Viking Line Cargo’s Sales Manager Kim Lindström has been in the service of the red ships for 21 years.

Many of those who are looking for temporary work take jobs at shipping companies. Temporary staff are needed during the peak season in particular, as the ships are packed with holidaymakers.

“Towards the end of my business administration studies, I started wondering how I could make some extra money,” says Kim Lindström.

He had some acquaintances who worked as temporary staff for Viking Line, so he called the shipping company’s office and enquired about work.

“And that’s how it all started. I worked on the Rosella on the Helsinki–Tallinn line for a few weekends in late 2003, then for a few weeks, and then permanently. I’ve gone through almost all of the store-related roles since then. For the last 15 years, I’ve been a store manager on a number of different ships and have also been involved in a broad variety of projects,” says Lindström.

Lindström’s last ship project was designing Viking Glory’s tax-free shop.

“I was working with the Glory during both the construction phase and the ship’s first summer season in service, before transferring to Cargo on 22 August 2022.”

Pleasant people inspired me to stay

Lindström says that Viking Line’s ships have incredible teams. It was one of the factors that made him stay and choose a career at sea.

“I met some really great people on board and made some good friends. I got used to spending one week at work followed by a week off. It was ideal for my life situation at the time. But it was undeniably a challenge to be away at sea after my wife and children came along a bit later. On the other hand, I had much more time to spend with my children when I was at home during my weeks off.”

You work on board for about a week and then get the following week off. In addition to these free days, you also get a three-week holiday every six months.

Let’s see whether I find myself back aboard a ship one day.

“In other words, you spend more than half the year off work. Of course, this means that you may not be able to do any hobbies that require regular attendance, as you can only take part when you’re at home. A sports team member has to attend regularly, as you can’t miss ten days of training.”

“So there are both good and bad sides to this, as with any other job.”

“Sometimes I yearn to go back to sea”

Seafarers often say that they miss both the sea and the distinctive life that’s shaped by it. Lindström also admits that he misses the sea from time to time.

“Working at sea is hectic, and no two days are ever alike. That was one great feature of working on the ships. But in my current life situation, I’m really happy to have a job ashore. Still, ‘never say never’. Let’s see whether I find myself back aboard a ship one day,” he laughs.

Lindström says that his former work at sea has a lot in common with his current career with cargo. He has a similar sense of purpose and ambition with regard to everything he does.

“The sales situation is, of course, very different from that aboard a ship. We take a longer-term view of our customer relationships, and work with our customers to find the best possible solutions regardless of whether we’re dealing with a contract customer or a one-off special transport that requires customisation. Everyone who works in sales has to find their own way of doing things and be as good as possible at what they do. This applies to my earlier and current work. I try to do everything as well as possible.”

Hundreds of encounters a day

Both selling cargo and working with customers on ships are equally important. Neither could succeed without the other.

“Working on ships has given me a lot of experience in how to get along with people. You can meet hundreds of new people a day when you work on a ship. Everyone must be treated equally, and the right solutions must be found for each customer. And that has always been my goal: satisfied customers.”

Note! Dozens of professionals work on board a ship. Skilled personnel are also needed ashore.

In addition to his business administration studies, Lindström has received training in both onboard stores and his current work with cargo. Viking Line has given him the opportunity to learn and take courses related to his profession. And if help has ever been needed, it has always been there.

“I try to enjoy the present and live in the moment, because you never know what the future will bring. I’m really happy right now.”

Responsible for Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland

At Viking Line Cargo, Lindström is responsible for the Nordic countries of Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. Bilingualism is a clear advantage in this role.

“I aim to visit my clients three or four times a year to make sure that everything is going exactly as agreed. I started in my current role during the pandemic, so client meetings were held over Teams at that time. Some still are, of course, but customers value face-to-face meetings. Being able to meet with clients in person enriches the work we do together.”