A shortage of seafarers presents a threat to Australian industry moving.
It’s contained in a Maritime Workforce Position Paper commissioned by LNG company INPEX and supported by the Australian Resources & Energy Employer Association (AREEA) and leading maritime organisations.
Australia’s pool of seafarers declined by 23 per cent over the last year said INPEX Australia senior vice president corporate Bill Townsend.
“We’re now seeing the demand for seafarers outstripping supply in circumstances approaching a flashpoint,” he said.
“This is a result of limited action in the past decade to ensure the training and crewing sustainability of the Australian shipping fleet.” The shortfall had a direct impact on the capacity of the maritime workforce to meet the expansion and maintenance of Australia’s offshore oil and gas sector, said Mr Townsend.
Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) national secretary Paddy Crumlin said maritime skills were integral to an island nation such as Australia.
“This report highlights the critical areas required for Australia to become an important maritime hub for the region and to support many initiatives and government policies, from offshore decommissioning through to offshore renewable energy and, importantly, the Strategic Fleet to support Australia’s sovereign capability.
“Australia cannot risk reliance on overseas maritime skills in an increasingly polarised and unstable geopolitical environment.”
Globally, the industry is predicting a need for up to 89,510 additional officers by 2026.
The report identifies poor training pathways as central to the nation’s inability to develop the maritime workforce needed.
It found myriad barriers and disincentives such as high costs of education and skills development and a lack of access to berths to undertake the mandatory sea time.
The Maritime Workforce Position Paper recommends four immediate actions, with two further recommendations over the medium terms to maintain resilience.
Immediate actions cover recruitment and retention, training, attracting those with transferable skills into the industry and expanding the talent pool.