Maritime Administration Head: Attracting Young People to Shipping Takes More Than a Stable Job
Jānis Krastiņš, chairman of the board of the Latvian Maritime Administration, says the shrinking number of seafarers in Latvia has become a national-scale challenge. He argues the industry should change how it presents itself, stressing growth prospects, technology and international experience.
The number of seafarers in Latvia continues to fall, and this is turning into a challenge at national level, writes Jānis Krastiņš, chairman of the board of the Latvian Maritime Administration, in the magazine Ir. He stresses that shipping is strategically important both for economic growth and for national security.
Beyond stability
Krastiņš notes that for earlier generations a stable job was often one of the main criteria when choosing a profession. For younger generations, alongside pay and security, other questions matter more and more: whether the work will be interesting, whether there will be opportunities for professional growth, and whether they can work with modern technology and gain international experience. In his view, the maritime sector can answer these questions positively.
He cites 2026 figures from BIMCO and the International Chamber of Shipping: the global merchant fleet is short of roughly 39,100 qualified ship officers, and by 2030 the industry will need more than 113 thousand additional officers.
A career ecosystem
The author points out that pay for qualified officers in international shipping is in many cases significantly higher than the average wage in Latvia. Working and living conditions, contract length and minimum pay are strictly regulated, and some companies also offer pension funds, paid training and the chance to continue a career ashore. The maritime sector also covers ports, logistics, shipbuilding and repair, technology, security and management.
Visibility of the industry
Krastiņš believes young people often do not see the full picture of the industry and gain their first real impressions only during sea practice. He argues that informational materials alone are no longer enough, and gives the Netflix series Drive to Survive as an example of how a sector can be shown to a wider audience. To help young people get to know the industry, a competition called “Enkurs 2027” is being held for pupils in grades 7–12, in which they can steer ship simulators, fight fires, carry out rescue tasks in a pool and try industrial climbing.
A national priority
The author emphasises that attracting young people is not only a matter for industry companies or educational institutions but also part of the state's priorities. He reminds readers that a Latvian seafarer who works for an international company and spends the income mainly in Latvia is a kind of long-term investor. To make use of this, he says, more focused communication, closer cooperation between the industry and educational institutions, and earlier introduction of young people to the sector are needed.
