Labor Shortages and Climate Change: Urgent Solutions Needed in the Maritime Industry
The maritime industry is currently facing two pressing challenges: labor shortages and climate change. These issues require immediate attention and urgent solutions to ensure the industry’s sustainability and progress. The rapid flow of information in today’s world has enabled us to solve many problems more quickly. However, government regulation and bureaucracy have not kept pace with this speed, allowing certain problems to be ignored instead of making long-term decisions.
Labor shortages in the maritime industry have been a prominent issue for years. It is increasingly challenging to find crew members for both US flag commercial vessels and foreign registered ships. Moreover, the labor shortage extends beyond crew labor to impact shipyard production, service and repair companies, and shoreside office staff. If these shortages persist, it will hinder the industry’s growth and functioning.
Climate change is another critical concern we have been grappling with for the past three decades. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has been slow in implementing emission and carbon reduction standards, which might take another 30 years to achieve by 2050. Simultaneously, the issue of labor shortages, including seafarers, has been discussed for over a decade. To overcome these challenges, it is crucial to mobilize the younger generation and leverage their skills and fresh perspectives to reform traditional practices.
The influence of different generations, such as Gen X, Y, and Z, has raised important discussions on diversity, inclusion, workplace practices, and the cost of higher education. In particular, the journey from high school to successful careers for low-income Black, Latino, and other marginalized students often faces significant hurdles. To foster growth in the maritime industry, it is necessary to start addressing these challenges at the high school level. There are abundant career opportunities in the maritime sector that require specific training and certifications but not necessarily a university degree.
Historically, the shipping industry has turned to underdeveloped and third world nations to provide deckhands, oilers, welders, and other unlicensed positions. Many individuals rose through the ranks without higher education to attain officer status and management positions. However, the science and technological changes related to energy, emissions, and climate change demand a new level of training, certifications, and skills maintenance for these roles. The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) estimates a shortage of 90,000 seafarers globally, while the current US administration expects to create tens of thousands of new jobs in the offshore wind sector alone. It is crucial to find ways to fill these positions and bridge the gap in the labor market.
Education in the United States is also undergoing transformation, with increased focus on pathways that align with students’ needs and interests. In New England, high schools have recognized the value of developing marine pathways that prepare students for careers in the maritime industry. Alternative Marine Technologies (Amtech), for instance, has partnered with the Brian McMahon High School Marine Science Academy in Norwalk, Connecticut, to explore marine pathways as a potential solution. By connecting science, aquaculture, mechanics, and other fields, this program offers students a hands-on experience in marine science and opens doors to local career opportunities.
The maritime industry needs to extend its support to high school programs like the Marine Science Academy, reaching beyond local opportunities and providing sponsorship and guidance. Internships and apprenticeships can also play a crucial role in exposing students to various technologies, college opportunities, and career paths. By expanding these programs, we can inspire and prepare the next generation for careers in commercial shipping at sea, reinforcing existing maritime academies and offering pathways that don’t necessarily require higher education.
Recent accomplishments by students at Brian McMahon High School, such as launching a solar-powered drifter hull to track a voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, highlight their understanding of climate change and their desire to effect change sooner rather than later. These young individuals completed a successful autonomous voyage, meeting the International Maritime Organization’s zero emissions goals along the way. They are motivated and ready to make a difference in their world.
With four maritime academies in the Tri-State/New England area and the growing offshore wind industry on the US East Coast, there are ample opportunities to foster growth and address the labor shortage. The recently invested $2 billion in the construction of five NSMV training ships in Philadelphia presents an exciting prospect. These ships can go beyond fulfilling academy license requirements and also train returning veterans, high school marine science program participants, and union school applicants. By rotating these training ships through US ports, offshore areas, and conducting research and aquaculture experiments, we can market the industry to the next generation. The intention is to shape their understanding of alternative fuels, climate change solutions, and the importance of marine industries.
It is crucial to act now and capture the interest and imagination of the younger generation. The maritime industry must seize this opportunity before these individuals direct their energy solely towards exploring space. By offering attractive career pathways, building partnerships with educational institutions, and embracing technological advancements, we can secure a vibrant and sustainable future for the maritime industry while addressing labor shortages and combating climate change. The time for action is now.
