At a time when shore-based equipment suppliers are only too eager to promote new technology as the all-embracing answer to any question concerning operations, owners are keenly aware that the seafarers ultimately responsible are a changing breed. Only 25% of the senior officers from OECD countries are over 50 years of age, while very few of Asian origination remain stay at sea beyond this age. BIMCO analysis of manpower trends concluded that, in 2010, the demand for officers (637,000) had outstripped total supply (625,000). The shortfall is known to have increased in the years following, with the tanker and offshore supply sectors affected in particular. Roger Ringstad, Managing Director at training specialist Seagull AS, says that while focus often falls on general unwillingness among the young people of today to commit to a life at sea, developing the qualities of leadership among those who do has emerged as a separate industry concern.
展开▼
