The continuing decline in the number of British seafarers and UK-flagged vessels is putting the nation’s economic security at risk and could leave it ‘dangerously dependent’ on other countries for many essential goods, Nautilus International has warned.
Latest statistics show the UK has slipped to 20th place in the global rankings of ship registrations, with just 0.8% of the world’s total tonnage. The number of UK seafarers has fallen by 75% since 1975 – and is set to decline even further without increased training.
To protect the industry and ensure that the UK does not lose its status as a global maritime nation, Nautilus is launching a ten-point charter calling for united action by the UK Government and the country’s maritime ‘cluster’.
The charter sets out proposals to ensure decent work and training opportunities for British officers and ratings – including increases in the level of support given to seafarers and shipping companies to pay for training.
It also urges the Government to review the system for allowing foreign seafarers to work onboard British vessels and to refresh the tonnage tax system to encourage more ship owners to join the UK flag.
Nautilus General Secretary Mark Dickinson said: “Ninety-five per cent of all our goods are brought to us by ship. Without our own shipping industry, we would become dangerously dependent on the fleets of other nations for the supply of critical goods, including food, oil and gas for heating, and even military equipment. Those countries would then have the power to hold us to ransom by controlling the volume and price of goods entering or leaving UK ports through the manipulation of shipping rates or ocean carrier services, a hostile strategy known as ‘sea strangulation’.
“Now, with the UK referendum outcome to leave the European Union, we have a unique opportunity to set ambitious goals for the protection and future of the country’s maritime industries.”
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Post written by: Julie Shennan
Features Editor of MOD DCB Magazine and MOD DSS Yearbook. Content Marketing Executive at BiP Solutions (Defence Online's sister company). Editor and founder of Artsnfaffs Online Magazine.
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