Giant Danish container line AP Moller-Maersk is to recruit cadets from South Africa as it looks to secure a flow of seafarers for its ships.
Following an extensive review process, the country has been identified as a “high-potential” crew-sourcing destination for its fleet of 280 fully owned and operated vessels.
The group employs 12,500 seafarers, but will now consider cadets from South Africa’s National Seafarer Development Programme.
It is expected that the first new recruits will join ships in the second quarter.
The group believes the importance of having geographically diverse pools of seafarers was highlighted during the pandemic.
Maersk views South Africa as a natural choice due to its maritime legacy and the number of high-quality South African seafarers currently employed by the owner, many of whom hold senior positions.
Niels Bruus, head of marine human resources at Maersk, said the existing maritime infrastructure, vast population and English language capabilities make the country attractive.
“South Africa’s socio-demographic profile and living-cost index also lend itself to offshore employment,” he said.
The South African Maritime Training Academy (SAMTRA) was established in 2003 in Simons Town by the AP Moller-Maersk Foundation.
SAMTRA offers a range of simulation-based skills development courses and will manage the Maersk South Africa Cadet Programme.
Maersk also sponsors the STS Lawhill Maritime Centre, which offers nautical science, maritime economics and marine science courses.
The Danish owner was downgraded to “sell” from “buy” by Fearnley Securities this week despite record 2022 profits.
The investment bank believes that container ship earnings will be weaker over the next two years.
