merchant fleet - Vacation on the cargo ship - more girls are traveling
The interest of young people in a summer job on a container ship is increasing, according to the Shipowners' Association. This year, 42 students will participate in the so-called Seafarer Training Program during their summer holidays - one third of them are female, as the German Shipowners' Association (VDR) based in Hamburg announced. Last year, five of the 36 participants were female.
Within the VDR program, students and pupils can spend up to four weeks on a container ship, bulk carrier, or tugboat if their application is successful. Applicants must provide proof of a completed first aid course, be seaworthy, and submit a motivation letter. Seaworthiness must be certified by a doctor.
The aim of the project is to attract new talent to the shipping industry. "The need for skilled labor in our industry is high," said Holger Jäde, the training officer of the Association. The program provides a foundation for a potential career in shipping. The Association did not have exact figures available on request as to how many personnel German shipping companies are lacking.
Most of the participating companies have their headquarters in Hamburg. Among them is the largest German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd. Two shipping companies come from Leer in Lower Saxony; two others are from Kastorf and Flensburg in Schleswig-Holstein. The Lighthouse Pilots Association, which operates several locations in Northern Germany, is also involved.
On German ships, men predominantly work. As the VDR announced in May, of the 6952 socially insured employees on German merchant vessels, 490 were women. This corresponds to a share of around seven percent. Internationally, the proportion of women in shipping is around two percent.
- The Seafarer Training Program, which attracts young people to the shipping industry during their summer vacations, also accepts applications from students in Lower Saxony, as demonstrated by the participation of two shipping companies based in Leer.
- Holger Jäde, the training officer of the Shipowners' Association based in Hamburg, highlighted the high demand for skilled labor in the shipping industry, stating that the program serves as a potential foundation for a career in this field.
- In Schleswig-Holstein, two other shipping companies participate in the Seafarer Training Program, further demonstrating the nationwide coverage of the initiative to encourage interest in the shipping industry.
- During their time on the container ship or cargo ship, participants in the program gain practical experience, potentially leading to full-time employment in the shipping industry, thereby addressing the labor market's need for skilled workers.
