we can master our ship operation with only foreign officers onboard our
ships. But in the long run, I am afraid our maritime industry will deteriorate without
Norwegian officers.
2. The international situation
The BIMCO/ISF 1995 study "The World Wide Demand for and Supply of
Seafarers" indicate a shortage of officers in 1995 of some 18,000 or about 4%. In the
coming decade this shortage is likely to increase to some 10%. - When this study was
presented in London in January 1995, some of the owners present said that if quality and
qualification had been taken into consideration, the shortage would have been dramatic
already.
2.1 Philippines
The Philippines are by far the largest supplier of seafarers to the
international fleet, and some 20 % of the seafarers, or 160,000, are coming from the
country. 40,000 of these are officers.
In the Philippines there are some 100 schools, colleges and academics
giving maritime education. The quality of this education vary a lot. Information we have
received lately, indicates that the examination system have been tightened up, without a
corresponding or equivalent upgrading of the education.
We fear that the Philippines will not be able to educate sufficient
number of officers to maintain their number of officers at present level.
Our member companies report that it is getting more difficult day by
day to recruit new officers. One company that have been using Filipino officers for many
years, have recently tried to get officers to two of their newbuildings - without success.
Further we know that the Filipino officers nowadays seldom accept salaries according to
our CBA.
2.2 India
We are using about 3,700 Indian seafarers - most of them officers. The
theoretical education in India seems to be very good, and our member companies say that
they are generally satisfied with their Indian officers. But their practical education
should be upgraded.
It is our impression that the teaching staff is very qualified and
dedicated. But maritime education is not given high priority by the Indian government. We
think it will be difficult to increase the output from Indian maritime schools without a
major private investment in the Indian education system-
We know that this spring India was visited by a delegation from a
country that
