BIMCO to address global shortage of seafarers

The growing shortage of seafarers has become an issue of global concern in light of the recent rapid growth of the maritime industry. It is broadly pointed out that the reason for this shortfall is that fewer young people are attracted to the seafaring profession and young seafarers want to move on to land-based jobs.
If this situation continues, the smooth flow of maritime shipping, which is responsible for 90 percent of the world's commodities transport, will face a potential crisis.

It has become an urgent global matter to consider what governments, the shipping industry and international organisations should do to secure a sufficient number of young seafarers to meet the future needs of the shipping industry.

In this regard, IMO has already launched the campaign, called "Go to sea!" as introduced on its website. In particular, in order for the shipping industry standing at the centre of the problem to secure the necessary quantity of quality young people who can pursue a lifetime career in the seafaring profession, the shipping industry as an employment field must become much more attractive and competitive as compared with other employment fields in the long term prospect.

The fundamental solution is to improve the public image and status of the shipping industry by developing a corporate social responsibility agenda that will attract potential young seafarers to the maritime profession. (source: Baird Maritime)

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