Short Overview
The 'Seafarer Workforce Report' is the industry standard resource for those seeking the market intelligence needed to develop crewing and training strategies fit for the future. The 2026 report has been developed through extensive industry consultation, expert analysis and structured discussion across the global maritime sector.
Detailed Overview
Prepared by BIMCO and ICS, this comprehensive report details the global seafarer workforce supply and demand situation. With contributions from national maritime administrations, shipping companies, maritime education and training institutions and industry experts, this report is considered to be an essential tool for those tasked with developing crewing and training strategies.
The 2026 edition contains:
- Detailed estimates of the current supply and demand for seafarers for the world fleet, including country-specific figures
- details of the demographic composition of the supply of seafarers
- forward projections for the likely supply and demand situations over the next five years
- identification of various maritime training, recruitment and retention trends and their potential consequences.
Contents Listing
1. Introduction
2. Methodology
3. Current Supply of the Global Seafarer Workforce
4. Current Demand for the Global Seafarer Workforce
5. Future Supply and Demand for Seafarers
Appendices
Appendix A - Estimated Global Supply of Seafarers in 2021
Appendix B - Estimated Average Operational Crewing Levels by Ship Type and Tonnage
Appendix C - Maritime Education and Training (MET) Institutions Questionnaire
Appendix D - Methodology and Data Limitations
Appendix E - List of Respondents
Additional Information