cargocrew

Cargocrew is a term used to describe personnel who perform or oversee cargo transportation and handling across transport modes, especially aviation and maritime. The category covers flight crews on freight operations as well as ground and onboard personnel who manage loading, securing, and monitoring cargo.

In aviation, cargocrew typically refers to the flight crew of a freighter aircraft, including captain and first officer. Some operators employ on-board cargo specialists such as loadmasters or cargo supervisors who verify weight and balance, supervise cargo restraint, and monitor environmental conditions, depending on aircraft type and regulatory requirements.

In maritime contexts, cargocrew denotes seafarers involved in cargo operations aboard container ships, bulk carriers, and other freight vessels. The crew performs loading and discharge, lashings and stowage planning, and cargo securing to meet safety and stability requirements. Seafarers working in cargo operations are generally trained under national or international standards such as STCW.

Training and certification requirements vary by mode and country. Aviation crews must hold appropriate pilot licenses and type ratings, along with mandated safety and cargo-specific training. Maritime crews require STCW-compliant training for seafaring, plus sector-specific cargo handling qualifications and security awareness.

Industry context: cargocrew are employed by airlines operating cargo services, shipping lines, freight forwarders, and third-party logistics providers. They operate under strict safety, weight and balance, dangerous goods, and security regulations to ensure efficient and compliant cargo transport.

Recent trends include digital load planning, enhanced cargo visibility, crew-rostering optimization, and increased use of automation and remote monitoring to support cargo operations.