Call for better marine cadet safeguarding

That’s according to The Hood, a social media and digital platform for the maritime industry, which said that without urgent reforms in marine recruitment and training, the maritime sector risks losing a vital pipeline of future talent.

“The seafaring industry is becoming a narrower tunnel and one that rarely gains attention unless it is catastrophic,” said Josephine Le, founder and managing director of The Hood.

“As an industry, we have a duty of care to our people, especially those on the front line at sea and those just starting their journey.”

Addressing exploitation

Research reveals that cadets face mounting challenges completing their training due to a severe shortage of onboard placements, leaving many vulnerable to exploitation in pursuit of required sea time.

According to the Institute for Human Rights and Business, 31% of seafarers are asked to pay recruitment fees, exposing cadets to potential abuse by unregulated agents and officials.

To address this, The Hood is introducing a more transparent system to track marine recruitment activity and improve marine training conditions.

Under the system, only licensed recruiters and certified employers with valid MLC documentation can access job listings, boosting trust and accountability.

The initiative aims to improve marine safety by protecting cadets and reinforcing standards in marine apprenticeships.

It also supports broader efforts to improve marine training pipelines, ensuring young seafarers are not deterred from entering the industry due to systemic barriers or misconduct.

Learn more or sign up at The Hood.