Columbia Group calls for overhaul of maritime training to safeguard shipping’s future

Columbia Group calls for overhaul of maritime training to safeguard shipping’s future
CIH August 6, 2025 https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/08/06/business/maritime/columbia-group-...

MARITIME education continues to address a growing shortage of qualified seafarers that threatens the future of the nation’s shipping industry. Despite Greece’s leading role in global shipping, a declining number of young people are choosing careers at sea, creating a shrinking talent pipeline for both ship operations and crucial shore-based roles.

Gregory Spourdalakis, managing director of Columbia Shipmanagement Greece, states that the seafarer shortage is “already happening.” He points to maritime academies using outdated equipment and curriculums that fail to keep pace with modern technology and regulations. Furthermore, he noted that maritime qualifications are often not seen as academically equivalent to traditional university degrees, deterring ambitious students.

While global labor markets currently fill the gaps, the decline in local seafarers could lead to a shortage of experienced professionals for shore-based management positions within a decade.

To address this, Columbia Group is actively engaging with students and graduates, promoting career paths both at sea and ashore through its trainee programs. The company is urging for coordinated action across the industry, including:

– Upgrading maritime education facilities and digital tools.
– Aligning curriculums with modern industry realities like decarbonization and automation.
– Raising the academic status of maritime qualifications.
– Promoting maritime career awareness in secondary schools.

Spourdalakis concluded, “Shipping is the backbone of the Greek and global economy... The time to act is now.”