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Revisiting the seafarer shortage problem: the case of Singapore

Author

Listed:
  • Vinh V. Thai
  • Linkesh Balasubramanyam
  • Karen Kai Lin Yeoh
  • Sofian Norsofiana

Abstract

Earlier in the Baltic International Maritime Council (BIMCO)/International Shipping Federation (ISF) 2005 report, the issue of seafaring shortage had already been identified as a global issue. The most recent BIMCO/ISF 2010 report still highlights that crewing would be likely a future challenge as continuing tight labour market would lead to recurrent shortages for some officers. In this paper, we aim to explore how the shipping industry and its associated seafaring career can be marketed more effectively to enhance its image and attract and increase the supply of suitably qualified seafarers. Several interviews were conducted with regulatory bodies and ship management companies, followed by a survey with students of nautical studies at Singapore Maritime Academy. It is found that those tangible and intangible benefits attached to an Employer of Choice (EOC) such as salary, bonus, good welfare aboard ships and corporate social responsibility are critical to retain seafarers, while efforts to attract students to the seafaring career right from the secondary level should focus on the employment brand that provides a challenging and unique career, stable income and guaranteed employment. This study suggests that employers with a successful EOC strategy will likely develop a strong employment brand that will increase the levels of recruitment and retention. It is also recommended that the tripartism between maritime governing bodies, training institutions and shipping and ship management companies will be essential to the effective attraction and retention of quality seafarer for the maritime industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Vinh V. Thai & Linkesh Balasubramanyam & Karen Kai Lin Yeoh & Sofian Norsofiana, 2013. "Revisiting the seafarer shortage problem: the case of Singapore," Maritime Policy & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(1), pages 80-94, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:marpmg:v:40:y:2013:i:1:p:80-94
    DOI: 10.1080/03088839.2012.744480
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuen, Kum Fai & Loh, Hui Shan & Zhou, Qingji & Wong, Yiik Diew, 2018. "Determinants of job satisfaction and performance of seafarers," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 1-12.
    2. Yuen, Kum Fai & Thai, Vinh V. & Wong, Yiik Diew, 2017. "Corporate social responsibility and classical competitive strategies of maritime transport firms: A contingency-fit perspective," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 1-13.
    3. Marie-Noëlle Albert & Nadia Lazzari Dodeler & Emmanuel Guy, 2016. "From a Seafarer’s Career Management to the Management of Interwoven Sea- and Shore-Based Careers," SAGE Open, , vol. 6(1), pages 21582440166, February.
    4. Kum Fai Yuen & Vinh V. Thai, 2017. "Corporate social responsibility and service quality provision in shipping firms: financial synergies or trade-offs?," Maritime Policy & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(1), pages 131-146, January.
    5. Yuen, Kum Fai & Li, Kevin X. & Xu, Gangyan & Wang, Xueqin & Wong, Yiik Diew, 2019. "A taxonomy of resources for sustainable shipping management: Their interrelationships and effects on business performance," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 316-332.
    6. Lu, Chin-Shan & Weng, Hsiang-Kai & Huang, Fei & Leung, Lai-Han & Wang, Wen-Di, 2018. "Assessing the seafaring intention of maritime students in Hong Kong," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 258-273.
    7. Michael Stein & Michele Acciaro, 2020. "Value Creation through Corporate Sustainability in the Port Sector: A Structured Literature Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-17, July.
    8. Wang, Xueqin & Wong, Yiik Diew & Li, Kevin X. & Yuen, Kum Fai, 2021. "Shipping industry's sustainability communications to public in social media: A longitudinal analysis," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 123-134.
    9. Yuen, Kum Fai & Wang, Xueqin & Wong, Yiik Diew & Ma, Fei, 2019. "A contingency view of the effects of sustainable shipping exploitation and exploration on business performance," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 90-103.
    10. J. Sánchez-Beaskoetxea & C. Coca García, 2015. "Media image of seafarers in the Spanish printed press," Maritime Policy & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 42(2), pages 97-110, February.
    11. Alexandros M. Goulielmos & Agisilaos Anastasakos & Androniki Gatzoli, 2014. "The Effect of Maritime Security Regime (ISPS Code) on World Supply of Seafarers," SPOUDAI Journal of Economics and Business, SPOUDAI Journal of Economics and Business, University of Piraeus, vol. 64(1), pages 63-77, January-M.

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