Nautilus International has called on the UK government to adopt cabotage laws to secure national maritime employment and preserve seafaring skills. The union highlighted that many other maritime nations have long-standing cabotage frameworks that reserve domestic sea trade for national-flagged and crewed vessels, while the UK remains an exception.
According to Nautilus, adopting cabotage would ensure that UK coastal shipping benefits the country’s own maritime workforce, rather than relying on low-cost foreign labour. The organisation emphasised that this step is vital to strengthening the maritime industry, protecting domestic seafarer employment, and ensuring long-term sustainability of the national shipping sector.
The call comes amid concerns over declining numbers of British seafarers and reduced training opportunities. Nautilus warned that without a structured policy protecting national maritime jobs, the UK risks losing essential skills and weakening its maritime resilience.
The union noted that the Merchant Navy plays a critical role in the nation’s economic and security interests. Cabotage laws, already common across Europe, the US, and other major maritime economies, are seen as a proven mechanism to balance fair competition with workforce protection.
Nautilus reaffirmed that safeguarding UK seafaring jobs is not only a matter of employment but also of national capability and strategic independence. The organisation continues to advocate for stronger government intervention to ensure that British seafarers remain at the heart of the country’s maritime future.
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Source: Nautilus International
