Malaysia is poised to address the rising global demand for skilled seafarers, but industry experts emphasize the need to enhance the country’s maritime talent pipeline through improved training programs, stronger collaboration with the maritime sector, and increased career awareness among youth.
A recent report by the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) highlights a global shortage of certified maritime officers. Despite a workforce of approximately 2.57 million seafarers serving on over 85,000 merchant vessels worldwide, the 2026 Seafarer Workforce Report projects a deficit of about 39,100 officers holding Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) credentials this year. Meanwhile, the industry continues to experience a surplus of around 56,890 ratings, or non-officer crew members.
Prof Datuk Seri Dr Capt Razali Yaacob, founder and chairman of the Netherlands Maritime University College, said the shortfall underscores the importance of producing more STCW-certified officers in Malaysia who meet international competency standards. The STCW framework, established by the International Maritime Organization, sets global minimum standards for maritime qualification and training.
“The shortage of certified officers worldwide is an opportunity for Malaysia to consolidate its position as a maritime talent hub,” Prof Razali said. He noted that Malaysia benefits from a solid maritime ecosystem comprising ports, shipping companies, maritime educational institutions, and regulatory expertise. However, raising the number of certified officers will require heightened career awareness, expanded training capabilities, and enhanced cooperation between academic institutions and the shipping industry.
Datuk Zahid Osman, president and group chief executive officer of Malaysia International Shipping Corporation (MISC), concurred that fortifying the pipeline for maritime talent is vital to ensuring a steady supply of qualified seafarers. He emphasized that the STCW certification not only guarantees qualifications for seafaring roles but also provides a clear progression pathway for various leadership positions ashore. Given Malaysia’s strategic location along the Strait of Malacca and its longstanding maritime training heritage, Zahid affirmed the country’s capacity to supply globally competent maritime professionals.
Despite these prospects, Prof Razali pointed out that maritime careers remain undervalued among Malaysian youth due to outdated stereotypes about seafaring, such as prolonged time away from home and physically demanding work. He stressed that the modern maritime industry has evolved significantly, with advanced technology, automation, and improved welfare standards. The profession now offers diverse opportunities beyond shipboard roles, including port management, maritime logistics, shipping administration, offshore energy, marine surveying, maritime law, education, and government service.
Both experts underscored the need for earlier engagement to raise awareness of maritime careers, suggesting that exposure should begin well before tertiary education. Zahid highlighted the importance of showcasing the sector’s contemporary job prospects, from seafaring roles to shore-based positions in logistics and safety management.
To develop a sustainable workforce, Zahid identified three key priorities: increasing training capacity, fostering industry partnerships to provide mandatory seafarer sea-time placements, and garnering government support through scholarships and enabling policies. He also emphasized the significance of attracting more women into the traditionally male-dominated maritime industry. Data from the Malaysian Maritime Academy (Alam) reveals that female cadet participation has grown from 9.4% in 2023 to 11.15% in 2025, a rate notably higher than the global average of 1-2%.
Efforts by MISC through Alam have helped open maritime education to women since 2006, with female graduates joining the seafaring workforce and progressing into roles ashore. Zahid added that increasing gender diversity requires early outreach, targeted scholarships, mentorship programs, inclusive workplace policies, and clear pathways to leadership positions.
Prof Razali stressed the need for coordinated efforts among the government, shipping companies, and maritime institutions to ensure sufficient cadet sea-time placements, which remain a key bottleneck affecting certification completion. He called for a unified industry approach to attract young Malaysians by providing clear career advancement routes and promoting maritime professions as prestigious, lucrative, and internationally relevant.
“As over 90% of global trade is transported by sea, the shipping industry will continue to be pivotal to the world economy,” Prof Razali concluded, highlighting the critical role Malaysia can play in meeting future maritime workforce demands.