OSM Chair Addresses Manpower Crisis
Mr Eskilt told delegates that wages have already spiraled as owners struggle to recruit and retain seafarers and called this an earnings explosion that is set to continue.
Mr Eskilt said that Drewry Shipping Consultants, in conjunction with Precious Associates Ltd (PAL), has produced its Manning 2008 annual report in which it sounds various warnings including the risk of employees being promoted to jobs for which they are not competent. The report says that already this year, the officer shortage may be as high as 34,000, a figure that could almost triple in the coming four years.
In the period 2008 to 2012, an extra 26,160 officers will be required for the dry-bulk fleet, 15,793 for containerships, 9,735 for chemical tankers and 8,088 for oil tankers.
During his presentation, Mr Eskilt pointed to a number of factors that are exacerbating the problem. With particular reference to trainees, he said the officer shortage is a commonly accepted problem, but little is done and that ships are often built without cabins for cadets and trainees.
He said the requirements of the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) for combined experience slows down promotion potential and the requirements of the officer matrix and combined experience is already a part of the offshore sector and not just tankers.
