Shipping Industry Struggles To Recruit Skilled Seafarers Despite Pay Hikes

Seafarer retention rates have improved over the past year, with nearly 90% of shipping companies raising crew salaries in 2024, according to the latest Crew Managers’ Survey by Danica Crewing Specialists.

The survey revealed that companies were more generous with wage hikes than in 2023, except for junior ratings. Despite better retention, concerns remain over a shortage of competent seafarers, as reported by industry experts.

While fewer companies found recruitment worsening in 2024 compared to the previous year, nearly one-third (31%) still reported difficulties in hiring skilled crew members.

The survey, which gathered responses from in-house crew managers at shipowning and ship management companies, found that:

75% of senior officers received salary increases in 2024, up from 63% in 2023.

67% of junior officers saw wage hikes, compared to 59% in the previous ye…

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