The global shipping industry will need an additional 113,735 STCW-certified officers by 2030 to support the continued growth of the world merchant fleet, according to the newly released Seafarer Workforce Report 2026 by BIMCO and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS). The report highlights increasing concerns over the industry's ability to recruit, train, and retain qualified officers.

The report estimates that around 2.57 million seafarers currently serve aboard 85,148 merchant ships worldwide. Despite the large workforce, the industry is already facing a shortage of approximately 39,100 certified officers in 2026, while maintaining a surplus of about 56,890 ratings. To meet projected demand, the sector will need to recruit an average of 22,747 officers and 8,475 ratings each year through 2030.

Compared with the previous report released in 2021, demand for STCW-certified seafarers has increased by 35 percent. Demand for officers has risen by 23.1 percent, while demand for ratings has grown by 46.3 percent, driven largely by fleet expansion and the continued recovery of global shipping activity.

BIMCO and ICS emphasized that strengthening maritime education, expanding training opportunities, and improving recruitment and retention strategies will be essential to addressing the growing workforce gap. The organizations also noted that seafarers will require new skills as the industry transitions to alternative fuels, digital technologies, and increasingly advanced vessel operations.

The report was released during the observance of the Day of the Seafarer and serves as one of the maritime industry's most comprehensive assessments of the global seafarer workforce. BIMCO and ICS said continued collaboration among governments, maritime administrations, training institutions, and industry stakeholders will be important to ensuring an adequate supply of qualified officers for the years ahead.