It is an indisputable fact that Greeks have been inextricably linked to shipping and the maritime profession since the beginning of time.
This is certainly not a coincidence, nor is it something that is difficult to explain. The geographical position, as well as the relief with the extension of our coastal and island country is a reason.
The other, which I consider even more powerful reality, has to do with our DNA that has been passed down from generation to generation. For Greeks, the maritime profession and shipping are stable, prevailing and perhaps the separate and special place where we stand out on a global level.
The Greek-owned fleet numbers over 5,000 ships, and they are operated by a large number of Managing and Shipowning Companies.
Those ships are of new technology and young age. They are also specialized ships for the transport of all types of cargoes, such as containers, dry cargo, petroleum products, chemicals, natural gas and so many others.
Their means of propulsion varies from simple internal combustion engines to electric propulsion, dual fuels, etc.
The officers, as well as the crews called upon to sail these ships, must have knowledge corresponding to the requirements of managing and handling the ships in such a demanding industry as global shipping.
Certainly, the manning of a modern ship is not an easy task, especially at the officers level. The available number of Greek officers is never enough to cover the ever-increasing demands, both qualitatively and numerically.
Even by adding foreign officers it’s not enough to cover the needs.
It is one thing to talk about a number to cover the vacant positions and another to mean capable officers who can cope with the ever-increasing international and commercial demands.
In order for our pioneering work in shipping to have a long future, we must not only continue like this, but also increase the effort to improve and upgrade the human resources.
It is therefore a basic prerequisite for us to have such capable sailors, that they come from high grade Naval Academies and training centers where they have received the necessary theoretical training, which in combination with practical experience on board the ships, will enable them to carry out their tasks with safety and quality.
Let us not forget that a large number of these new entrants to the maritime industry will staff maritime offices as well in the future, offering their knowledge and experience.
The evaluation criteria must be such that the knowledge, development potential, also the character and ethics of the young probationers and tomorrow’s officers to whom shipping companies will entrust their ships are met.
It is favorable that the number of students in the Naval Academies, both public and private ones, is not sufficient to cover the needs of the lack of competent officers.
The number of students admitted each year to public Nautical academies, plus a 40% additional class quota to private Academies is not sufficient to cover the needs because the large percentage that does not complete their studies or does not progress in the hierarchical ladder and reach the final diploma must be taken into account.
The reasons for the loss of a large number of students who change their path during the course of their studies are many.
One reason is the entry to the national Maritime Academies through national examinations and some children did not have the naval profession as their main choice, so something changed along the way.
The opposite, I would say, applies to private Academies where students are from their settled choice.
Shipping companies, especially during the period when the theoretical year has ended and students are looking for the necessary trips for their educational practice, obviously have to deal with a large number of interested parties.
The selection criteria for testing end examination of the tomorrow’s officer vary depending on the requirements and policies of each Shipping Company.
Obviously, they will have to go through an interview where their theoretical knowledge will be evaluated and they will be probably asked to answer some questionnaires.
In this way, the professional door of today’s students deck officers and engineers opens and the cadets are called upon to prove that they are capable of investing in their future by the Shipping Company and to be developed into a competent, modern and continuously trained officer who will sail these ultra-modern ships in a particularly demanding and competitive environment.
The other approach is that the cadet is selected by a shipping Company with a basic criterion if he/she comes from a public Nautical Academy where the salary he receives is subsidized by the state, fortunately happens in minimal cases.
However, when students are treated this way, that only students from public schools are hired due to salary subsidies, this is a reason for them to draw negative conclusions about their future in such an environment.
Young people are the future and they are still offering themselves to pursue a career in the maritime profession, in contrast to other countries that historically had seamen, but this is no longer the case.
Needless to say that if there are no more Greek officers on board the ships, seamanship will be lost, thus important personnel and valuable knowledge will no longer be transferred to the Shipping Companies’ offices.
It is a good idea to convey to young generation our love for the maritime profession and shipping industry.
Let us not forget that our homeland is a maritime country which lives from maritime profession, imports foreign exchange and offers the maximum profit to the national economy.
Therefore, this is the only way to continue in order to win more young people who love maritime and shipping professions, pursuing careers and maintaining this global leadership of ours in the future, even better than our predecessors.
By Capt. George A. Vlachos
Training Consultant at Cosmos Nautical Training Centre and Mediterranean Maritime Academy
