Maritime
Announcing CrewConnect Global , the World ’ s Largest and Most Influential Event for the Marine HR Community
W
hatever the industry , the challenges for HR professionals remain the same : how to attract the best talent , how to provide training which adds genuine value , and how to ensure high levels of staff retention . Judging by two recent predictions , one from the BIMCO / ICS Manpower report predicting a deficit of 147,500 officers by 2025 , the other by the Ocean Policy Research Foundation predicting a shortfall of 364,000 seafarers by 2050 , the maritime industry needs to improve its performance on each of these measures if a manpower crisis is to be averted . At CrewConnect Global this November , the marine HR community ’ s leading experts will assess the current state of the industry and its readiness to meet the demands of the future .
Some may feel that such predictions of a manpower crisis are a long way from becoming reality . For one , far from suffering a shortage of crew supply , the maritime industry is currently experiencing a surplus . It is also true that discussions of the maritime industry ’ s future very often focus on automation , and the role it will potentially play in reducing crew numbers . But the practicability of autonomous vessels is still very much subject to debate , as is the timeframe over which we should expect to see their introduction industry wide . One thing only is absolutely certain : that the demand for container transportation is set to increase , and with it – at least in the short term – the demand for crew members .
Fortunately , there are reasons to be optimistic about the crewing industry ’ s ability to meet this rising demand . Recent decades have seen a shift in crew supply away from the traditional maritime nations of Europe , Japan and North America , and towards emerging economies like China , the Philippines and Indonesia .
What makes these countries such promising prospects is not only their large populations and growing commercial clout , but the room for improvement that exists in the way that their human resources are currently being utilised . Multiculturally and multilingually crewed vessels are now the status quo , but poor communication aboard these ships mean that crew retention is often lower than optimal . Increased cultural awareness on the part of shipowners , recruiters and operators will have the effect of boosting retention from the emerging maritime nations , and also of making the maritime industry a more attractive sell for recruiters . Another promising opportunity for crewing professionals comes in the form of improving internet connectivity for vessels at sea . Extended periods of separation from friends and loved ones has long been a source of dissatisfaction for seafarers , and has combined with long hours and irregular sleeping patterns to make poor mental health a genuine concern for crew safety and retention . At present only 6 % of seafarers have sufficiently fast internet connections to make video calls home to their families , but this figure is rising . With continued investment in their digital infrastructure , shipping companies may see one of the main barriers to an effective crewing strategy lifted . However , this investment will have to be matched by enhancements in cyber security if fears of greater vulnerability to online threats are to be assuaged .
Taking place in Manila this November , CrewConnect Global brings together over six hundred international crewing professionals and eighty expert speakers to discuss these issues and many others . Expect detailed case studies , engaging industry response panels , inspiring keynote addresses and more , on topics including the impact of digital disruption , managing crew claims , crew retention & advancement , cyber security and safety at sea . This year ’ s event also includes the CruiseConnect Summit , a one day event devoted to the challenges of crewing in the cruise sector . Speakers for CrewConnect Global include : * John Adams , Managing Director of Teekay Shipping and
Chairman of the Bahamas Shipowners ’ Association * Iris Baguilat , President of Döhle Seafront Crewing , Inc * Alex Verchez , President and Managing Director of Teekay
Shipping Phillipines * Kate Adamson , CEO of Futurenautics * John Gahnstrom , Senior Marine Manager at INTERTANKO * Gerado Borromeo , Vice President of the Phillipines Shipowners
Association Join us in Manila this November to see what they have to say .
You can find out more here : https :// goo . gl / bhAKf9
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