Determination of Parameters to Model Seafarers’ Supply in Latvia

Shortage of seafarers is important topic as maritime industry plays a key role for economy of the European Union. According to the latest assessment of economic value of shipping industry in 2012, the EU shipping industry is estimated to have directly contributed €56 billion to GDP, employed 590,000 people, and generated tax revenues of €6 billion. During recent years increasing attention is paid to the education and training of seafarers as the seafarers and their knowledge are essential to sustainable development of the maritime cluster, as indicated in the maritime strategy of European Union. Indicative estimates suggest there were almost 38,000 students/cadets in maritime academy – type training across the EU and Norway in 2012, a 11% increase from 2004. Understanding of current trends in the pool of seafarers is prerequisite for successful implementation of the strategy. Main obstacle for assessment of effectiveness is lack of possibilities to monitor contribution from maritime education institutions to current state of European seafarers’ pool. The aim of this article is to show parameters which should be taken into account to model seafarers’ supply in future. The parameters are discussed on the basis of information from the Seamen Registry of Maritime Administration of Latvia.