Can African Seafarers and Shipping Companies Thrive Globally?

By Andrew Mwangura

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

The maritime industry is at a crossroads. A global shortage of qualified seafarers has pushed shipowners to look beyond traditional labor markets like the Philippines and India, with African nations emerging as a promising source of talent.

Countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Egypt are increasingly recognized for their potential to supply skilled seafarers. Yet, while some shipowners are embracing this shift, others remain hesitant, and the dream of low-income African countries establishing their own shipping companies faces significant hurdles.

The primary stumbling block—insufficient funding and poor infrastructure—compounds systemic challenges, limiting Africa’s ability to fully participate in the global maritime industry.

This editorial explores the willingness of shipowners to employ African seafarers and the barriers preventing low-income African nations from developing their own shipping industries, emphasizing the need for collaboration to unlock Africa’s maritime potential.

The global seafarer shortage is a pressing issue, with estimates suggesting a deficit of tens of thousands of qualified workers. This gap has prompted major shipping companies, like Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, to actively recruit from African countries.

Nations like Nigeria and Ghana are stepping up, with maritime academies producing trained officers and ratings.

Kenya, for instance, has forged government partnerships with shipping lines to create thousands of jobs in the blue economy, tapping into its youthful population.

South Africa and Egypt, with their established maritime sectors, are also positioning themselves as key players.

These developments signal a growing willingness among shipowners to hire African seafarers, driven by necessity and the recognition of Africa’s potential as a seafaring hub. However, this openness is not universal.

Some ship managers cling to traditional labor sources, wary of navigating unfamiliar recruitment landscapes. The preference for established markets like the Philippines stems from familiarity, streamlined hiring processes, and proven track records. For some, the transition to African seafarers feels risky, particularly when cost-cutting is a priority.

Lower-cost, less-skilled ratings from other regions often appeal to shipowners under financial pressure, sidelining African seafarers, particularly from countries like South Africa, where labor costs are higher. 

This hesitation reflects a broader challenge: the maritime industry’s slow adaptation to new labor pools, despite the clear need for diversity.

Compounding this issue is the risk of exploitation. Substandard shipowners, lured by the prospect of cheaper labor, may subject African seafarers to poor working conditions, unpaid wages, or even abandonment.

Reports of human rights abuses in the industry—robbery, deprivation, and unsafe ships—are a stark reminder of the need for robust regulatory oversight.

African seafarers, eager for opportunities, are particularly vulnerable to such practices. Ensuring fair treatment requires global cooperation, with international bodies like the International Maritime Organization setting stricter standards and African governments enforcing protections for their workers.

While the seafarer shortage creates opportunities, the barriers to low-income African countries establishing their own shipping companies are formidable.

The most significant obstacle is the lack of efficient, high-quality infrastructure—ports, roads, and rail systems—coupled with inadequate investment to develop and maintain it.

African ports, often plagued by congestion, outdated equipment, and bureaucratic inefficiencies, struggle to handle modern shipping demands. For example, delays at ports like Lagos or Mombasa increase costs and deter global shipping lines, making it nearly impossible for new African companies to compete.

Without reliable infrastructure, vessels face long turnaround times, eroding profitability and discouraging investment.

Funding is another critical barrier.

Establishing a shipping company requires substantial capital for vessels, technology, and operational costs. Low-income African nations, grappling with limited budgets and competing priorities like healthcare and education, struggle to secure such funds.

Foreign investment is often deterred by perceived risks, including political instability and weak regulatory frameworks. Moreover, the maritime sector demands skilled human resources, from ship captains to logistics managers, but weaknesses in basic education—particularly in mathematics and science—limit the pool of qualified professionals in many African countries.

This skills gap, combined with inefficient management systems, stifles the development of competitive shipping industries.

The consequences of these barriers are stark. High transport costs and operational inefficiencies prevent African countries from fully participating in global trade, despite the continent’s strategic position as a trading hub.

Africa’s maritime potential remains untapped, with many nations reliant on foreign shipping companies to move their goods. This dependency perpetuates economic vulnerabilities, as profits flow overseas and local economies miss out on job creation and revenue.

Addressing these challenges requires a collaborative effort. Governments must prioritize infrastructure development, streamlining port operations and investing in modern facilities.

Public-private partnerships can attract funding, with logistics providers, manufacturers, and shippers playing a key role. International organizations, such as the United Nations, can support sustainable systems by providing technical assistance and promoting equitable trade practices.

Consumers, too, have a role, as demand for ethically sourced products can pressure companies to invest in fair labor and infrastructure in Africa.

For African seafarers, the path forward involves expanding access to quality maritime training and advocating for global labor standards to prevent exploitation.

Countries like Kenya , Ghana and Nigeria are already taking steps, but scaling these efforts requires regional cooperation.

African nations could form alliances to share resources, harmonize regulations, and negotiate better terms with global shipping companies. Such collaboration could also pave the way for homegrown shipping industries, reducing reliance on foreign operators.

In conclusion, while many shipowners are increasingly open to hiring African seafarers, driven by global labor shortages, the transition is uneven, with challenges like exploitation and entrenched preferences for traditional markets.

Meanwhile, low-income African countries face a steep climb to establish their own shipping companies, hindered by inadequate infrastructure and funding. Unlocking Africa’s maritime potential demands a unified approach, with stakeholders—governments, private sectors, international bodies, and consumers—working together to build a robust, equitable maritime sector.

Only through such collaboration can Africa claim its rightful place in the global shipping industry, empowering its seafarers and economies alike.

The author is a policy analyst specializing in maritime governance and blue economy development GB