Bimco-ICS report warns of shortage of 15,000 officers by 2025
THE Baltic and International Maritime Council and the International Chamber of Shipping (Bimco-ICS) Manpower Report says there will be a potential shortage of 150,000 sea officers by 2025.
Unveiled at the International Maritime Organisation, the latest five-year Bimco/ICS Manpower Report identifies a current shortfall of 16,500 officers, and the need for an additional 147,500 officers by 2025 to service the world's merchant fleet.
"The global supply of officers is forecast to increase steadily, but this is predicted to be outpaced by increasing demand," an ICS statement said.
"Some officer categories are in especially short supply, including engineer officers at management level and officers needed for specialised ships such as chemical, LNG and LPG carriers."
China is thought to have overtaken the Philippines as the largest single source of seafarers qualified for international trade.
But big shipping companies find the availability of Chinese for international service may be limited with Filipinos, Russians, Ukrainians and Indians having to take up the slack.
Said ICS secretary general Peter Hinchliffe: "Without continuing efforts to promote careers at sea and improve levels of recruitment and retention, the report suggests it cannot be guaranteed that there will be an abundant supply of seafarers in the future."
THE Baltic and International Maritime Council and the International Chamber of Shipping (Bimco-ICS) Manpower Report says there will be a potential shortage of 150,000 sea officers by 2025.
Unveiled at the International Maritime Organisation, the latest five-year Bimco/ICS Manpower Report identifies a current shortfall of 16,500 officers, and the need for an additional 147,500 officers by 2025 to service the world's merchant fleet.
"The global supply of officers is forecast to increase steadily, but this is predicted to be outpaced by increasing demand," an ICS statement said.
"Some officer categories are in especially short supply, including engineer officers at management level and officers needed for specialised ships such as chemical, LNG and LPG carriers."
China is thought to have overtaken the Philippines as the largest single source of seafarers qualified for international trade.
But big shipping companies find the availability of Chinese for international service may be limited with Filipinos, Russians, Ukrainians and Indians having to take up the slack.
Said ICS secretary general Peter Hinchliffe: "Without continuing efforts to promote careers at sea and improve levels of recruitment and retention, the report suggests it cannot be guaranteed that there will be an abundant supply of seafarers in the future."