In November 2024 the International Chamber of shipping said it expected a shortfall of 90,000 trained seafarers by 2026. The reasons cited for the shortage are myriad, ranging from the global pandemic, poor pay and harsh conditions. This article focuses on just three.
Since the retreat of COVID many of the more responsible shipowners, operators and managers have embarked on improving crew welfare, increasing training and diversifying the workforce. But impediments to seafarer recruitment and these will have to be confronted to avoid the predicted shortfall or worse. Among them is a decline in shore leave opportunities, information overload, and a disturbing number of sexual misconduct allegations.
Shore leave