25 years of experience, P&I Club certificates, yellow fever vaccination, special offers for seafarers from other countries: transfer service, accommodation search, discounts on certificates in partner training centers, employment assistance through Georgian crewing companies.

The recent research by the ITF has shown that although the wage scale has increased in 2024, it still fails to keep pace with the living expenses. And that’s very true for ratings who quite often have to seek any work bites while being on shore leave. So how much do seafarers serving in different capacities really make today, and what fleet is the most rewarding?

The shortage of ship officers in the global merchant fleet has reached its highest level in the last 17 years. The global consultancy Drewry reports this. Thus, the shortage is estimated at 9%, while a year ago it was 5%. This is in line with BIMCO's forecasts and the International Chamber of Shipping's Seafarer Workforce Report, according to which the shortfall will increase to 20% by 2026.

Working away from home inevitably impinges on both the one who works - a seafarer, and his family members. The seafarer missed the whole “series” of family events and it is impossible to make up for them post factum.