Strategies to Cope with the Crew Shortage

The global maritime industry continues to face a mounting challenge: a persistent and widening gap between the supply and demand of qualified seafarers. According to recent reports by BIMCO and Drewry, the shortage is expected to intensify in the coming years—impacting not only operations but also safety, regulatory compliance, and sustainability goals.

This session will explore strategic approaches to navigating the crewing crisis, from workforce planning to sourcing talent from emerging maritime nations. Beyond recruitment, we’ll address the increasing need to manage retention more holistically—while also tackling high fluctuation rates that undermine crew consistency and morale.

Participants will also reflect on the image of the maritime profession and how the industry can compete more effectively with other sectors in attracting younger generations. Is the solution to look outward to new countries or inward to change our own practices?

A timely and essential session for ship managers, crewing professionals, and HR leaders determined to build resilient, future-ready crewing strategies.

Key Discussion Points:

• Understanding the Data: Key takeaways from the latest BIMCO and Drewry reports on the global crew supply-demand imbalance
• Emerging Markets: Exploring new seafarer supply countries – opportunities and challenges
• Retention vs. Fluctuation: How to build loyalty and reduce turnover in a highly mobile workforce
• Enhancing Industry Image: Positioning seafaring as an attractive, long-term career path to the next generation
• Futureproofing the Workforce: Reskilling, upskilling, and adapting training to modern crewing needs
• Global Competition for Talent: How shipping can compete with shore-based industries for young professionals
• Employer Branding & Crew Welfare: Beyond salaries – building environments that foster satisfaction and performance

Optimising Crewing Costs While Enhancing Quality

Balancing cost-efficiency with high-quality crewing is one of the industry’s most persistent challenges. This session will dive into the key cost drivers that impact crewing budgets—from recruitment and training to crew changes and compliance—while also shedding light on the often-overlooked “hidden costs” that can erode margins and affect performance.

Our expert panel will discuss practical strategies to contain costs without compromising on competence, safety, or retention. We’ll also explore how to benchmark and establish fair, competitive wage levels in today’s global crew market—ensuring that companies stay attractive to talent while maintaining financial sustainability.

A must-attend discussion for ship owners, managers, and crewing professionals seeking to align financial discipline with operational excellence.

Key Discussion Points:

• Mapping the Real Cost Drivers: From recruitment and training to travel, relief, and compliance
• Hidden Costs: The financial impact of poor retention, rushed crew changes, and non-compliance
• Digital Efficiencies: How technology and automation can streamline processes and reduce administrative overhead
• Retaining Talent Cost-Effectively: Investing wisely in crew welfare, engagement, and career development
• Benchmarking Wages: Establishing fair and competitive compensation in a fluctuating global market
• Quality vs. Quantity: Building smaller, more competent pools vs. large, underutilised ones
• Vendor Management & Outsourcing: Balancing cost with quality when using external crewing agencies
• Striking the Right Balance: Real-world examples of aligning financial discipline with operational excellence