Using System Dynamics to Improve the Marine Manpower of the Passenger Industry in Management Decisions

The Greek merchant fleet maintains a considerable proportion of the world shipping industry, being the largest one in the European Union. However, it needs competitive human resources management to achieve an efficient productivity. Nowadays, there is a quantitative and qualitative shortage of sea-going personnel, particularly in the highest ranks of the crew hierarchy. The picture becomes more dramatic since there are a very small number of new entries into the marine sector and the existing sea-manpower gradually abandons the seafaring profession. In this paper we attempt to define the variables which affect the quantity and quality of seafarers, then to present the elements that define the current trends of seafaring profession and finally to propose a system dynamics methodology for retaining the existing and qualified numbers of seamen, particularly in the passenger market.