The Faststream Maritime Employment Review which is published in the midst of a global economic crisis, free falling freight rates and a general feeling of doom and gloom. But if you are someone with good experience in the shipping industry, then your skills still continue to be very much in demand.

Despite the deteriorating economic situation, crewing offices in the UK, USA, Norway and Singapore are
experiencing a continued call for commercial shipping people and our shipowning, broking and ommodity
trading clients are telling us that they expect to continuehiring people in the New Year. Driving this is the huge growth of the global merchant fleet which continues to expand at a relentless pace and needs a wide range of skilled professionals to service it.

Recruitment, whether on the commercial or technical side, continues to be a headache for employers and many are struggling to fill crucial positions. Indeed, a recent Faststream survey of members of the Society of International Gas Tankers and Terminal Operators (SIGTTO) revealed that nearly 60% of them thought that recruitment was the number one issue facing their industry. The ongoing uncertainty driven by the credit crunch has led to candidates being much less willing to take a chance and relocate to a new company. The promise of large bonuses is failing to attract candidates, with base salary a far more important factor. Vacancies continue to be at very high levels.

download and read the report (.pdf file)

source: Faststream