A recent news article published in the Gcaptain by Hrishi Olickel and Irina Carbunaru states that COVID-19’s Impact on Seafarer Populations Will be Felt for Years to Come.
Crew change crisis is raging on
The crew change crisis is raging on, as changing Covid-19 restrictions complicate seafarer movements – and the ripple effects may continue to spread for the next five years. The crewing crisis and the increasing safety risks of operating in a tense geopolitical environment are harming morale. Operations and training institutes are impaired by increased restrictions. There are concerns that seafarer population growth, which is already lower than needed, will slow down even further.
This slowdown needs to be tackled at every stage of the crewing process: from improved training for seafarers at the very start of their careers, accelerated accreditation for senior managers and a holistic approach to crew welfare.
With reduced workforces, many maritime operators are facing difficult decisions to maintain services. Companies will have to be at the forefront of crewing innovation, or the lack of human power will wreak havoc on global supply chains.
Issues in shipping have been exacerbated by the pandemic
While challenges in the shipping industry may have been overlooked before, border closures drew attention to how goods move between countries, with the seafaring profession that supports the global supply chain taking center stage. With increased awareness comes a decrease in seafarers looking to join the industry, slowing down seafarer population growth further. While awareness of the supply chains of goods is growing, the supply chain of crew is often overlooked.
At its core, the crew change crisis stems from the restrictions on movement from the early days of the pandemic. Seafarers with 6 or 9 month contracts were sometimes stranded onboard for more than 18 months while teams on land were unable to board vessels. Seafarers stuck on ships have been struggling with increasing fatigue and interpersonal tensions alongside declining mental and physical health, jeopardising maritime safety. There is a growing weariness, compounded by the feeling that ships are working even harder to deliver on increased trade.
But the issues run deeper, with impacts being felt at the very start of the crewing lifecycle: training institutions. Lockdowns and social distancing meant training institutes were closed, exams cancelled and certification processes ground to a halt. Seafarers still looking to work have been unable to renew their licences, reducing the senior officer workforce further on this technicality.
Crew safety used to be the primary concern of ship managers globally, but crew welfare is increasing in importance; failing to meet these needs risks alienating the diminishing workforce further.
The impact on the future of maritime if we don’t act now
While there is a shortage of seafarers, there’s no shortage of demand for crew. We are likely to see the situation worsen in as soon as two years, according to the 2021 Seafarer Workforce Report. The world fleet is predicted to grow by 6.4% over the next five years, while a study by the International Chamber of Shipping found that demand for officers has increased by 24.1% without an increase in supply, meaning a shortage of approximately 16,500 officers. This projected shortage will disproportionately affect smaller shipowners, operators and ship managers.
These impacts will not be felt evenly, and some economies will suffer more than others. Seafaring is not an attractive profession in countries with better jobs onshore, which further reduces the pool of available workers. For example, in Singapore, companies are restricted to hiring Singaporeans while competing against attractive onshore jobs. These regulations will have to be relaxed in order to hire seafarers from less-economically developed countries with fewer competitive job opportunities, like Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam. Relying on workers from these countries can also be complicated, as they can be subject to more stringent immigration requirements.
Given the projected shortage of qualified seafarers, companies need to increase their efforts and resources associated with recruiting and developing sustainable crew pools. Without crew, shipping companies have their operations disrupted.
Crew wellbeing must become the industry’s north star
Seafarers are the lifeblood of the maritime industry; the tide that moves goods globally. The industry needs to challenge the long held view that people come second to cargo and profits – without human power the supply chain is broken.
As demand grows and the workforce dwindles, individual crew members are coming under increased pressure. Higher wages aren’t enough to retain staff, shipping companies need to keep their crew engaged, and build collaborative relationships based on trust and loyalty by showing care for worker welfare and wellbeing. Research from Indonesia has shown that a work-life balance has a direct impact on work effectiveness – happy and rested crews are more efficient workers.
In a rapidly changing global landscape, where pandemics, route blockages and military campaigns can cause mass-scale disruptions throughout the industry, maritime decision makers need to future proof their crews and operations by taking a more resilient approach to protecting their core needs.
If nothing changes, the industry risks losing its workers at an unprecedented rate. It’s key to bring a human touch to ensure crew wellbeing in shipping. This ensures that the crew are happy and healthy, which keeps the global supply chain running.
Conclusion
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought existing resourcing issues in maritime to the forefront of the global conversation, with the crew change crisis exposing the gaps in wellbeing considerations onboard. This has to be addressed urgently, or it will further slow down seafarer population growth.
Lack of action will lead to massive repercussions across the global value chain and within the shipping crew supply chain. Smaller operators risk being disrupted beyond recovery, which will drastically redraw the competition landscape of the shipping industry.
Digitalising crew processes is not just about smoother operations. Ultimately, doing so will ensure that crew managers can free up time so that they can focus on bringing a greater human touch to supporting crew competence and welfare too. By proactively addressing the crew change crisis and stalled training programs, we can address dwindling crew numbers and lay the foundations for a more productive and engaged workforce.
Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe
Source: Gcaptain
Trend Maze‘s Premium Gold Services, where excellence meets sophistication. Elevate your experience with exclusive access to curated content, personalized recommendations, and VIP privileges. From luxury travel guides to haute couture fashion insights, immerse yourself in a world of opulence and refinement.
Expedition Route, your premier destination for diverse and enriching content spanning a myriad of topics. Immerse yourself in a world of exploration as we delve into travel adventures, fashion trends, technological innovations, and cultural insights.
Aralen Blogger, a vibrant platform where curiosity meets enlightenment. Dive into a diverse array of topics including travel, fashion, technology, lifestyle, and beyond. Explore insightful articles, trend analyses, and expert advice curated to inform, entertain, and inspire.
Discover Princess Holiday, your go-to source for an array of enriching content. From insightful travel guides and fashion trends to cutting-edge technology updates, we’ve got you covered. Explore diverse topics, uncover hidden gems, and embark on a journey of knowledge and inspiration.
Chloe Blog, your ultimate destination for travel, fashion, technology, country insights, and holiday inspirations. Explore the latest travel trends, discover fashion tips from diverse cultures, stay updated on innovative travel tech, and uncover hidden gems around the world.
Creative Corner, your ultimate destination for travel, fashion, technology, country insights, and holiday inspirations. Explore the latest travel trends, discover fashion tips from diverse cultures, stay updated on innovative travel tech, and uncover hidden gems around the world.
Enter the world of Queen World, where exploration meets enlightenment. Delve into captivating content across various domains including travel, fashion, technology, and lifestyle. Stay abreast of trends, gain insights, and embark on a journey of discovery with our diverse range of articles.
The Muse, your digital haven for a rich tapestry of content. Dive into a diverse array of topics including travel, fashion, technology, lifestyle, and beyond. Stay informed with insightful articles, explore the latest trends, and embark on virtual adventures.
Digital Dreams, your premier destination for insightful content across various domains. From riveting travel escapades to cutting-edge tech updates, and from the latest fashion trends to enriching lifestyle advice, we offer a diverse array of articles to cater to every curiosity.
Holiday Compass, where curiosity meets enlightenment. Dive into a treasure trove of engaging content spanning travel, fashion, technology, lifestyle, and beyond. Explore the latest trends, uncover insightful articles, and embark on virtual adventures across diverse topics.
Queen Travel‘s Premium Gold Services, where excellence meets sophistication. Elevate your experience with exclusive access to curated content, personalized recommendations, and VIP privileges. From luxury travel guides to haute couture fashion insights, immerse yourself in a world of opulence and refinement.
Blog Cafe, your ultimate destination for travel, fashion, technology, country insights, and holiday inspiration. Explore the world’s wonders, stay trendy with global fashion insights, leverage the latest travel tech, and plan unforgettable vacations.
Travel Compass, your digital haven for exploration and enlightenment. Dive into a diverse array of topics including travel, fashion, technology, lifestyle, and beyond. Stay informed with insightful articles, get inspired by our curated content, and embark on a journey of discovery with us.
Princess Travel, where curiosity thrives and knowledge blossoms. Explore a diverse array of topics including travel adventures, fashion trends, technological innovations, and insightful lifestyle advice. Immerse yourself in captivating articles that entertain, inform, and inspire.
Queen Holiday, your premier destination for diverse and enriching content spanning a myriad of topics. Immerse yourself in a world of exploration as we delve into travel adventures, fashion trends, technological innovations, and cultural insights.
Explore the boundless realms of knowledge and inspiration with BLOGMAX. Our platform offers a diverse array of engaging content spanning across various topics, from the latest in fashion and travel trends to insightful tech updates and lifestyle advice.
Enter the world of Aralen Blog, where exploration meets enlightenment. Delve into captivating content across various domains including travel, fashion, technology, and lifestyle. Stay abreast of trends, gain insights, and embark on a journey of discovery with our diverse range of articles.
Explore the diverse world of Queen Blog, where curiosity meets discovery. From captivating travel tales to the latest fashion trends and groundbreaking technology insights, we offer a wealth of knowledge and inspiration.
Dive into the world of Discovery Route, where curiosity meets enlightenment. Explore a diverse array of topics, from fashion trends and travel adventures to tech innovations and lifestyle tips. Immerse yourself in insightful articles that inform and inspire, crafted to enrich your daily life.
Idea Forest invites you to embark on an enriching journey filled with diverse content. Explore captivating articles spanning travel, fashion, technology, and lifestyle. Stay informed with insightful analyses and trend updates.
Canada Blog, your premier destination for insightful content across various domains. From riveting travel escapades to cutting-edge tech updates, and from the latest fashion trends to enriching lifestyle advice, we offer a diverse array of articles to cater to every curiosity.
Ciprobet, heyecan verici oyun seçenekleri ve geniş bir yelpazede sunulan eğlenceli deneyimleriyle dikkat çeken bir platformdur. Yüzlerce farklı temaya ve özelliklere sahip slot makineleri, renkli grafikler ve büyüleyici ses efektleriyle oyun deneyimini zirveye taşır.
Yüksek kaliteli grafikler ve kullanıcı dostu arayüzü ile BahisSenin, oyun tutkunlarının favori adreslerinden biri haline gelmiştir. Birbirinden çeşitli temalara ve özelliklere sahip slot makineleri, kullanıcılarına renkli ve kazançlı bir deneyim sunar.
Trust MediaMind to keep your brand ahead in the digital race.
Make a statement with Falcon Flooring Reno‘s elegant designs.
MaksatBahis, eğlenceli ve kazançlı bir bahis deneyimi sunmak için sizleri bekliyor! Casino bölümünde slot makineleri, blackjack, rulet, poker gibi klasik casino oyunları ile birlikte canlı krupiyeler eşliğinde sunulan canlı casino seçenekleri bulunmaktadır.
ModaBet, kullanıcı memnuniyetini ön planda tutarak güvenilir, eğlenceli ve kazançlı bir oyun ortamı sunar.Kullanıcı dostu arayüzü, mobil erişim kolaylığı ve yüksek oranlarıyla bilinir.