The bond and retention of Chinese seafarers for international shipping companies: a survey report

Abstract

The shortage of junior seafarers in China in recent years raises a salient question as to how international shipping companies can improve retention rates among Chinese crews. This issue has become increasingly prominent in the context of a global lockdown resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. This paper examines the dilemma through the lens of the “bond” between seafarers and the shipping companies they service, a term used to reflect the need to recognise, consent and integrate into management systems, safety culture, and organizational values. The value of this bond concept is investigated in a survey of Chinese crews (N = 318). The paper aims to reveal the features and underlying factors of the bond, and its influence on needs, perceptions and seafaring careers in foreign shipping companies. The study finds that the majority of respondents do not have a bond with their shipping company, but typically do wish to develop one. Furthermore, this form of attachment appears to be closely related to career satisfaction and retention. To address the shortage of junior seafarers in China, we call for the development of mutual trust, respect and shared values between global seafarers and international shipping companies. A number of policy recommendations are provided.

Covid-19 and after: About human factors and welfare in shipping

“…Unfortunately, industry and society have not recognized the role of seafarers sufficiently. Lack of recognition pictures an indifferent work environment for seafarers (Wu, Gu, Carter 2021;Devereux, Wadsworth 2022;Osler 2020;Chen, Chen, Ye 2022). The majority of participants highlighted the indifference shown towards seafarers' role, as exemplified by two seafarers' families below: "I already sort of know how they're treated and the conditions under which they work, the pressures, the expectations, the workload.…”

Issues in Modern Ship Management and Strategies for Ship Captains

“…In terms of crew management, the global shipping industry faces a severe shortage of seafarers [9]. This challenge arises from various factors, including the volatility of the shipping market, competition for high salaries, and the hardships of extended voyages [10]. Ship captains must grapple with the difficulties of recruiting and retaining qualified crew members while also addressing crew training and health concerns.…”