The supply of qualified seafarers is growing increasingly tight, with several factors contributing to the growing shortage, such as the effects of Covid-19 and geopolitical tensions. The shortfall has important implications for recruitment and retention as well as manning costs for shipping companies. Developing new source markets to address the shortage of qualified seafarers is key.
Published on 17 Oct 2023
Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) has opened a new Crew Service Centre (CSC) in Sri Lanka to grow its pool of seafarers and provide employment in the region. The opening ceremony took place in May this year at the new office space in Colombo. BSM Lanka is the latest branch that has been added to BSM’s CSC network. It will operate as a joint venture between the BSM CSC India network and Manaco Marine Pvt Ltd, a leading maritime crew recruitment company in Sri Lanka.
The CSC Lanka’s main objective is to grow its pool of seafarers by recruiting and managing seafarers from Sri Lanka, with the aim of employing them on a wide range of vessel types including container, tanker and bulk ships.
Capt. Sankalp Shukla, Managing Director of BSM CSC India, stated: “Our CSCs ensure clients have the most competent and professional crew managing their fleet. The relationship of BSM with Sri Lankan seafarers dates back to the early 1990s. With the opening of a CSC in the island country, we are underlining our continued commitment to developing a strong seafarer pool in Sri Lanka and to generating promising employment opportunities for its seafaring community.”
BSM owns 26 CSCs around the world to ensure highly competent, duly certified, experienced and medically fit seafarers are selected and recruited for placement on board BSM-managed ships. The CSCs play a key role by providing service and operational support to seafarers as well as clients. Through rigorous selection processes, periodic appraisals and career growth opportunities, BSM maintains and grows its excellent pool of dedicated seafarers and office personnel around the world.
BSM Lanka acts in line with the requirements of the MLC 2006 and ISO 9001-2015 Quality Management Standards to ensure the best possible support for seafarers and services for clients.
Capt. Sankalp Shukla
Managing Director of BSM CSC India
ContactCapt. Sankalp Shukla
Managing Director of BSM CSC India
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