Manning Agencies Recruitment Process in Tanzania: Challenges and Strategies

Abstract

The shortage of qualified seafarers has already been identified as a global issue that is more likely to worsen in the immediate future. Thus, increasing attention needs to be given to the challenges that recruitment process of qualified seafarers encounter in order to stabilize the flow of skilled crew to the global shipping industry. Therefore, the aim this paper is to discuss the challenges facing manning agencies in recruitment process which is one of the key emerging sources of crew supply to the global shipping industry and finally to propose some strategies for the solutions. This study used a descriptive and interpretive research design, employing both quantitative and qualitative techniques. Various data collection methods, including interviews, questionnaires, and document analysis, were used. Specifically, a case study research involving the DMI manning agency is used to highlight the challenges confronting the current recruitment process of Seafarers in Tanzania. With regards to recruitments it was found out that skills shortage, competition from other industries, document's validity as well as new technologies and regulations are pertinent issues that need to be addressed by manning agencies in Tanzania. This study recommends that the manning agencies should launch joint training programs with various maritime Institutes and Universities involved in the training of seafarers by investing in the acquisition of learning resources and equipment. This will enable manning agencies to obtain competent and qualified seafarers as will feed information to institutes on the market need hence training institutes to train with respect to the market needs.