Feature
Global shortage of
seafarers threatens
world trade
earnings
The global shortage of shipping crew and officers has
reached serious proportions, threatening the future of an
industry that remains the lifeblood of world trade.
A
ccording to the latest data from the
International Maritime Organisation
(IMO), there was a supply requirement
of 498,000 seafarers in 2008, with an
officer shortfall of 34,000 that increased
to 83,900 in 2012.
Safe navigation
Ports and harbours employ mariners to ensure the
safe navigation of ships.
Their job is physically demanding, with marine
pilots, for instance, required to board moving vessels
from small, high-powered launches, often in rough
seas. They also have to deal with high-risk cargo, poor
manoeuvrability and communication difficulties.
To protect the future of world trade, IMO launched
the “Go to Sea’’ campaign in partnership with the
International Labour Organisation (ILO) and shipping
firms.
The campaign is aimed at promoting seafaring as
an attractive option for young people that can provide
rewarding and long-term prospects, not only at sea, but
also in the broader maritime industry.
IMO has also established an umbrella initiative
under which governments can mount their own
campaigns to improve seafarer recruitment.
Andrew Mwangura, a Mombasa-based independent
maritime researcher, told Business Beat that the
worldwide supply of seafarers in 2010 was 624,000
officers against a demand of 637,000.
“To address this gap, we need to ensure there are
incentives given to shipping companies,’’ he said.
Mr Mwangura said in countries with a developed
maritime industry, there are advanced incentive
16
systems to boost employment numbers, including tax
considerations, access to ship financing or credit and
legal instruments that make it mandatory to have a
certain percentage of crew and cadets from a specific
country on board a ship.
The veteran seafarer added that harnessing publicprivate partnerships in the sector, as is being done by
some African nations, most notably Egypt and Nigeria,
would revive the maritime industry in Kenya.
“We cannot negotiate our way onto the list of credible
maritime labour supply nations without producing a
sizeable pool of quality, global-standard seafarers.”
To bridge the gaps in the local industry, maritime
stakeholders have begun training programmes, with
Elizabeth Wakesho, 25, being the latest beneficiary.
The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) employee is
set to enter the history books as Kenya’s first female
marine pilot after she successfully completed a fiveyear training programme in Alexandria, Egypt. This
included a bachelor of science degree in nautical studies.
“The course involved leadership training, basic
drills, physical education and terrestrial navigation,
as well as marine engineering, marine safety and ship
construction,’’ she said.
She trained at the Arab Academy for Science and
Technology and Marine Transport, which is along the
Mediterranean coast.
“I am determined to be one of the best mariners
around. I love seafaring and have never looked back
since I was enlisted as a marine pilot cadet,’’
Ms Wakesho is on course to berth and unberth the
500 vessels required to be licensed as a marine pilot.
Source: Standard Digital