Eurocrew is to promote maritime jobs
Date of publication: 31.05.2012
Eurocrew is the initiative, which appeared in European maritime human resources sector in 2010. Association existence is result of common ideas appearing among various institutions and individuals deeply involved in maritime human resources sector, coming from Croatia, Latvia, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.

Eurocrew is the initiative, which appeared in European maritime human resources sector in 2010.

Eurocrew Association has been registered in one of the biggest European ports – Gdynia.  Registration place has been chosen with good reason.  Gdynia with its less than hundred year history is well known and recognized worldwide symbol of fast development based on maritime tradition and maritime industry.

Association existence is result of common ideas appearing among various institutions and individuals deeply involved in maritime human resources sector, coming from Croatia, Latvia, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.

Where was the need to form a regional crewing association and what are the basic objectives of EUROCREW ?

After communism collapsed in Europe the seafarers searching employment on international market and through the years of changes we have indentified that  East European countries have similar problem in view of seafarers: reduced , almost not existing national fleet, lack of proper/ modern state industry regulation , but still healthy with high  standard maritime education system and big amount of well qualified, experienced seafarers.
We should understanding that centre of gravity of the seafarers market has continued to shift from the traditional maritime countries of Western Europe, Japan and North America towards the Eastern Europe, Far East, and India. This transition isn’t matched by any strategy, plan, preparation or coordination to match the magnitude of work involved.

East European Officers with good education background, through a years were invested their money and vacation time for professional courses, increasing and updating their qualification, knowledge and skills.
But, please be aware East European seafarers are progressively less competitive compared to Asian/Far East nationals, who may not be of the best quality but they are considered good enough to do the job.

One of the basic objectives of Eurocrew is to promote maritime jobs as a favourable option of a
professional carrier development for citizens of European states. We also aim to take any measures needed to confirm that maritime jobs are a good choice for European citizens and residents. Eurocrew has adopted as its programme target the coordination of actions and efforts of private Organizations, government institutions, shipowners, managing companies in the maritime economy sector, all training institutions and organizations of seafarers, dedicated to maintaining jobs for European seafarers and creating favourable working conditions at sea.

The name EUROCREW suggests that there is a geographic connotation to the Association’s activities and membership. Yet, EUROCREW has so far been limited to countries in the Central and East Europe (CEE) region. How do you define your area of operation? And why?

To meet the objectives the Association may cooperate with no territorial limitations with incorporated entities, individuals, other associations, organizations, federations and confederations.
We are not confined to EU borders although we want to secure the jobs and to promote  European  maritime manpower through our efforts. We are struggling for favorable EU legislation, for improved  human resources management techniques. We are acting as a strong organization who represents more than 100.000 European seafarers. Our main goal is to improve and keep the European crewing market attractive, but we are open to discussions and cooperation with any other party interested in the maritime industry regardless of the geographic location.

What kind of a role does EUROCREW see itself playing in the ongoing shipping crisis? Are shipowners and shipmanagers willing to listen and talk to a regional crewing representative when they clearly have more important things to deal with?

Human Resources is one of these important things and the shipowners are really concerned about this matter. The Association determines its position between the Employer and the Seafarer and takes any
possible measures aimed at representing the interests of seafarers towards the Employers.
Moreover, the Association spares no efforts in deepening the awareness of the seafarers with
regard to economic issues that govern the fleet managing companies. The aim of Eurocrew is to popularise the principles of professional ethics in the sector of human resource management for the maritime economy.

Is EUROCREW in a position to protect and promote seafaring in the CEE region against the emergence of cheaper labour options from Asia? How do you propose to convince European owners and shipmanagers to continue increasing employment rates in the region, given the current economic scenario?

Our strongest argument is  the existing potential of the European crewing market. Migration of shipmanagers and shipowners to the cheaper labour market doesn’t necessarily mean cheaper total operations costs of their fleet on medium and long term. The Central and East European countries have the fastest proportional increase in officers supply over the period 1990-2010.  We have good education systems, reputable maritime universities and colleges that deliver every year an important number of well qualified graduates who are willing to fast develop their career at sea. This is what the Shipowners need, and we can meet their needs.

Crew retention and company loyalty are major concerns with owners and shipmanagers when it comes to employing seafarers from the CEE region. How does EUROCREW propose to address these issues with its members?

East European seafarers are prepared to stay long time with the shipowners; they are worry to lose a job if shipowners will move to cheaper sources. Our own resources shown that during a crisis time, more than 60% of officer from CEE are accepting even lowering their wages to stay with present employer.
Russian, Ukrainians and Fair East seafarers are not filling the crisis, they have now even more then before possibilities to find the job.
Loyalty of European seafarers and retention rate are above the entire industry average figures and statistics. This is another strong argument the Shipowners have to take in consideration before making the decision of moving their recruitment areas to cheaper labour markets.

Cadet recruitment in the CEE region has seen a rapid decline in recent years. Yet all countries under the EUROCREW umbrella continue to produce increasingly higher number of marine graduates with each passing year. What can EUROCREW do to ensure that the younger generation of European seafarers gets its fair share of opportunities?

We should to understanding that different factors influence the person decision to choosing seafarer’s profession. There are: good salaries, social status, career possibilities, higher education possibilities, family tradition, self motivation, realization, friends and relatives recommendations.
I know that in East Europe seafarers’ job still attracts a young people. The income from ship officer’s job is still attractive compare with average income in these countries. Not only Eurocrew, but all other industry players need to find solutions to ensure that young generations have the opportunity to develop their career at sea. It is a matter of common efforts and we are in permanent contact with the Maritime Universities, students and graduates , shipowners and shipmanagers regarding this aspect.

What is EUROCREW’s position on the ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) by its member countries? What are the reasons for delay in the ratification of MLC 2006 in Croatia, Latvia, Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine?

Eurocrew members are more than interested and deeply involved in how the MLC 2006 will be implemented in their countries and we are not only observing the process, but also an active part of negotiations and discussions with the Unions, National Authorities,  Shipowners and Flag state Administrations. Our major concerns are : social insurance of seafarers and Manning Agency responsibility in view of MLC regulations.
We need  clear procedures and clear  legislation which caused that East European Seafarers remain competitive on worldwide market and seafarer profession attractive for young people . Lack of these is one of the reasons for delaying the implementation of MLC  in some of the European countries.

What are EUROCREW’s future plans on consolidating your organization and membership strength? Which are the country associations that are in the pipeline to becoming EUROCREW members?

Eurocrew is an open organization and the number of our members is constantly increasing. Our strength relies not only in the number of  memberships, but also in the seafarers we are representing and the objectives and goals we are looking to achieve.  Already our young Association covers all Central and East European countries. Our newest members are  Ukraine and Bulgaria and we are quickly becoming an Organization of interest for other shipping institutions and entities .