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Citizens' corner
Maritime careers
Jobs ahoy from ship to shore
Europe is the world's leading shipping power representing approximately 40% of the world controlled fleet and 23.7% of the world tonnage plus a vast associated maritime cluster ashore. Europe's maritime industry is flourishing and prosperous. Paradoxically, the industry suffers from a growing shortage of European seafarers.
In 2002, estimates suggested that Europe’s merchant ships needed another 30 000 officers. In fact, at that time, the entire fleet was about 30% short of officers, while currently severe shortages appear to affect numerous Member States.
So, there is no lack of prospects. For those who love the sea, a maritime career as a merchant marine officer offers multiple opportunities on board ships, as well as within the land based associated maritime industries.
Maritime education and training and labour standards
Considering the importance of seafarers for ensuring both safety of navigation and the protection of the environment, maritime education and training are taken very seriously by the merchant-shipping sector and the international community. Maritime studies are therefore conducted according to minimum international requirements laid down by what is known as the STCW Convention, adopted by the International Maritime Organisation in London. All these standards are transposed into EU legislation and applied throughout the Union.
To ensure decent living and working conditions for seafarers, the EU vigorously supports and contributes actively to the work of the International Labour Organisation in Geneva, in particular in regard to the Maritime Labour Convention of 2006. This Convention will be implemented into EU law and enforced in due course throughout the Union. Living and working conditions are critical for the well-being of seafarers and for raising the attractiveness of the seafaring professions.
An all-embracing maritime career
Maritime careers are not restricted to service at sea. There are plenty of post-sea career options available for ex-seafarers in the associated industries ashore, such as:
Port authorities, shipping companies, insurance firms and legal and financial businesses related to merchant shipping are on the look-out for personnel with sea experience.
Meanwhile, numerous maritime education and training institutes across Europe offer courses, which prepare people for technical and managerial careers in the maritime sector.
To improve recruitment of European seafarers, the EU runs an awareness campaign to attract people to the sector, comprising dedicated web pages and a video.
