MARITIME LABOUR: THE UNFORESEEN FACTOR

Shipping has solved many of its financial and technical problems, but has neglected the manpower aspect. This paper examines the manpower crisis that has resulted. Some of the points stressed are that in addition to a shortage of traditional, western skilled maritime manpower, problems are looming in the availability of Asian and other sources of manning; that shipowners and managers have perhaps been too quick to reduce crew costs at the expense of maintaining a pool of skilled, trained labor; that unqualified ship personnel pose increased dangers to the safe operation of ships and that not enough is being done that could be effective on a global scale to combat human error as a causal factor in accidents; that the manpower situation will escalate operating costs; that the danger of unlimited liability may put some shipping operators out of business; and that stricter laws and company regulations concerning drugs and alcohol on board leave the shipping industry with new burdens to come. Some recommendations are offered on how to overcome the manpower crisis.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Conference paper
• Authors:
  • Ramforth, H
• Conference:
  • Tanker '90
  • Location: London, England
  • Date: 1990-3-5 to 1990-3-6
• Publication Date: 0

Media Info

• Pagination: 11p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Maritime industry; Shipping
• Old TRIS Terms: Manpower availability; Maritime labor
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00661739
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Maritime Technical Information Facility
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 21 1994 12:00AM