The fifth annual survey by Danica Crewing Specialists reveals that the persistent shortage of competent seafarers is leading to increasing benefits for those working in the industry. While the shortage results in wage increases and allows seafarers to be more selective in their job choices, concerns about welfare issues persist. The CEO of Danica Crewing Specialists, Henrik Jensen, notes that the combination of a general shortage of skilled seafarers and improved financial conditions for vessel owners is driving up wages, with a 10 percent increase observed from 2023 to 2024 across all vessel types.
The survey highlights disparities in wages among different ranks and nationalities, with Indian senior officers on dry cargo vessels earning the highest wages. Filipino junior officers, on the other hand, receive lower pay compared to their Eastern European and Indian counterparts. Despite the rise in wages, some owners are responding to the shortage of senior officers by promoting individuals to higher ranks, while there is also a concerning increase in fake experience being listed on resumes to secure job opportunities.
The survey, conducted between May and September 2024 with nearly 4,900 seafarers, also reveals a rise in crew welfare concerns. Issues such as a shortage of food and drinking water, delayed payments, bullying and harassment, non-compliance with rest hour rules, and mental health challenges continue to impact seafarers. While access to mental health support services has increased, there is a decrease in the perceived usefulness of these services among seafarers. Jensen emphasizes the importance of the five years’ worth of data as a valuable resource for understanding trends and developments in the crew marketplace.
