Introduction
Competition in the international shipping market is increasingly fierce. When selecting and employing seafarers long-term, shipowners no longer just look at certificates and qualifications, but place greater emphasis on the comprehensive professional quality and modern technology adaptability of seafarers. For international shipowners, an excellent seafarer is not only an executor but also a key node for the safe, efficient, and energy-saving operation of the vessel. The management of modern large-scale, intelligent ships requires crew members to possess strong technical capabilities, rigorous professional ethics, good psychological quality, and international communication skills.
Technology
Firstly, technical ability remains the primary standard by which international shipowners measure the core value of seafarers. Modern ships are developing towards larger scale, automation, and intelligence. The complexity of ship systems is far beyond that of the traditional era of “manual operation”. The widespread application of new equipment such as electronic controlled main engines, integrated automation control systems, Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), ballast water treatment systems, exhaust gas cleaning systems (Scrubber), and Energy Efficiency Management Systems (EEMS) places unprecedented demands on the technical level of the crew. Shipowners most favor those seafarers who are not only proficient in operating ECDIS and familiar with the logic of main engine electronic control systems but can also accurately diagnose alarm causes, quickly complete emergency switching, and possess systematic maintenance capabilities for environmental protection equipment like ballast systems and oil water separators. They are the backbone for the smooth operation of modern ships. For marine engineers, true technical proficiency is reflected not just in being able to operate, but more importantly in the ability to solve problems independently. When equipment abnormalities occur during ocean voyages with limited shore-based support, the ability to independently judge and troubleshoot issues like main engine cooling failures, fuel viscosity control problems, or automatic control system failures based on professional knowledge and practical experience is key to testing marine engineering technical skills. Such individuals can often restore equipment to normal operation with minimal resource consumption, reducing losses from off-hire and delays. For navigating officers, while electronic navigation systems are advanced, true professional skill is reflected in the “manual capability” after a system failure – the ability to quickly revert to traditional navigation methods, using manual track plotting, terrestrial landmark positioning, compass correction, and other means to maintain precise ship position and maneuvering safety when radar, ARPA, or ECDIS unexpectedly fail. This ability is precisely the guarantee most trusted by shipowners. Technically proficient seafarers not only mean skilled operation but also represent a deep-level system understanding and comprehensive judgment ability. They are familiar with the logical relationships between the main engine and auxiliary equipment, understand how to optimize operating parameters for energy saving and emission reduction, and can adjust engine room operations and speed levels according to the ship’s actual load. This ability is directly related to fuel economy, equipment lifespan, and navigation safety, and is key for shipowners to control operating costs and improve ship management standards. It can be said that in the era of intelligent shipping, those seafarers with solid technical foundations, strong adaptability, and systematic thinking have already upgraded from “operational talents” to “managerial technical experts,” becoming valuable resources that international shipowners are most willing to trust and重用 long-term.
Discipline
Secondly, discipline and responsibility are qualities particularly valued by international shipowners. The modern shipping industry has entered an era of high standardization and information transparency, with extremely strict requirements for safety operations, environmental compliance, and reporting systems. Any operational negligence, failure to report data, or even delayed log submissions can lead to serious consequences such as PSC detentions, port state control detentions, and insurance claim rejections. For shipowners, this is not only a financial loss but also a risk to the company’s reputation and safety management system. Therefore, shipowners prefer to see a crew team that is self-disciplined, has strong execution capability, and maintains a rigorous attitude. They can strictly adhere to international regulations and the company’s SMS documents, maintaining procedural awareness and responsibility under any circumstances. Whether it’s filling out logbooks, recording oil operations, or discovering machinery or navigation anomalies during voyages, they can proactively report, accurately record, and handle situations promptly. This conscious professional attitude reflects a seafarer’s professional maturity and reliability. In ship management, shipowners often trust those who “don’t cause problems, and don’t hide problems” more. They will not create hidden dangers due to negligence, nor will they cover up issues due to fear of responsibility. Because of this, such crew members often become important supports for the Captain or Chief Engineer and build a good reputation in the eyes of shipowners. This professional spirit directly reflects whether a person is trustworthy and worthy of long-term employment. In multinational mixed crew teams, individuals with a high sense of responsibility and professional ethics are often more likely to receive superior recommendations, promotion opportunities, and more favorable contract conditions.
Language
Language ability occupies an extremely important position in the evaluation system of international shipowners and is a key indicator determining whether a seafarer can cooperate efficiently and perform duties independently in a multinational mixed fleet. On modern merchant ships, crew members often come from multiple countries such as the Philippines, India, Myanmar, China, Russia, Ukraine, and Eastern Europe. English has long become the sole working language. The ability to fluently use Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP), accurately understand instructions, precisely repeat orders, and clearly write reports not only reflects language ability but also represents professional quality and safety awareness. A seafarer who can use concise, standard English to communicate with pilots, dispatch centers, or other vessels via VHF can significantly reduce the risk of misunderstanding, ensuring navigation safety and operational efficiency. For navigating officers, language ability is directly related to navigation safety. The ability to correctly understand and execute the Captain’s or port dispatch’s instructions and to clearly report the navigation situation to the shipowner or management company in English is a basic skill for every professional navigating officer. For marine engineers, the ability to accurately describe equipment failures, write maintenance reports, or communicate remotely with shore-based engineers in English also reflects the international level of the profession. Good language expression skills make communication smoother, reducing delays and losses caused by misunderstandings or improper expression. Shipowners generally believe that seafarers who can express technical problems in fluent English have greater management potential than those who merely operate equipment. Furthermore, language ability reflects a person’s learning attitude and career aspirations. Seafarers proficient in English can usually understand new regulations faster, such as the latest amendments to ISM, MARPOL, SOLAS, and more easily learn the English manuals for new equipment, adapting to the work requirements of new intelligent ships. Many European and Japanese shipowners assess the crew’s English communication skills via telephone or video during interviews, evaluating not only spoken proficiency but also the logic of expression, politeness of tone, and on-the-spot reaction. This ability represents both communication efficiency and reflects confidence and professionalism. Precisely because of this, international shipowners are often willing to give crew members with strong English skills more responsibility, higher pay, and faster promotion opportunities, as they are the key force connecting ship and shore information and promoting multinational collaboration.
Safety
In terms of safety and environmental protection, shipowners particularly favor seafarers who think proactively and possess a high degree of risk awareness. Excellent crew members do not just mechanically execute orders; they can proactively identify potential hazards, analyze risks, and have the courage to propose improvement suggestions or operational optimization plans. This attitude embodies the “safety culture” advocated by modern shipping, emphasizing that every crew member is the first line of defense for risk prevention and control. Shipowners hope that crew members can remain vigilant in daily operations, pay attention to equipment operating status, environmental protection requirements, and operational norms, and can promptly correct deviations to prevent minor issues from escalating into major accidents. This risk awareness is even more critical in emergency management. Those crew members who fully engage in safety drills, report equipment abnormalities or emergencies immediately, and propose effective response plans not only demonstrate professional skills but also show a sense of responsibility and professional maturity. They can quickly assess the situation, take reasonable measures, and guide other crew members to collaborate in response, minimizing the risk of accidents and environmental pollution. Conversely, those crew members who only follow procedures rigidly, remain silent when issues arise, or adopt a “better to say less” attitude are often not重用 in modern international fleets because they lack initiative and judgment, potentially becoming hidden risks at critical moments. Shipowners understand well that safety and environmental protection do not rely solely on system constraints but depend on the active participation and risk awareness of every crew member. Seafarers with this positive attitude often gain more trust, assume more important positions, and become the talents that shipowners are most willing to cultivate and重用 long-term.
Learning
Furthermore, learning ability and awareness of technological updates are indispensable core qualities for modern seafarers. The shipping industry is at a crossroads of rapid change, where green energy, digital management, and intelligent ship technology are comprehensively reshaping traditional ship operation models. New IMO regulations are continuously introduced, from EEXI and CII energy efficiency indices to carbon emission verification (MRV), and the promotion of methanol, ammonia fuel, LNG power, and shore power systems, all requiring crew members to possess continuous learning and technological adaptation capabilities. What shipowners hope to see are not seafarers who “complete tasks by following procedures,” but professionals who can actively learn, dare to explore new systems, and possess a self-upgrading awareness. They can quickly understand system logic and master operational procedures when exposed to new equipment, and can independently complete parameter adjustments, alarm troubleshooting, and data analysis without the assistance of shore-based engineers. Such crew members know how to use ship performance monitoring systems, energy efficiency analysis software, or speed optimization tools, extract key indicators from real-time data, analyze fuel consumption trends and speed change patterns, and accordingly propose reasonable energy-saving navigation suggestions. This capability is far more than just “knowing computers”; it involves the ability to transform data into decision-making basis. In the era of intelligent shipping, seafarers with strong learning abilities mean the ship has higher operational resilience and safety margins. Shipowners generally believe that such seafarers can proactively promote technological innovation, reduce the risk of misoperation, and improve the ship’s energy efficiency performance, thereby creating more lasting economic and environmental value for the company. Therefore, continuous learning and actively adapting to new technologies have become key indicators for measuring the professional competitiveness of modern seafarers.
Collaboration
Team spirit and cross-cultural collaboration skills are highly valued indicators for international shipowners when evaluating the overall quality of seafarers. Modern merchant ships are typically crewed by seafarers from different countries and regions, where differences in language, religion, diet, and personality can all become potential points of friction. In such a relatively confined, harsh, and fast-paced working environment, the ability to maintain good communication and collaboration directly impacts the safety and operational efficiency of the vessel. Seafarers with a team-oriented mindset understand mutual consideration, respect others’ habits, and do not let personal emotions affect the collective atmosphere; they are good at listening, understand compromise, and can find common goals amidst differing opinions. This character and attitude make them not only reliable executors but also a “lubricant” that stabilizes interpersonal relationships on board. In multinational mixed-crew fleets, the ability for cross-cultural communication becomes even more critical. International shipowners particularly value seafarers who can express ideas in simple, clear English, avoid misunderstandings, and maintain respect. They understand the importance of team diversity, know how to find advantages in differences, and are skilled at motivating colleagues to complete tasks together. For senior officers, this ability is part of the art of leadership. An experienced captain or chief engineer must not only know how to command but also how to coordinate, motivate, and manage emotions, balancing all parties when conflicts arise to maintain onboard order and morale. International shipowners generally believe that crew members with this inclusive and leadership quality can stabilize the fleet, reduce personnel turnover, and, at critical moments, lead the entire crew to maintain execution capability and cohesion. Such seafarers are regarded as the true backbone worthy of long-term trust and focused cultivation.
Psychology
Psychological quality and stress resistance are fundamental factors determining whether a seafarer can perform maritime work long-term. The unique nature of the seafaring profession requires crew members to work for extended periods in isolated, confined environments, facing multiple pressures such as changing sea conditions, equipment failures, sudden emergencies, and prolonged separation from family. Those seafarers who can maintain emotional stability, clear thinking, and calmly handle problems in adversity are often the most reliable individuals in the entire team. Shipowners are well aware that although modern vessels are equipped with advanced technology, it is the mental state and psychological resilience of people that truly ensure safe navigation. Crew members with strong psychological resilience do not harbor resentment over minor inconveniences or misunderstandings, nor do they lose judgment under high-pressure conditions; they understand self-regulation, are adept at communication, and maintain a positive mindset through activities like reading, exercise, or study. This stable psychological trait is particularly important during long voyages or under severe weather conditions. When main engine failures occur, severe weather forces the ship to shelter, or external communications are interrupted, stress-resistant crew members do not panic but quickly get into gear, respond calmly, execute procedures, and reassure colleagues. They can influence others with their calmness and actions, helping the team maintain order and a sense of trust in tense environments. Shipowners generally believe that crew members with stable psychological qualities are key to reducing onboard accidents, avoiding conflicts, and ensuring operational compliance. Conversely, psychologically fragile or easily agitated crew members can not only affect team morale but may also lead to poor judgment at critical moments. Therefore, seafarers who can maintain self-discipline in solitude and remain optimistic and proactive in the face of difficulties are regarded by international shipowners as the “spiritual anchor,” the most valuable core strength in the ship management system, worthy of long-term cultivation.
Thinking
Digital thinking is gradually becoming an indispensable core competency for the new generation of seafarers. With the increasing intelligence of ships, modern shipowners are no longer satisfied with crew members who can only perform traditional operations; they increasingly favor talent who know how to use data to enhance management levels and decision-making efficiency. Currently, large ocean-going vessels are commonly equipped with Energy Efficiency Monitoring Systems, Shore Performance Monitoring platforms, E-Logbook systems, and IoT-based equipment health management systems. Shipowners expect crew members not only to input data correctly but also to understand the meaning behind the data, master basic data analysis skills such as operational trend analysis, fuel consumption monitoring, and main engine load management. Seafarers who can view ship operations with a digital mindset are often able to detect anomalies earlier, propose energy-saving suggestions, and help shipowners optimize voyage plans and maintenance cycles. This ability not only reflects the level of professional modernization but also indicates learning capability and innovative thinking. If crew members can skillfully use Excel, data visualization tools, or built-in system reporting functions to conduct correlation analysis of parameters such as speed, fuel consumption, draft, /waves, and main engine power, they can provide direct support for the ship’s energy efficiency management and CII rating. Shipowners particularly value crew members who can proactively use data to improve operations and optimize the coordination between speed and rudder angle, as such individuals represent the future direction of “smart shipping.” Furthermore, crew members with digital thinking find it easier to understand system logic and collaborate with shore-based engineers when dealing with remote maintenance, automated diagnostics, or AI-assisted decision-making, thereby enhancing the efficiency of integrated ship-shore management. It can be said that in the era of intelligent shipping, seafarers who know how to communicate in the language of data and manage ships with an information-based mindset are gradually becoming a scarce resource eagerly sought after by international shipowners.
Conclusion
In summary, the seafarers most recognized by international shipowners are well-rounded professionals with strict discipline, strong communication skills, a willingness to learn, digital thinking, and safety awareness. They are not only capable of operating the vessel but also of managing risks, optimizing energy efficiency, and motivating the team, making them the most trustworthy backbone of the maritime management system. Against the backdrop of the transformation and upgrading of the modern shipping industry, such seafarers are precisely the ideal candidates that international shipowners are willing to cultivate long-term, prioritize for employment, and entrust with higher positions and better待遇.
