Seafarer Workforce Report - The global supply and demand for seafarers in 2026

Prepared by BIMCO and ICS, this comprehensive report details the global seafarer workforce supply and demand situation. With contributions from national maritime administrations, shipping companies, maritime education and training institutions and industry experts, this report is considered to be an essential tool for those tasked with developing crewing and training strategies.

The 2026 edition contains:

• Detailed estimates of the current supply and demand for seafarers for the world fleet, including country-specific figures
• details of the demographic composition of the supply of seafarers
• forward projections for the likely supply and demand situations over the next five years
• identification of various maritime training, recruitment and retention trends and their potential consequences.

1. Introduction

2. Methodology

3. Current Supply of the Global Seafarer Workforce

4. Current Demand for the Global Seafarer Workforce

5. Future Supply and Demand for Seafarers

Appendices

Appendix A - Estimated Global Supply of Seafarers in 2021

Appendix B - Estimated Average Operational Crewing Levels by Ship Type and Tonnage

Appendix C - Maritime Education and Training (MET) Institutions Questionnaire

Appendix D - Methodology and Data Limitations

Appendix E - List of Respondents

BIMCO

Facilitating trade is at the very heart of our business, and since 1905, we've helped our members keep world trade moving. We make it our business to help our members with theirs.

BIMCO members cover 64% of the world's tonnage and consist of local, global, small and large companies. We are an organisation and global shipping community of 2,100 members in 120 countries.

From our offices in Athens, Brussels, Copenhagen, Houston, London, Shanghai and Singapore we aim to help build a resilient industry in a sustainable future whilst protecting world trade. We do this by finding practical solutions for our members to help them manage risk in a changing world.

To find out more, please visit About BIMCO

ICS

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the global trade association representing national shipowners? associations from Asia, Africa, the Americas and Europe and more than 80% of the world merchant fleet. Established in 1921, ICS is concerned with all aspects of maritime affairs particularly maritime safety, environmental protection, maritime law and employment affairs. ICS enjoys consultative status with the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Labour Organization (ILO).

ICS also develops best practices and guidance, including a wide range of publications and free resources that are used by ship operators globally.

www.ics-shipping.org/about-ics/