. What do you find most rewarding about this job?
The greatest appeal is definitely the opportunity to speak directly with people from many different countries and to deepen both my English skills and my understanding of other cultures. I enjoy building trust—sometimes even engaging in friendly conversation along the way. The work can be tense at times because accuracy and speed are essential, but when a vessel departs safely without any issues, the sense of accomplishment is huge.
Q. Are there any aspects of the work style or benefits that you find appealing?
Depending on a ship's arrival or departure schedule, there are times when overtime is required, but taking paid leave is very easy. We manage attendance using a company-provided smartphone, and overtime pay is calculated and paid down to the minute. In recent years, bonuses have been given three times a year, which makes it motivating to see your efforts reflected in your salary.
Q. How would you describe the workplace atmosphere?
Our team includes employees of many different ages, but communication is always active, and I feel that it's an environment where you can work without feeling tense. Many colleagues are very experienced, so I can ask questions freely and feel confident tackling my work.
Q. Do you have anything you'd like to take on in the future?
After joining the company, I spent some time working mainly on documents, but I am currently in charge of vessel arrival/departure operations and onboard work. Going forward, I hope to further broaden the scope of my responsibilities and use that to advance my career.
Logistics Operator
Masaki Kadoya
Q. Please tell us about your current responsibilities.
I am responsible for delivering food supplies and onboard equipment to vessels. I handle everything from preparing estimates to arranging orders and completing deliveries. I personally drive our company truck to the market, load several tons of food, and deliver them directly to the ship. While I've gotten used to the overall workflow, the sheer volume and scale of what we handle still amazes me.
Q. What do you find most rewarding about this job?
When I bring food supplies onboard, the crew members are genuinely happy to receive them. Hearing them enthusiastically say 'Thank you!' is something that makes me happy every single time. Most of the crew are from overseas, so building trust through communication in English is also a major attraction of this job. With some crew members I've gotten close to, I even have chances to go out or have meals together.
Q. Are there any aspects of the work style or benefits that you find appealing?
There are no convenience stores or restaurants around the port, but there is a company cafeteria inside the terminal building, and we receive a lunch subsidy as part of our benefits. Thanks to that, employees can essentially use the cafeteria for free. It's incredibly helpful.
Q. How would you describe the workplace atmosphere?
It's an open workplace where it's easy to talk with anyone, regardless of age or position. There's an atmosphere where you can naturally shift from casual conversation into discussing work matters, and a culture where people naturally reach out when someone seems to be struggling. Coordination between on-site teams is also smooth, and I feel it's an environment where it's easy to work together as a team.
Q. Do you have anything you'd like to take on in the future?
I always liked English and studied it on my own, but after joining the company I've had more opportunities to communicate with Chinese crew members, so I recently started studying Chinese as well. I even get chances to use it around town, and little by little I can feel myself improving. Going forward, I want to continue polishing both my English and Chinese skills.
Job Openings & Application Guidelines
Shipping Agency Operator
We handle applications and provide attendance services for foreign trade vessels calling at the Port
of Kobe.
Port clearance requires submitting all necessary documents and information to the relevant authorities
accurately and on time through the designated system. Attendance duties involve visiting vessels in
port, communicating with agents and crew, and managing operations to ensure that the ship sails
according to schedule. Daily interactions are conducted in English, both in conversation and via
email.
| Work Location | 9-10, Minatojima, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan 650-0045 |
|---|---|
| Employment Status | Full-time Employee |
| Age Requirement | Under 35 years old (for long-term career development) |
| Working Hours | 9:00-17:00 |
| Salary | From ¥250,000 per month |
| Salary Increase | Once a year |
| Bonus | Twice a year |
| Holidays | Total of 100 days, including Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and other days according to the company calendar |
| Allowances | Commuting allowance/Overtime allowance |
| Qualifications & Skills |
Valid driver's license (automatic transmission allowed) Basic English communication skills |
Logistics Operator
As a Logistics Operator, you will receive requests from captains, ship owners, or management companies to handle supplies for crews on board. This includes preparing estimates for food provisions, obtaining the necessary goods, and delivering them to the ship. You will also manage the supply of ship equipment and handle the shipping procedures for items unloaded on land.
| Work Location |
Headquarters:
9-10, Minatojima, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo
Prefecture, Japan 650-0045
Nagata Warehouse:
#102, 6-chome 2-28, Nagara-cho, Nagata-ku,
Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture 653-0054
|
|---|---|
| Employment Status | Full-time Employee |
| Age Requirement | Under 35 years old (for long-term career development) |
| Working Hours | 9:00～17:00 |
| Salary | From ¥250,000 per month |
| Salary Increase | Once a year |
| Bonus | Twice a year |
| Holidays | Total of 100 days, including Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and other days according to the company calendar |
| Allowances | Commuting allowance/Overtime allowance |
| Qualifications & Skills |
Valid driver's license (automatic transmission allowed) Basic English communication skills |
Job Openings & Application Guidelines
We are not accepting applications at this time.
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