- A new report by the Nautilus Federation consolidates existing research on the challenges of seafarer recruitment and retention.
- The study identifies key factors influencing the attraction and retention of maritime workers, including job satisfaction, employer commitment, and communication facilities.
- Clear solutions are proposed, urging the industry to act now to address the worsening seafarer shortage.
- The findings are particularly crucial in the context of the Just Transition and the shift to alternative fuels, necessitating extensive training and reskilling for seafarers.
The Nautilus Federation, representing 21 global trade unions in shipping and inland waterways transport, has released a comprehensive report aimed at driving action on the recruitment and retention crisis within the maritime industry.
Key Findings
The research highlights three primary factors influencing recruitment and retention:
- Job satisfaction, career growth opportunities, and favorable working conditions
- Employer respect, involvement, and commitment toward seafarers
- The availability of adequate onboard communication facilities
Proposed Solutions
Based on these findings, the report outlines practical measures to enhance recruitment and retention:
- Improving onboard living conditions
- Addressing workload and stress issues through reduced working hours, increased rest periods, and fostering a culture of mutual respect and work-life balance
- Encouraging greater diversity by supporting women and individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in seafaring
- Implementing structured career advancement pathways and providing opportunities for lifelong learning and skill development
Enhancing collaboration between industry stakeholders, governments, and trade unions to tackle the seafarer shortage on an international scale
Call to Action
“We hope this will be the last report of its kind, as we have spent many years discussing the recruitment and retention crisis. This study shows that we have the answers: the time now is for action,” said Nautilus Federation coordinator Danny McGowan.
He emphasized the need for industry-wide collaboration:
“We want seafarers and the industry to benefit from increased seafarer recruitment and retention. Using this report, we can take steps collaboratively across the industry. With the 21 unions of the Nautilus Federation and other international partners, such as the International Transport Workers’ Federation, hopefully, we’ll be able to make some serious progress.”
The report also underscores the urgency of addressing this issue within the context of the Just Transition and the move toward alternative fuels. As hundreds of thousands of seafarers will require upskilling and reskilling, ensuring a sustainable workforce will be crucial.
“We need to make sure that we can solve this recruitment and retention crisis to help us in the fair shift to green energy, and the time to solve it is now,” McGowan added.
Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?
It’s Free Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Nautilus International
