Recruitment and retention challenges in maritime shipping pose significant risks to both seafarers and global supply chains. The industry is facing a growing shortage of qualified personnel, particularly officers.
These shortages are in reality shortages of decent work, driven by structural issues, including poor working conditions, long periods away from home, fatigue, limited career progression and concerns about safety and wellbeing. The declining attractiveness of maritime careers—particularly among younger workers—further exacerbates the problem.
Recruitment practices themselves can also create human rights risks. Seafarers may face deceptive recruitment, excessive fees, lack of transparency in contracts or dependence on intermediaries, increasing vulnerability to exploitation and forced labour. Retention is further undermined by inadequate wages, limited access to shore leave, poor onboard conditions and weak enforcement of labour standards, particularly on ships operating under Flags of Convenience.
The consequences of these challenges are significant. Labour shortages can lead to understaffing, increased workloads and fatigue among existing crew, amplifying safety risks. At the same time, reliance on less experienced or inadequately trained seafarers can compromise operational safety and increase the likelihood of accidents. Addressing recruitment and retention risks requires improving job quality, strengthening labour protections and ensuring that maritime careers offer safe, fair and sustainable employment aligned with international labour standards.