Q: What has been the Employment Committee's biggest achievement recently? 

Earlier this year we put a lot of effort into preparing a jobs plan for UK officers on domestic ferry services, with the aim of keeping the role on the Government’s Temporary Shortage List and enabling operators to address immediate workforce shortages by recruiting overseas officers.  The outcome was published last month.  Submissions had been made in respect of 82 occupations.  Only 28 were accepted – and ours was one of these!

If anything, the fact that the Chamber was able to put a case to the Migration Advisory Committee that was read and accepted is even more important than the practical effect of the decision.  We now need to build on this by convincing the Government to allow ratings to be recruited from abroad whilst a UK workforce is in development.

Q: Beyond the Seafarers' (Wages and Working Conditions) Act, what domestic employment issues has the Employment Committee been focusing on over the past year?

The Government’s Employment Rights Act 2025 represents the most far-reaching reform of employment law in recent memory.  We have had to consider the implications for ship operators of changes to zero-hour contracts, trade union rights of access to workplace premises and an extension of notification duties in cases of collective redundancies.

The recent consultation relating to regulations on seafarers’ wages and working conditions on international services making 120 UK port calls annually has been particularly challenging.  The Chamber has had to draw attention to the conflict between the Government’s ambitions and the international law of the sea, which makes no provision for states to regulate employment terms and conditions on foreign ships sailing in international waters.

Q: How is the UK Chamber helping to shape the international debate around seafarer employment and conditions at sea? 

Shipping is a global business and the most important rules that govern seafaring are set internationally. The ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC) is the global reference point for regulation of seafarers’ living and working conditions and it is kept under continuous review by a Special Tripartite Committee.  Meanwhile the IMO Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping, 1978 (STCW), which sets out requirements for seafaring qualifications, is currently undergoing a comprehensive review.  The UK Chamber is one of the most influential and respected voices in the ICS on these matters and ensures that its members have their concerns taken into account as decisions are made. 

Q: Alongside your Chamber role, you chair the International Chamber of Shipping's Labour Affairs Committee. What does that involve, and why does it matter?

The LAC manages ICS’ relations with the ILO and the IMO, as well as with non-regulatory organisations that play significant roles in international law-making.  It also takes the lead on relations with the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), which is the global representative organisation for seafarers and their unions.  Good relations between ICS and ITF are essential.  On many issues we have a common interest and there was no clearer demonstration of this than during the Covid-19 pandemic.  The unwillingness of many states to permit crew changes left hundreds of thousands of seafarers stuck on their ships and a similar number prevented from travelling to relieve them.  The close co-operation demonstrated by ICS and ITF was highly impactful and eventually led to an improved situation for the stranded crews.

As LAC Chair I am also the shipowner Vice-President of the ILO Special Tripartite Committee, which means I’m chair of and spokesperson for the shipowner group in negotiations over proposed amendments to the MLC.  It’s a demanding but highly rewarding role in a forum where international law is made. It also means I have to do a lot of talking, but I just about cope! 

Q: Scanning the horizon, what do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges for employment at sea in the years ahead?

The skills that the crews of the future will need are evolving as pressure builds for shipping to reduce its carbon footprint.  All of the alternative fuels being touted have safety concerns associated with them and current training programmes will need to be substantially overhauled to take account of these.  This will affect not only those coming into the industry but also existing seafarers.

Convincing young people of the merits of careers at sea is a constant challenge.  The financial rewards can be considerable – particularly for those who benefit from favourable tax arrangements – whilst seagoing qualifications open doors to a wide range of shoreside opportunities.  Nevertheless the lifestyle doesn’t suit everybody and the disruptions caused by current geopolitical considerations, alongside memories of Covid, cast an inevitable shadow.

One area in which the industry has to strengthen its approach is its appeal to women, who remain significantly under-represented in the global fleet.  The presence of many outstanding female role models in the industry undoubtedly helps.  However, employers need to think carefully about what adjustments to recruitment campaigns and the shipboard environment are required to encourage women to make their careers at sea.

For more information on the work of the Forum, please contact Tim. In addition, UK Chamber Members can find further updates on the work of the Employment Committee via the Member Dashboard.