Columbia Group is urging immediate reforms in maritime education to combat a critical shortage of qualified seafarers, which threatens the future of Greece’s shipping industry. Despite Greece controlling over 20% of the global deadweight tonnage, fewer young people are pursuing maritime careers, jeopardizing both ship operations and shore-based roles that rely on experienced seafarers.
Gregory Spourdalakis, Managing Director of Columbia Shipmanagement Greece, highlights that the decline in graduates from maritime academies is exacerbated by outdated training methods and a lack of incentives for career progression. Many academies still use obsolete equipment and fail to update curriculums to align with modern shipping demands, such as decarbonization and automation. Furthermore, maritime qualifications often do not hold the same prestige as traditional university degrees, deterring potential candidates.
To address these issues, Columbia Group is calling for coordinated action across the industry, including upgrading educational facilities, aligning curriculums with current industry needs, and promoting maritime careers in schools. Engaging with students through events and offering graduate trainee programs are steps being taken to bridge the gap between education and employment. Spourdalakis emphasizes that investing in future talent is essential for sustaining the shipping sector’s role in the economy.
