In today's Straits Times there is there article with the caption "Seafaring officers in short supply". In the article, it states that the shipping industry is sending recruiters to neighbouring countries like China, India, Philippines and Indonesia to woo maritime college cadets for Singapore-flagged ships. Specialized training will be gien if they sign up to work on the ships after graduation.
"The global shipping industry currently faces a shortage of about 10,000 seafaring officers. Even harder hit are vessels that ferry liquefied natural gas and chemicals. Such ships are more complex to handle than conventional ships. Companies pay officers on such vessels US$25,000 (S$39,000) a month, up to five times more than on other ships"
US$25,000 per month!! Ok...even if you serve on conventional ships, you will also get around US$5,000/month, which is like S$8,000 per month. Its alot of money although it is tough job sailing out there... but then compared to the old days.. life will be much better now. So esp for guys, if you're young and don't know what to do... this might be 1 career option. Bring in good money. Maybe work for 10 yrs.. then open a small business or change to on-shore job oso can... Sure can save quite abit since there is nth to spend on when you're sailing all the time...
Anyway, my supervisor said that my course is started oso to solve the shortage in the shipping industry. Those sea-faring positions can be filled by wooing people from other countries but those on-shore management job they would prefer locals to do it.. but then almost half of my coursemates are not locals..so well......... And these people might not work in Singapore after graduation...Oh well... let's see in time to come..
Bonkers @ 7/08/2006 11:35:00 AM
