The latest five-year Baltic and International Maritime Council/Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (Bimco/ICS) Manpower Report forecasts that an additional 147 500 officers will be required by 2025 to service the world merchant fleet.
The report, available on the Bimco website, puts the current shortfall at 2.1%, amounting to 16 500 officers.
Some officer categories are in a short supply, including engineer officers at management level and officers needed for specialised ships such as chemical, liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas carriers.
Although the global supply of officers is forecast to increase steadily, this is predicted to be outpaced by increasing demand.