NUMBERS OF SKILLED SEAFARERS

That this House notes that the shipping industry supports some 239,000 jobs and contributes around £11 billion a year to the UK's gross domestic product; is concerned by the current shortage of skilled seafarers faced by the international shipping industry; recognises that this skills shortage is likely to degenerate into a skills crisis in coming years if not rectified; notes with concern that some ship owners are being forced to ask officers to undertake longer tours of duty as a result of the skills shortage; is concerned that evidence from marine insurers suggests that the scale of the seafarer shortage has increased safety risks; observes the action being taken by countries including the Philippines, the Netherlands and the United States to boost maritime training levels; believes that measures to increase the supply of skilled seafarers in the UK would not only rebuild the UK maritime skills base but also provide an opportunity for the UK to become a key source of skilled seafarers for the international shipping industry; and calls on the UK Government to implement measures to improve training support for seafarers.