In its latest report highlighting key issues in the maritime, ICS focused among others on major points on global supply and demand for seafarers, revealing a current global shortage of about 16,500 officers (2.1%), but a surplus of about 119,000 ratings (15.8%).
In particular, at the IMO MSC in May 2016, ICS and BIMCO launched the results of their latest five year Manpower Report on the global supply and demand for seafarers, revealing a considerable increase in the worldwide supply of officers since 2010, with the supply of ratings increasing too.
As explained, the global demand for seafarers in 2015 is estimated at 1,545,000, with the industry estimated to need approximately 790,500 officers and 754,500 ratings. As a result of the substantial growth in the number of ships in the world fleet since 2010, the estimated demand for officers has increased significantly, although the demand for ratings has increased by only 1%. The figures therefore suggest a current global shortage of about 16,500 officers (2.1%) but a surplus of about 119,000 ratings (15.8%)… (Read More) Source: Safety4sea