Seafarers working for SCF will get a raise

The company has raised the salaries of all its merchant marine  specialists.

The increase in wages for seafarers of Sovcomflot Group took place on 1 September. This was announced by Vadim Tulchinsky, the head of Fleet Personal Management  Department of  Novorossiysk devision. “The salary for Officers has been  increased by 2-6%, for ratings  - by 8-13%,” - he said.

Moreover, according to the company,  in the near future they are going to increase the crew catering costs. This will be an additional tool for attracting seafarers under the current challenging working conditions. Thus, due to the risk of coronavirus infection, seafarers  are still deprived of the opportunity to go ashore in foreign ports, and crew changes are arranged via major Russian ports mainly.

Shipping companies around the world face the  shortage of seafarers. According to experts foreign countries experience the shortage of about 26 000 officers. On the contrary, in Russia  there is acute shortage of ratings.

To address a crew shortage, the Russian shipowner plans to launch his own training program for fitters (turner-welder). For those wishing to get this qualification the company will pay not only training, but accommodation as well, and even a scholarship.

-  Such specialists are really in short supply now,” Mr. Tulchinsky noted. – Therefore, we are constantly recruiting specialists who have practical skills and strive for stable and well-paid work in maritime fleet.

Let us add that the Sovcomflot Group is the leading Russian  shipping company  and one of the largest tanker owners in the world. It employs more than 6 0000 Russian seafarers. Following the western sanctions, the company switched  its fleet to shipping of Russian cargoes to the ports of Southeast Asia, India and the United Arab Emirates.

The Seafarers' Union of Russia emphasizes  that Sovcomflot is a long-standing social partner of the SUR. “The stable work of the company is a guarantee that the seafarers – SUR members are not in danger of losing their jobs with decent wages and working conditions in the near future,” SUR noted.