Shipping Associations Recruit Young Talent in Berlin

The shipping industry is a sector in transition, making significant efforts to advance new technologies and alternative propulsion techniques. The demand for skilled workers in shipping remains exceptionally high. However, in times of scarce labor resources, it is not always easy to find new personnel.

(Hamburg/Berlin) At a conference organized by the Association of German Shipowners (VDR) and the German Nautical Association (DNV) at Hamburg’s state representation in Berlin, experts discussed the situation in the maritime labor market on June 6, 2024.

The shipping industry is an incredibly attractive sector that draws many young people due to its diverse and unique career opportunities in an international environment. This is underscored by the increase in the number of newcomers to shipping in 2023, which rose by around eleven percent compared to the previous year. Last year, 418 young individuals found their way into shipping at sea (previous year 377) and 214 on land (previous year 192).

However, the need for young talent remains significant: The International Shipping Federation BIMCO (Baltic and International Maritime Council) and the International Chamber of Shipping ICS (International Chamber of Shipping) predicted in 2021 that starting in 2022, 17,902 officers would be needed annually until 2026 to operate the global merchant fleet.

“Companies that do not invest in training and further education will be at a competitive disadvantage in the long run,” said Erik Hirsch, HR manager at Hapag-Lloyd.

For the head of the General Directorate for Waterways and Shipping, attracting young talent and skilled workers in administration is one of the challenges of the coming years: “Digitalization will be a central tool for optimizing work processes. It will help us to deploy our professional expertise effectively and enhance the attractiveness of nautical professions. We also need the support of politics and society,” added Eric Oehlmann.

Currently, around 7,000 people are employed in Germany on the 1,800 ships of the 266 local shipping companies, all of whom are subject to social security contributions. On land, estimates suggest that there are over 21,000 people, three times as many. Thus, the German shipping industry currently directly creates nearly 30,000 jobs. Estimates indicate that up to 400,000 jobs are directly and indirectly dependent on the maritime economy, as shipping is intertwined with a whole network of industries. Because: Energy, raw materials, electronics, clothing, food, and much more are primarily transported by sea.

“To inspire as many young people as possible for shipping, we must continue to invest in modern training programs and promote the attractive career prospects on board and later on land,” said Holger Jäde, training officer at the Association of German Shipowners. “Qualified young talent is one of the keys to a strong and competitive maritime location,” Jäde concluded.

Diverse Training and Employment Opportunities

German seafaring offers a wide range of training and employment opportunities in various fields. In addition to the obvious positions on board ships such as captains, nautical and technical officers, and ship mechanics, there are numerous jobs on land. These include positions in maritime administrations, information technology, logistics, as well as roles in human resources, legal or insurance sectors, research and development, or marketing.

Photo: © Loginfo24