MORE than half of the shipping industry would not encourage their children to consider the seafarer profession as a career choice, according to a conference vote. The survey comes amid warnings of a looming seafarer shortage. 

A straw audience poll during a panel at Crew Connect 2023 in Manila showed that about 58% of conference participants would not recommend a career at sea to their children.

“This is quite a majority vote and it’s not surprising,” said OSM Thome chief commercial officer and president Tommy Olofsen.

German Shipowners Association (VDR) chief executive Martin Kroger said it proves that the shipping profession has work to do in promoting how you can build a career in the industry, and one too that is fulfilling.

“We just have to find ways and means to display what shipping and working on a ship is all about,” he said.

“(After) spending a certain amount of time of your life at sea, maybe this will develop or lead into a management position in shipbuilding or ship operator, which is still attractive,” he concluded. 

PTC Group chief executive Gerardo Barromeo, who also featured on the panel, said that shipping must also help in elevating the dignity of seafarers and change the mindset of a career at sea to becoming a “prestigious” job once more.

Olofsen also said that it resonates with him how certain ranks are referred to as either “ordinary” or “able-bodied” seafarers. This labelling must stop, he stressed.

Online connectivity was also raised as a must if the industry is to continue to attract talent.

“We need internet, we need good amenities, people need to enjoy the life at sea,” said Capt John Hafner, Marshall Islands Registry, Baltimore, vice-president of seafarer manning and training.

He said those aged 30 and below were “literally born connected to the internet” and it was not viable to deprive them of online access if away from family for up to eight months at a time.

“The seafarers’ right to connectivity is going to be regulated soon... and it’s going to be required,” added Hafner.