The increasing submission of fraudulent CVs by seafarers for roles in the tanker sector is a major concern driven by the escalating demand for experienced crew and higher wages in that segment, according to Danica Crewing Specialists.
Prevalence of False Applications
Internal screening processes at Danica Crewing Specialists have revealed that between 5% and 10% of job applications for tanker vessels contain false information. The fraudulent details typically involve:
- Exaggerated sea service.
- Incorrect vessel types listed as experience.
- Forged or altered certificates and counterfeit documentation.
Drivers of the Fraudulent Trend
The primary cause for the rise in falsified applications is the financial incentive offered by the tanker market.
- Premium Tanker Wages: The tanker sector is paying a premium for qualified officers, with tanker wages continuing to outpace those of other vessel segments.
- Growing Competition: The CEO of Danica Crewing Specialists, Henrik Jensen, explained that the trend reflects the growing competition for experienced officers in the high-paying tanker market. This tempts some applicants to falsify their records to appear suitable for the lucrative roles.
Safety and Compliance Risks
The employment of unqualified crew members on tankers poses serious risks to both the environment and the shipowner’s reputation.
- Vessel Safety and Environment: The use of counterfeit documentation and exaggeration of experience—such as presenting experience on other vessel types as dedicated tanker experience—poses “real risks to vessel safety, the environment, and the reputation of shipowners.”
- Operational Incidents: The tanker market operates under strict safety and compliance regimes, and a lapse in crew competence can lead to operational incidents or failed vetting inspections. Jensen stressed that the cost of hiring the wrong person significantly outweighs the effort of proper screening.
Call to Action for the Industry
Danica Crewing Specialists is urging the maritime industry to take decisive action to address the problem.
- Criminal Treatment: Jensen stated that submitting false information or documentation is a criminal act and should be “treated as such.”
- Stronger Cross-Checking: He called for the industry to implement “stronger cross-checking systems” to identify offenders and protect professional integrity.
- Industry Collaboration: There is a need for closer collaboration between authorities, training centres, and manning agencies.
- Vetting Partnerships: Shipowners were urged to partner only with reputable crewing agencies that perform thorough vetting of all applicants.
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Source: Safety4sea
