By Cruz Lena
The shipping industry is one of the biggest employers in the world. The sad thing about this fact is that its workforce consists mainly of uneducated and unskilled individuals. It’s surprising to see how low rates are for sailors working on cargo ships when you consider the level of responsibility they have on board. Nevertheless, there are some positive trends in the shipping industry that may impact an individual’s decision to pursue a career or not.
Here are some of the main reasons from shipping experts like Victor Restis:
Global Economy Is On The Rise
There hasn’t been a day in the past three years that global GDP has dropped below 2%. Such growth rate is impressive by any standard, not to mention that it’s been constant. Unfortunately, this means that there will be an ever-increasing demand for international shipments, with all participating vessels feeling the pressure of such market expansion.
This situation will lead to an increase in salaries and better working conditions for sailors. It will also attract new audiences to the industry who are yet to appreciate the benefits of being involved in international trade.
Shipbuilding Is Expanding
Every single year, fleets become larger, which means that there is a great demand for additional ships. Shipbuilders worldwide have taken note of this fact, and they are doing their best to speed up the construction process. This may entail compromises in terms of quality however it does allow for more people to participate in the growing market.
With better ships being built, there is less chance of accidents occurring. Vessels will be safer, and consequently, so will sailors’ lives. If current trends are any indication of what’s to come, it’s highly likely that international trade will grow even larger in time.
Ships Are Becoming More Energy Efficient
The shipping industry is among the biggest polluters out there. This was not much of an issue up until recent years, but it has become clear for all involved parties that measures must be taken if they want to continue doing business and not go bankrupt as a result of overregulation.
Energy efficiency is at the forefront of everyone’s mind, and there are plenty of projects designed to address this problem. Electric powerplants, eco-friendly fuels, solar sails, wind propulsion systems – you name it! Such advancements can lead to more people joining the industry as they can rest assured knowing that their contribution is less damaging to the environment.
One thing you should also keep in mind is that old ships are being phased out. This makes way for safer, more reliable vessels, which will ultimately lead to better working conditions on board.
It’s All About Supply And Demand
Shipping industry trends are directly affected by market demands. In order for us to see significant changes, there has to be a widespread consensus on the topic of ‘how can we make things better?’. Up until this happens, new strategies will only deal with specific issues and not tackle the problem at its core.
We should keep in mind that trends are often cyclical. The key is to provide better options for sailors and reduce the costs of transporting goods, but simply talking about a reduction in accidents or pollution isn’t enough to change anything.
