According to the “2026 Seafarer Workforce Report” published by the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), an additional 113,735 STCW (International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) certified ship officers will be needed by 2030 to meet the growing demand of the world merchant fleet.
According to sea-news.az according to the report, a total of 2.57 million seafarers currently work on 85,148 merchant ships worldwide. Furthermore, a shortage of 39,100 STCW-certified officers is projected for 2026, while a surplus of 56,890 rating personnel is expected.
According to expert calculations, an additional 22,747 officers and 8,475 ratings must be recruited into the maritime sector annually until 2030.
David Loosley, Secretary General and CEO of BIMCO, stated that for the future sustainable development of the shipping industry, recruiting, training, and retaining seafarers is a key priority.
Thomas A. Kazakos, Secretary General of the ICS, emphasized that seafarers are the backbone of global trade, and increasing investment in their professional training and skills development is vital during the transition to alternative fuels and new technologies.
The authors of the report believe that to prevent a shortage of officers, it is essential to more actively promote maritime education and seafaring professions, as well as to regularly monitor the retention and recruitment rates of seafarers.
