SSTG - PaccShip UK

[Sean.11]

Is anyone starting in January or February with PaccShip through SSTG or has anyone previously trained with them?

I'm trying for Deck and was planning on starting in September however, I had a phone call off SSTG saying something has come up and they can offer me a place with PaccShip UK starting February 13th. Does anyone know anything about PaccShip?

I'm really struggling to make a decision here. I either go for this in Feb or wait and take my chances with another company for the September intake.

Any advice?

Thanks.

[EFC92]

I don't know a lot about PaccShip but I will suggest calling SSTG to find out if you're place for September is guarranteed; as we know there is good news about the decision with SMarT funding but we're yet to find out how the companys are reacting to this in terms of intake. If you're place for September is not guaranteed there may be a surge in applications over the coming months providing better competition for the places and SSTG may revoke it if there is no guarantee.

Also ask them about whether being sponsored by PaccShip affects whether you will be able to train on a variety of vessels, I know some of the training agencies (SSTG, Clyde) have sponsorship by one particular company per cadet (i.e. the one putting up the ???) but you may still be able to train on a variety of vessels regardless of who you are sponsored by; that being said you will spend the majority of training time on your sponsored companies vessels, but may still experience Containers, ferries, dredgers, tankers etc.

If you are still able to train on a few ship types and/or are happy with PaccShip being your sponsor, I say go for it now. In the shipping industry things change all the time!
So best get your "foot in the door" now if you are not certain of being allowed in September with a company of your preferred choice, get on the course as soon as possible because its all the same qualification regardless.

[danielbv07]

Is anyone starting in January or February with PaccShip through SSTG or has anyone previously trained with them?

I'm trying for Deck and was planning on starting in September however, I had a phone call off SSTG saying something has come up and they can offer me a place with PaccShip UK starting February 13th. Does anyone know anything about PaccShip?

I'm really struggling to make a decision here. I either go for this in Feb or wait and take my chances with another company for the September intake.

Any advice?

Thanks.

Hi Sean, my advice would be to phone SSTG and accept the offer. I've read good things about Paccship as a sponsor (I believe there are a few deck cadets on here sponsored by them).

[Fox]

With all of possible changes to funding and maybe increased fees I would say take the offer

[CharlieDelta]

I have worked with a third mate who trained with Paccship. He seemed to have a good time, mainly on bulk carriers. I'd go for it, best to get in now I'd say.

[Sean.11]

Thanks for the replies, I have accepted the interview for next Thursday (Although he said the place is almost guaranteed). He said if I change my mind about taking the offer over the next few days don't hesitate to ring/email him, So I thought i'd get as much information over the weekend and make a final decision for Monday.

I forgot to mention SSTG said it is for HNC as a lot of companies are not putting cadets through their HND because it is no longer cost efficient. I know this is the case because a few lads I know in their fourth phase have been told they will not be doing their HND. Is there much difference between the two qualifications?

I don't know a lot about PaccShip but I will suggest calling SSTG to find out if you're place for September is guarranteed; as we know there is good news about the decision with SMarT funding but we're yet to find out how the companys are reacting to this in terms of intake. If you're place for September is not guaranteed there may be a surge in applications over the coming months providing better competition for the places and SSTG may revoke it if there is no guarantee.

I should have been clearer before sorry, I don't have any guaranteed offers for September for any company. I have applied for SSTG, Maersk, Clyde and Princess so far for the September intake and I'm just waiting on replies. That's why I originally said I either take this offer or wait and take my chances on getting a place with someone in Sept.

I'm glad I got some positive replies about the company then because I've spoke to someone with Paccship who does not like it. I'm going to weigh out the positives and negatives over the next couple of days then decide.

[EFC92]

PaccShip name has been mentioned quite a few times before, so search the forum / blogs for anymore info. I'm sure with them being so prolific that they must be reasonably good; you get the odd bad reviews about every company it just depends on wether the cadet in question had the right attitude, bad reviews may also come from having been unlucky and catching officers in bad moods. Its always worth going for it though as I'm sure the good experiences will far outweigh the bad!

[tlloyd1983]

PaccShip, part of the Singapore based PCL group. Small container ships and bulkers as someone said. A friend is with them, and he has had a good time, Filipino officers I believe, judging by his photos. I have seen their ships occasionally when I was in Singapore, not that new, but look quite well maintained. I am sure you will have a good time. Just a fun fact, their logo looks like Pac Man. :-)

[CharlieDelta]

Think the officers may be Chinese, or Chinese/Fillipino mix.

[Sean.11]

PaccShip, part of the Singapore based PCL group. Small container ships and bulkers as someone said. A friend is with them, and he has had a good time, Filipino officers I believe, judging by his photos. I have seen their ships occasionally when I was in Singapore, not that new, but look quite well maintained. I am sure you will have a good time. Just a fun fact, their logo looks like Pac Man. :-)

Thanks, I'm glad your friend had a good time. Hopefully I will if I end up with them.

I'm starting to edge toward just going for it, it means I can get started sooner rather than later. I got an email with some information about PaccShip and it says ...

Paccships Operates and manages a fleet of seven multi-purpose vessels from 3 to 5 years old, four containerships between 5 and 6 years old and three large bulk carriers that are 2 years old. All of the ships trade on a worldwide basis for the account of a wide variety of charterers.

So by the looks of things their oldest ship is roughly 6 years old, Which seems very good if so ...

[alisummerly]

Hi, I've been offered sponsorship with Paccships starting in September, if anyone has any infromation what it likes, or is starting in September, let me know cheers

alex