Indians account for the second largest nationality in the seafarer pool of Wilhelmsen Ship Management, one of the world’s top ship managers. With the ship manager looking to grow its fleet by 60 percent over the next five years, the firm will be increasing its pool of Indian seafarers to support growth, CEO & President Carl Schou said.
He added, “With shipping pivoting towards low emission fuels to deal with global climate change concerns, we foresee that this will impact the future recruitment demands in the next decade. In the very near future, ships will be built for operating on a variety of low or zero emission fuel such as liquified natural gas (LNG), methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen. It would be a different landscape from what we have today.”
“It would be a challenge to ensure that we have adequate qualified and certified seafarers to operate these new vessels efficiently and safely. At this point in time, there are many uncertainties lying ahead on investment risk owners may undertake. As such, there hasn’t been any clear regulations on guidelines on the crew competence requirements yet.”
“These new fuels will require seafarers to possess new skills and expertise to ensure safe bunkering and operability of new engine types. Seafarers need to be trained and certified to handle these new fuels and technologies. Safety management systems and other relevant documentation onboard will also need to change to adopt these changes.”
“As ship managers, we strive to make this a gradual transition and reduce the learning curve of our seafarers to ensure that they are not overwhelmed by these new changes. As of now, LNG is hailed as the transition fuel while it remains unclear for other alternative fuels. In anticipation of more dual fuel/LNG fuelled vessels entering the market, we have begun training courses for our seafarers with relevant certifications to handle LNG as fuel.”
“We have a few LNG vessels in management now and it has been helpful in giving practical bunkering experience for our seafarers to meet the requirements of certification. We have a few dual fuel vessels in management now and more dual fuel/LNG fuel vessels will be entering into management within the next few months. Hence, such preparation has already been in progress.”
“Wilhelmsen Ship Management currently employs over 3,000 active Indian seafarers accounting for nearly 30 percent of its total seafarers’ pool. India is our second largest nationality in the seafarer pool. In our experience, Indian seafarers are much sought after due to their competence and proficiency in English language.”
“We have ambitious growth plans to grow our fleet by 60 percent over the next five years and we will be increasing our pool of Indian seafarers to support our growth. Particularly in the tanker fleet, our gas fleet is experiencing rapid expansion and we have recently returned to the oil tanker market through the brand name of Barber Ship Management. We are seeking more Indian seafarers with the right competence to join us.”
