The AÜG (Arbeitnehmerüberlassungsgesetz) is the German law regulating the leasing of employees. Under §§ 1 and 2 of the AÜG, any company that provides workers to another company in Germany must hold a permit from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency). Danubian Crew holds this permit from the Agentur für Arbeit Düsseldorf, which legally authorizes us to provide crew members to German vessel operators. Without this permit, employee leasing in Germany would be illegal.

The transfer process follows three phases: (1) Operational Review — we analyze your current crew structure, vessel operations, and employment requirements; (2) Pilot Transfer — we transfer one vessel crew or operational segment to validate the model; (3) Full Deployment — we centralize crew employment and administration while you maintain full operational control of your vessels. The entire process is designed to minimize disruption to your operations.

Depending on your operational structure and current employment country, the Danubian Crew model can reduce total crew employment costs by approximately 25–40%. This is achieved through centralized Bulgarian employment (lower social security contributions compared to Western Europe), economies of scale in administration, and streamlined certificate and travel management. Use our Crew Cost Calculator for an indicative estimate based on your specific parameters.

No. Danubian Crew handles the employment, payroll, and administrative aspects of crew management. You retain full operational control over your vessels, including scheduling, route planning, safety protocols, and day-to-day vessel operations. The crew works under your operational direction while being legally employed by Danubian Crew.

We support all major European inland navigation vessel types: cargo barges (dry cargo and tanker), push boats, river cruise vessels, and service/maintenance vessels. Our crew pool includes specialists for each vessel category, from boatmasters and engineers to hospitality staff for cruise operations.

Danubian Crew operates across the entire European inland waterway network, with particular focus on the Danube corridor (Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania), the Rhine network (Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium), and the Rhine–Main–Danube connection linking the North Sea to the Black Sea.

A pilot transfer typically takes 2–4 weeks, including contract preparation, A1 certificate issuance, and crew briefing. Full fleet deployment depends on fleet size and can range from 1–3 months. We work closely with shipowners to ensure minimal operational disruption during the transition period.

Required certificates depend on the position and operating country. Typically, inland navigation crew need: a valid boatmaster's licence or steersman's certificate (CESNI or national), medical fitness certificate, basic safety training, and for certain positions, radar and radio certificates. Danubian Crew actively monitors certificate validity and assists with renewals to ensure continuous compliance.

Visit our Crew Careers page and complete the application form with your personal details, qualifications, languages, and professional experience. After reviewing your profile, our team will contact you regarding available assignments. Response time is typically 5–10 business days. We recruit for positions including boatmasters, steersmen, deckhands, engineers, cooks, and stewards.

Yes. Danubian Crew EOOD is a registered Bulgarian Temporary Work Enterprise (Certificate No. 530 / 14.01.2026) and holds a German AÜG permit from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit. Our employment model operates within the European employment framework, including EU Regulation (EC) 883/2004 for social security coordination, and aligns with CESNI inland navigation standards.