Ship Purser
せんぱくぱーさー
Industry & Occupation
Classification
Summary
A ship purser is a profession responsible for clerical tasks related to passengers and cargo, accounting, inventory management, passenger services, and other general administrative duties on board ships such as passenger ships and cargo ships.
Description
Ship pursers handle check-in/out and seat assignments for passengers on passenger ships and ferries, payment processing, management of billing for onboard shops and dining, and on cargo ships, they prepare and manage bills of lading, ship manifests, and customs documents. They also create accounting ledgers, manage inventory and consumables, provide currency exchange services, respond to inquiries from passengers and shippers, assist with announcements and responses during emergencies, and perform a wide range of tasks. Accurate and prompt clerical processing and high customer service skills are required. For international routes, language skills such as English are also important.
Future Outlook
Stable demand is expected with the expansion of cruise travel and cargo transportation, while the acquisition of digital skills will become increasingly important due to advances in digitalization and automation.
Personality Traits
Can pay attention to details / Can respond flexibly / Has excellent communication skills / Is calm and composed / Is considerate
Work Style
Domestic Routes / International Voyages / Long-term Sea Voyages / Resident on Board / Shift
Career Path
Onboard Clerical Staff → Junior Purser → Senior Purser → Chief Purser → Supervisor → Port Operations Manager
Required Skills
Basic English Conversation / Bookkeeping / Customer Service Skills / Office Software (Dedicated Terminal Operation)
Recommended Skills
Database Management / English (TOEIC 700+) / Excel (Advanced) / Maritime Shipping Industry Knowledge / Multilingual Capabilities
Aptitudes (Strengths Preferred)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Adaptability | Because it is necessary to quickly adapt to changes in maritime environments and sailing schedules. |
| Attention to Detail & Accuracy | To prevent errors in accounting and document processing. |
| Communication Skills | To communicate smoothly with diverse passengers. |
| Numerical & Quantitative Analysis | Because mathematical skills are required for ledger management and inventory counting. |
| Planning & Organization | Because the ability to plan, organize, and manage onboard operations and passenger services is important. |
| Stress Tolerance | Because it is necessary to endure stress from long hours and passenger interactions. |
Aptitudes (Weaknesses Acceptable)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Creativity & Ideation | Since routine tasks are the main focus and accuracy is valued over creativity. |
Related Qualifications
- Japan Chamber of Commerce Bookkeeping Certification Level 3
- STCW Basic Training
- TOEIC
Aliases
- Onboard Purser
- Purser
- Ship Purser
Related Jobs
- Airline Purser
- Cabin Attendant
- Clerical Worker
- Logistics Manager