ETF Maritime Transport Section held its first Youth Conference

Representatives of the Seafarers' Union of Russia took an active part in the event.

The interaction of young transport workers from the trade unions of the EU countries and Russia has been going on for years. Together they run  socially important campaigns, undergo training in  practical skills in labor organization in summer schools, create PR campaigns to draw public attention to the problems of young professionals and discuss ways out of crises, which often mostly affect young people. For this purpose the European Transport Workers Federation (ETF) has a separate platform - the Youth Steering Committee, of which the SUR representatives are permanent members, that enables them to develop cooperation with colleagues from fraternal trade unions.

Youth issues are firmly on the international agenda of maritime trade unions and shipowners' associations. The reason for this was the growing shortage of maritime workers and the development of tools to attract young professionals. First, this requires continuous improvements in working conditions on board vessels: increasing the level of wages, reducing the terms of employment contracts, improving the living conditions, and much more.

On the other hand, it is necessary to change the very image of the shipping industry, making it more attractive to young people. One of the tools for this can be a turn towards “green” shipping. But, here the things are not so simple.

In 2021, a task force group, initiated by  the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), was established to ensure a fair transition to zero emissions. 

It is argued that by the mid-2030s, at least 750,000 seafarers will have to be retrained to deal with new types of fuel. “Seafarers  have a right to know that the fuel they work with is truly safe,” - ITF General Secretary Steve Cotton said.

Shipping of the future

It was ecology that formed the basis for the preparation and holding of the first maritime youth conference within the framework of the ETF. The participants of the event were seafarers, cadets and representatives of trade unions from different countries of the European continent. Members of the SUR Youth Council, representing many regions of our country, took an active part in the process.

In her welcoming speech, ETF General Secretary Livia Spera noted the importance of the topic under discussion and supported the youth in their desire to clarify the prospects that the shipping industry of the future has in store for them.

Odd Rune Malterud, a representative of the Norwegian Union of Marine Engineers, told to the conference participants about alternative types of fuel. He cited natural gas, hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, ethanol, biofuels, as well as batteries and fuel cells as options, and said the transition is more dependent on political willpower because the cost of refitting modern vessels is not affordable to everyone. “There should be tax incentives and concessions for those shipowners who are ready to transform to new environmental standards,” - the expert concluded.

Role of  trade unions

ITF representative Kulsoom Jeffrey shared with the audience the information about the work carried out by the International Transport Workers Federation in preparation for the transformation of the industry in accordance with the environmental requirements of the IMO, including its efforts to build effective interaction with associations of employers, relevant departments and international organizations. At the same time, as noted in the ITF, there are a number of problems: the slow introducing of necessary amendments to international treaties regulating the training of seafarers, the lack of lecturers and the shortage of officers. After all,  this particular technological expertise, along with the ability to operate automated systems, will definitely be in demand in the near future.

The participants of the conference were pleased to  plunged into the topic and talked to the speakers. Representatives of Liverpool John Moores University said that compliance with certain requirements, including power optimization, hull cleaning, and timely maintenance, will help a sustainable transition to green shipping. Also, they  noted the role of trade unions in this process. After all, each ITF/ETF member organization can formulate its own environmental policy based on the experience of its members, and then spread it beyond the borders of one country.

The conference organizers recalled that the topic of the first ETF Maritime Youth Conference coincided with the theme of the IMO Seafarer's Day 2023. “This year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of our main instrument for protecting the marine environment - the MARPOL Convention,” - IMO General Secretary Kitak Lim said . “The shipping industry is on the verge of a global transition to decarbonization, and seafarers are at the center of this process. The oceans are the lifeblood of our planet, and we will certainly do our best to protect it.”