Employers and Unions Unite for a Maritime Workforce Plan

In a recent development, employers have joined forces with maritime unions to highlight a looming crisis in Australia’s maritime industry. They warn of a "critical shortage" of seafarers, attributing this to an ageing workforce and inadequate training arrangements. The Maritime Workforce Position Paper underscores the urgent need for an overhaul to address this issue, which threatens national energy security, defence, and supply chains.

The paper points out that a significant portion of the maritime workforce is nearing retirement, with more workers aged 55 and over than those in their 30s and 40s. This demographic imbalance could lead to severe shortages unless addressed promptly. The paper suggests rebranding the industry to make it more appealing, using Defence Department-style messaging to highlight the respect and admiration the work deserves.

Commissioned by offshore energy explorer and producer INPEX, and supported by the Australian Resources & Energy Employer Association (AREEA), Maritime Industry Australia Limited (MIAL), and three unions – AIMPE, AMOU, and MUA – the paper sheds light on the workforce challenges that have persisted since the 2013 Australian Maritime Workforce Development Strategy.

Bill Townsend, INPEX Australia’s corporate senior vice president, noted a 23% decline in the seafarer pool over the past year, warning that demand now outstrips supply. He attributed this to a decade of insufficient action to ensure sustainable training and crewing for the Australian shipping fleet. This shortfall directly impacts the maritime workforce’s capacity to support the expansion and maintenance of Australia’s offshore oil and gas sector.

Employers and Unions Unite for a Maritime Workforce Plan

The paper predicts that decommissioning oil and gas platforms off Western Australia and Victoria will create significant demand for over 1,000 additional maritime workers. Further demand will arise from building and servicing offshore wind farms, new oil and gas projects, and the proposed strategic fleet.

Blaming inadequate training pathways, the paper highlights the need for a comprehensive government response and funding to address these issues. Currently, there are only two major training centres in Tasmania and Perth, with high costs and limited access to berths for mandatory sea time. The paper calls for streamlining current pathways and addressing cost barriers to boost the supply of ratings, engineers, and officers.

Outgoing Skills and Training Minister Brendan O’Connor emphasised the importance of having a skilled workforce for the strategic fleet and the broader maritime industry. He acknowledged the scarcity of training courses and the high costs as significant challenges.

AREEA deputy chief executive Tara Diamond stressed the need for federal government involvement to address chronic workforce shortages in the commercial maritime industry. Without such action, the recent overhaul of the navy’s surface combatant fleet could exacerbate the strain.

MIAL chief executive Angela Gillham highlighted the high cost, time consumption, and limited availability of training vessels as major obstacles. She called for immediate efforts to meet short-term demand, even as the strategic fleet policy promises long-term benefits.

MUA national secretary Paddy Crumlin underscored the importance of addressing the current and future maritime skills gap to avoid reliance on overseas skills in an unstable geopolitical environment.

AIMPE federal secretary Martin Byrne emphasised the need for homegrown marine engineers to support Australia’s energy sector, emergency response capabilities, and regional security.

AMOU executive officer Jarrod Moran pointed out the critical role of Australian seafarers in navigating ports safely and maintaining maritime independence.

This comprehensive approach to tackling the maritime workforce shortage aims to secure Australia’s future in the industry and maintain its maritime independence. The report clearly outlines the need for immediate and sustained investment in maritime skills to achieve this goal.