Danish shipping giant Maersk plans to reflag UK vessels and end training
of cadets in advance of Britain leaving the European Union in March, maritime
trade union Nautilus said.
of cadets in advance of Britain leaving the European Union in March, maritime
trade union Nautilus said.
As informed, the company decided to take its remaining vessels off the
UK Ship Register, exit the UK Tonnage Tax and end the training of UK cadets.
UK Ship Register, exit the UK Tonnage Tax and end the training of UK cadets.
This decision “will have a serious impact on seafarers jobs and
the stability of the UK industry”, Nautilus has warned.
the stability of the UK industry”, Nautilus has warned.
Europe’s largest shipping company is following in the footsteps of ferry
and logistics company P&O which last week announced it was
reflagging all its short sea vessels to Cyprus due to Brexit uncertainty and
the desire for its ships to be flagged in an EU member state.
and logistics company P&O which last week announced it was
reflagging all its short sea vessels to Cyprus due to Brexit uncertainty and
the desire for its ships to be flagged in an EU member state.
According to Nautilus, Maersk has confirmed it will stop taking in
cadets from the UK, following a decrease in demand for junior officers, as it
moves to a different manning structure and model.
cadets from the UK, following a decrease in demand for junior officers, as it
moves to a different manning structure and model.
Although all current cadets will have their training completed to allow
them to gain their Certificate of Competence, the news adds to the pressure on
the future for UK seafarers, already under threat as the nation moves closer to
exit from the EU at the end of March, Nautilus said.
them to gain their Certificate of Competence, the news adds to the pressure on
the future for UK seafarers, already under threat as the nation moves closer to
exit from the EU at the end of March, Nautilus said.
Over a number of years, the UK’s shipping industry has suffered a huge
drop in domestic seafarers – from more than 66,000 in 1977 to just 23,000 today.
drop in domestic seafarers – from more than 66,000 in 1977 to just 23,000 today.
The trade union is warning that the continuing decline in the number of British
seafarers and vessels is putting the nation’s economic security at risk
and could leave it dependent on
other countries for many essential goods and services.
seafarers and vessels is putting the nation’s economic security at risk
and could leave it dependent on
other countries for many essential goods and services.
“The news coming out of Maersk is deeply concerning for the future of
the UK maritime industry, especially in light of the recent announcement from
P&O and rumours that CMA-CGM is also set to leave the UK register,” Mark
Dickinson, Nautilus general secretary, commented.
the UK maritime industry, especially in light of the recent announcement from
P&O and rumours that CMA-CGM is also set to leave the UK register,” Mark
Dickinson, Nautilus general secretary, commented.
“Brexit has already put UK seafarer certificates at risk and the ongoing
uncertainty is forcing the hand of large businesses — it has created a perfect
storm, threatening the current and future employment of UK-based workers,” he
added.
uncertainty is forcing the hand of large businesses — it has created a perfect
storm, threatening the current and future employment of UK-based workers,” he
added.
Nautilus will offer support to the cadets affected by Maersk’s
discontinuation of its program, however, the union believes that the government
and the industry should also help curb the decline.
discontinuation of its program, however, the union believes that the government
and the industry should also help curb the decline.
World Maritime News.
