The global shipping industry could face a significant shortage of qualified officers by the end of the decade, according to the latest Seafarer Workforce Report 2026 released by the BIMCO and the International Chamber of Shipping.
The report forecasts that an additional 113,735 STCW-certified officers will be required by 2030 to meet the growing demands of the world merchant fleet. Currently, around 2.57 million seafarers operate 85,148 merchant vessels globally.
For 2026, the study estimates a shortage of 39,100 certified officers, while identifying a surplus of 56,890 ratings. To bridge the gap, the industry will need to recruit approximately 22,747 officers and 8,475 ratings annually through 2030, representing yearly workforce growth of 2.0% and 0.5%, respectively.
The report highlights a sharp rise in demand since 2021, with overall requirements for STCW-certified seafarers increasing by 35%. Demand for officers has grown by 23.1%, while demand for ratings has surged by 46.3%, driven by fleet expansion and the post-pandemic recovery of global trade.
BIMCO Secretary General and CEO David Loosley emphasized the importance of strengthening recruitment, training, and retention efforts to ensure the industry remains prepared for future workforce needs.
ICS Secretary General Thomas A. Kazakos noted that seafarers remain the backbone of global trade and stressed the need to attract younger talent while equipping existing crews with the skills required for the transition to new fuels and emerging maritime technologies.
The report concludes that sustained investment in maritime education, career promotion, and workforce monitoring will be critical to addressing the growing officer shortage and supporting the future resilience of global shipping.