Global trade, energy security, food supply, and crisis resilience depend highly on shipping. About 90% of world trade is transported by sea, supported by a workforce of over 2.5 million seafarers on up to 74,000 vessels. Without shipping, national economies and societies cannot function, let alone thrive. Seafarers are key workers who underpin national prosperity and global stability by facilitating the movement of over 12 billion tons of cargo and well over 30 million ocean-going passengers annually. Yet their role remains largely invisible in political decision-making outside maritime ministries.
Extracted from the full Seafarer Workforce Report 2026, this Executive Summary provides the key findings of the global seafarer workforce supply and demand situation.
Today, at the International Chamber of Shipping’s Annual General Meeting, John Denholm CBE was elected as the new Chairman of ICS. This video explains who John his and what his vision is for ICS.
The Seafarer Workforce Report is the industry standard resource for those seeking the market intelligence needed to develop crewing and training strategies fit for the future.
This Guidelines on the Application of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention Fifth Edition prepares shipowners, operators and managers for the 2025 amendments to the MLC, translating complex requirements into clear, practical guidance that works on board and ashore. It supports better living and working conditions for the 1.5 million seafarers who keep global trade moving, while helping companies demonstrate compliance during inspections and audits.
These guidelines have been produced to help shipping companies choose reputable crewing agencies and to ensure that seafarers are recruited in line with the requirements of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC, 2006).
Drawing inspiration from an array of company policies and complementary initiatives, ICS and its global network of shipowners and operators present this set of industry principles for establishing effective measures to combat violence and harassment.