The Canadian Marine Careers Foundation (CMCF) has released the "Canadian Seafarers Pathway Study", a report revealing labour and skills shortages in the country’s marine transportation sector.
The study identifies a need to attract and train new talent, with domestic vessel operators needing to hire 8,300 new workers to meet industry demand and replace retirees by 2029 —the equivalent of more than 30 per cent of its current workforce.
“Canada’s marine sector is vital to the national economy, not only for its direct contributions but also for the many industries and communities that rely on efficient marine transportation of passengers and cargo,” said Julia Fields, Executive Director of the Canadian Marine Careers Foundation.
“Ongoing labour shortages onboard Canadian vessels threaten the sector’s future growth and sustainability, posing serious risks to supply chains and economic stability. Without immediate action, the marine sector's workforce challenges could have far-reaching consequences.”
Conducted by RA Malatest and Associates, the study provides national and regional analysis of workforce trends, recruitment and retention challenges, and examines the capacity of marine training institutions to meet future labour requirements.
The study focuses on marine occupations onboard Canada’s domestic commercial and public sector vessels, such as cargo ships, ferries, tugs and barges, tourism-related boats and Canadian Coast Guard vessels, but also occupations onshore that support vessel operations. It does not include port and terminal operations.
“Canada’s marine industry is facing a critical seafarer shortage that cannot be solved by maritime education and training institutions alone,” added Fabian Lambert, Chair of the Canadian Association of Maritime Training Institutes (CAMTI).
“The Canadian Seafarers Pathway Study brings to light the cumulative factors affecting sustainable supply and growth of the Canadian seafaring workforce, with meaningful strategic recommendations to meet future demand.
"We need a coordinated effort that includes greater government investment in marine education, more support for students, and meaningful commitments from industry to create inclusive and sustainable pathways for entry into the sector and career advancement. This study presents a call to action to secure the future of our marine workforce.”
According to the report, 86 per cent of employers report difficulty recruiting, with over 3,600 seafaring positions unfilled in 2024. The overall sector job vacancy rate of 11per cent was more than three times higher than the national average for the transportation and warehouse sector.
More than 8,300 new workers will be needed in the next five years; with more than half (56 per cent) of those required for key marine positions onboard vessels such as navigation and engineering officers and ratings deck and engine crew.
At current enrolment and graduation rates, marine training institutions will only meet 40 per cent of the demand for those key marine positions.