The Hindu Business Line : Shortage of seafarers takes wind off maritime activities

Challenges
Industry could face shortfall of 46,000 seafarers by 2012.
Needs over $3 b in next 5 years to replace ageing fleet.
Call for more institutes to increase qualified seafarers.

Kochi April 4 The image of the maritime profession should be improved to attract young people to seafaring jobs due to the declining numbers opting for this career, according to Mr Ajoy Chatterjee, Chief Surveyor with the Government of India cum Additional Director General of Shipping, Mumbai.

Several studies indicate that there is currently a world-wide shortage of officers, corresponding to 4 per cent of the total workshop (16,000) officers and the prediction is that by 2012, the shortfall will rise to 46,000 officers, he said.

The shortfall of seafarers negatively impacts the shipping industry as a whole whereas both the on board and on shore maritime related work posts face manning problems that may directly threaten the existence of the shipping activity and the sustenance of maritime know-how, he added.

Mr Chatterjee was speaking at the session on `Indian Maritime Transport Services — Global Opportunities and Challenges' organised as part of the National Maritime Day Celebrations Committee, Kochi, on Wednesday.

Developing momentum

Mr Chatterjee pointed out that improving the image of a maritime career and attracting young people to the seafaring profession is of utmost importance today to sustain the growth in international shipping activities. Recruiters should try to re-establish the status of the profession, improve its popularity and develop momentum. There is also need to introduce continuous and consistent advertisement campaigns, he said.

Referring to the Indian shipping industry, he said it is going to face a major challenge as over 56 per cent of its fleet would be scrapped in the next five years.

Over 37 per cent of the fleet is 20 years old, while 19 per cent is between 15 to 19 years old. It is estimated that at the current vessel prices, the industry needs over $3 billion in the next five years to replace its ageing fleet, he said.

JV option

He also suggested forming joint ventures with leading international shipping companies by Indian companies for controlled tonnage. In this way, the ageing fleet can be renewed while a company can continue to sail ahead and retain their market share by consortiums and by pooling resources. Mr Umesh C. Grover, Director, Shipping Corporation of India, said that seafaring is no more the preferred profession for youngsters in developed nations and these countries have to depend on seafaring supplier nations like India to man their fleet.

The immediate challenge before the Indian maritime community is therefore to improve the supply of qualified seafarers by setting up institutes as well as increasing the capacity of existing ones, he said.

With a high number of vessels on order, there is a big demand for additional manpower for the international fleet, he added.

More Stories on : Human Resources | Shipping

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
New platform at Howrah station

Aviation demands cost containment

Air Deccan plans flying 12 m passengers next fiscal

Tax relief for tour operators

Shortage of seafarers takes wind off maritime activities

Suryakiran team to perform in Mangalore

East Coast Rly freight traffic up 7.4%

More senior Jet Air officials resign