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The Baltic International Maritime Consultative Organisation (BIMCO) will be
hosting a general presentation and luncheon talk in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
on 27 February 2006 in a bid to boost its membership fold in Asia that is
seen as growing maritime power.
BIMCO has its membership spread to 123 countries and includes more than
2,550 companies.
Owner members alone control 65 per cent of the world merchant fleet, while
1,500 brokers and agents and 100 club and associate members complete BIMCO’s
international coverage.
It is on behalf of these members that BIMCO carries out its tasks - ranging
from involvement in international debates on issues affecting the industry
to providing assistance in recovering unpaid balances.
In its 2005 manpower update Bimco confirmed that the centre of gravity of
the labour market for seafarers has continued to shift from the traditional
maritime countries of Western Europe, Japan and North America towards the
Far East, Indian sub-continent and Eastern Europe. China has seen a
significant increase in experience English language difficulties.
The report also says the overall demand for both officers and ratings has
increased, partly due to new larger ships. New buildings have increased in
number and scrapping has reduced.
In general, there is little scope for further manning reductions, since
international requirements, such as work hour regulations and the ISPS Code,
together with commercial demands, have increased the workload on board.
Therefore, even a modest future increase in ship numbers will result in
additional demand for seafarers, which can only be met by increased
recruitment and training.
Severe shortages in some ranks and for certain specialist ships must be
addressed in training plans.
The Bimco findings also say the world fleet continues to rely heavily on
officers from Europe, North America, Japan and other 40. Most are in senior
positions such as Masters or Chief Engineers.
The impact of their retirement, without adequate numbers of well trained and
experienced replacements, could be severe.
The data suggest that, unlike OECD countries, relatively few officers from
the Far East or the Indian sub-continent choose to remain at sea over age
50.
This explains why these nationalities remain under-represented in senior
positions, though this may not be the only reason says the 2005 Report.
It is possible that this trend might be expected in newer labour supply
countries and that age profiles will mirror the OECD pattern over time but
age profiles established over the last 10 years suggest this pattern has
remained consistent.
If substantial numbers continue to retire by the age of 50, this may
challenge the assumption that Asian officers will replace retiring OECD
senior officers. |
