International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) have launched a comprehensive survey of the world’s supply and demand of seafarers, developing its format and content to meet the changing needs of the industry.

BIMCO and ICS are preparing the Seafarer Workforce Report 2026, which aims to provide estimates of the global supply and demand for seafarers. It has traditionally been prepared every five years since 1990 and is the trusted source of information on the global situation related to seafarer training and ship’s crewing.

The Questionnaire for Companies aims to collect information for BIMCO and ICS to use in the preparation of the Seafarer Workforce Report 2026, specifically on operational crewing levels, the nationalities of seafarers, trends in the recruitment and retention of seafarers, identification of any shortages of seafarers qualified to serve in certain capacities or ship types, and other challenges that companies may be facing related to the training of seafarers and manning of their ships.

This questionnaire concerns the seafarers on board the ships operated by the company.

IMO’s Secretary General has enthusiastically supported this project and will make a mention about the survey in his opening statement at the upcoming 11th session of the Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers.

There will also be an article on IMO’s website and the circulation of an informative Circular Letter which will contain links and information on how to access the surveys.

Link for the survey can be found on BIMCO website.