Shipping faces critical shortage of experienced personnel

Singapore: A shortage of both experience onshore personnel and seafarers remains a critical issue for the shipping industry. "We have a critical problem growing in the industry and that is the lack of experienced [commercial] personnel," Keith Denholm told a Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers forum in Singapore. He noted that it was only in the last five years had shipping become attractive as a career. "Back in the 80's young people weren't thinking about shipping," he said. As a result the industry is lacking in senior, experienced shore based personnel. Speakers at the forum also warned of the growing shortage of qualified senior seafarers, which remains a serious issue despite the laying up of vessels and cancellations of newbuildings. [10/02/10]