Mainland Machinery Ltd

Why Canada is a Hub for World Mining Companies

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Why Canada is a Hub for World Mining CompaniesWhy Canada is a Hub for World Mining Companies

You cannot deny the ever increasing growth in the Canadian mining industry. At this moment, almost 80% of the world’s mining organizations are headquartered in Canada, making it one of the biggest mining hubs in the world.  Even despite massive investments in Africa from competitor countries like China, Canada remains the most dominant force in the African mining sector. More than 1300 firms carrying operations in Africa and Asia are Canadian-based, making the industry the biggest mining network in the world.

According to a Mining Exploration of Canada report, there are about 1200 exploration companies in the Vancouver area, while the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE) lists 58% of the world’s public mining companies. Vancouver is the top destination for mining exploration, with the top mining companies headquartered there. Toronto has become the global hub for mining financing, with the TSX and TSX Venture exchanges accounting for $12.5 billion, or 40% of global mining equity capital, according to the report.

 A few key points to know about Canada:

  • Exploration spending is at $3.9 billion
  • Mineral production is at $50.3 billion
  • Mining companies export $101.9 billion of mineral resources
  • The industry employed 320,000 people in 2011

The favorable investment conditions provided by the Toronto Stock Exchange, for investors and for mining entrepreneurs, is one of the primary reasons Canada is such a lucrative country for mining companies. Along with favorable tax regulations, the government provides financial assistance to the industry in the form of tax credits.

Another reason the mining sector of Canada is growing rapidly is the concentration of expertise in the resource industry. Being one of the oldest and most developed sectors in the world, Canada’s skilled workers range from geoscientists to miners, who operate advanced technology. This has largely facilitated the growth of domestic, as well as foreign mining industries, which are headquartered in Canada.

When talking about the massive growth of the Canadian mining industry, you cannot ignore the support and active role of the Government. The government has been active through financial incentives. Also, it has been facilitating trade agreements between countries to make it easier for Canadian mining companies to do business in resource-rich areas. Moreover, the government is providing equal opportunities to foreign mining firms; another very attractive factor for foreign mining companies to come to Canada.

In the last few years, the Canadian government has been working hard to reduce any political and economic risks taken by mining companies. They have done so by negotiating trade agreements and by building political capital in resource-rich countries, which allows exploration companies to invest in operations in these countries.

The strength of the Canadian mining industry lies in connected pillars:  reserves, prices, financing, exploration and capital investment.  With global resource prices rising, they help drive exploration and capital investment. This in turn leads to companies looking for suitable financing to back them. Government grants and funding in infrastructure help with mineral exploration, which increases opportunities for extraction.  

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Benefits of Arctic Shipping

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benefits of arctic shippingBenefits of Arctic Shipping

The Nordic Orion is a Danish owned bulk carrier. In 2013, they were the first bulk carrier to travel through the Northwest Passage. However, the large vessel relied on a durable icebreaker, which was the Canadian Coast Guard’s Louis St. Laurent. The Louis St. Laurent escorted the shipping vessel through the Arctic by making a path through the ice. Canada is currently undergoing a large debate surrounding the potential of increasing arctic shipping. Some cargo shippers are planning on increasing their trips through the Northwest Passage.

Arctic Shipping Study Findings

This debate stems from an article that was published in the journal Climate Change. Researchers, from Environment Canada and the University of Ottawa, studied the patterns of arctic shipping from 1990 to 2012. Their analysis concluded that there was an increase in shipping during the summer seasons for the past twenty years. Additionally, this increase boomed in the past 10 years.

Arctic Shipping Increase Due to Tourism

The main reason for the increases in arctic shipping is not due to resource development or major cargo transports, but from small increases in community resupply vessels and fishing shipments. The result of this study shows that the boom in arctic shipping is not necessarily from climate change, but is a result from an increase in Canadian tourism. More people are wanting to experience Canada’s landscapes and cultures, which is great news for Canada.

Increase Due to Climate Change

Some of the increase may be due to climate change. The group’s study found that the shipping season is getting increasingly longer, which includes transporting cargo. There were findings of considerable increases of shipping during the months of June and November. Those are the same months that show the biggest decrease in sea ice. The study that was conducted by the University of Ottawa showed some shipping increase is due to climate change, yet not as much as expected from them or from various climate change groups.

Canada Can Benefit from Arctic Shipping

People visiting Canada, construction, communities resupply and research exploration activities are the main reasons for the boom in arctic shipping. Also, an increase in cargo tankers, oil shipping and transportation of goods is expected. The increase will not only be from Canadian shippers, but also from international shippers from Russia and those heading to the EU.

There is some debate about the Northwest Passage being a Canadian owned or internationally owned waterway. Either way, it looks like Canada owns it right now. Plus, it creates career opportunities for Canadians. People are needed to police the marine corridors for ships that seem to unintentionally find their way into the Northwest Passage, instead of staying within their own corridor. Also, new icebreakers will need to be built to keep up with the increasing demand. The marine corridors will need to be maintained for safety reasons. This will be a positive investment for Canada, which is already generating a large variety of benefits.

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Canadian Mining Reducing its Environmental Impact

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Canadian Mining Reducing its Environmental ImpactCanadian Mining Reducing its Environmental Impact

Over the past few decades, the Canadian mining industry has grown significantly. Canada has emerged as one of the leading mining industries in the world. The mining industry plays an excellent role by helping to support the economy of the country. However, when you look at mining from a global perspective, it has consequently been a major threat to environmental safety. Several steps can be taken in order to reduce waste and environmental impact during mining operations.

Various initiatives are currently under progress. They are working to decrease waste rock. One of these initiatives is the rock selection process, which is still being tested by geo-scientists. Explosive-free breaking is another initiative option. If successful, this will enable mining operators to selectively choose the rocks they want to break. Then, they could safely break those chosen rocks away without risking collateral damage to the surrounding environment.

Mines that are located near water can do considerable harm to the surface water by polluting it. Although the mining companies do abide by federal laws, it still does not solve the issue completely. One example of this case is from the Northland Pyrite Mine located in Canada. The nearby fresh surface water is turning acidic due to mining activities, which occur on a regular basis. As a preventative measure, they could consider removing the water and storing it. Of course, the water should be immediately released once the mine is closed. This may prove to be an expensive measure. Unfortunately, some companies might have trouble affording it. In such cases, acid mine drainage can also be a viable option.

Also, there is the excessive consumption of energy and greenhouse gases. This stands as a leading issue, which is faced by the mining industry. In this regard, the efforts of CANMET-MMSL certainly deserve some positive recognition. CANMET-MMSL is a manufacturer in Canada that introduced the world’s first ever hybrid loader. The vehicle, which is currently in its testing phase, will operate underground and present a low energy solution to the mining industry. This technology has the potential to replace high energy consuming vehicles, which are currently used throughout the world for mining.

There are many organizations in the industry that are making great efforts towards creating advanced technologies, which can help decrease energy consumption in mining operations. Given its importance to the mining industry, Canada is not too far behind in this race and is making constant efforts to improve overall environmental safety.

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3D Printing for Metal Fabrication: Helpful?

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3D Printing for Metal Fabrication

3D Printing for Metal Fabrication: Helpful or Not?

The implementation of 3D printing has revolutionized modeling and prototyping for metal manufacturers. The 3D printers allow for rapid prototyping from AutoCAD designs, including custom components, which enable complex designs that are difficult to produce with conventional machining, molding or casting.

At first, 3D printers were used to create plastic models. This restricted its capabilities to only certain types of projects for sectors such as construction, consumer product design and engineering projects. They were primarily used to develop models for demonstration purposes. Unfortunately, 3D printers are found inadequate in heavy industries like mining and metal fabrication.

Restrictions linked to metal 3D printing

Although 3D printers simplify manufacturing and product conception, it is important to keep in mind that its technology is still restricted to working with liquefiable materials such as plastic and polystyrene. When considering materials like metal, the challenges significantly increase.

  • Consistency in finish: The widespread use of 3D metal printing, in the Canadian mining industry, has been delayed, because the proper finishing required for the final product remains inconsistent. Consistency with internal finishes is important for products such as engines, moving parts and gears. However, with 3D metal printers, this is difficult to achieve as most metal casts may have liquid or air passing through them at a high speed, which results in uneven interior surfaces that may lead to corrosion.
  • Achieving the required strengths to withstand stress: Products and tools that are used in the mining industry are consistently under high pressure and stress.  They must be reliable, without cracking, bending or breaking, after repeated use. However, certain metal alloys used in mining components are difficult to work with, because tool manufacturers require high production capacity at low cost.
  • High costs in producing simple machine parts: Large companies mainly use 3D metal printers for low-volume complex designs on the shop floor. Currently, mass-production of simple mechanical products is expensive in correlation to traditional mass-production techniques such as casting or welding.
  • Difficulties in working with certain metals: Creating components out of certain metals, like titanium, makes 3D metal printing laborious. Aside from the cost of titanium, the main drawback is that it is challenging to work with, because it has a tendency to harden during cutting and forming, which results in high tool wear.  Additionally, when welded, it weakens the welds if the proper precautions are not followed.
  • Technical challenges still need to be addressed: Various challenging areas have yet to be addressed such as faster build times, better quality prints, and easy to use CAD-CAM software. Unless these areas are improved upon, many manufacturers will become aware of the indirect costs of building components, through the use of 3D metal printers, being higher than that of traditional metal fabrication methods.

The 3D printing technology has made it possible to challenge the manufacturing processes of many industries such as medical, aerospace and consumer products; however, it has become relegated to niche components and products. In the mining industry, where components and tools must be strong, relatively simple and built in mass quantities, 3D metal printers will inevitably fall short in delivering the perceived benefits.

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Canada Marine Port Divestiture

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canada marine port divestitureStrengthening the Canadian Marine Ports Network

The country’s location is an asset for the Canadian marine ports. Canada has some of the most important gateways for bridging the gaps between consumer markets all around the world. The Canadian government is taking a number of measures to strengthen the marine port system of Canada. They are divesting the domestic and regional ports, so they can be easily operated by local companies.

Transport Canada is the central authority that is in charge of divesting and monitoring the operations of marine posts. The department has been playing an active role in transferring and divesting regional and local ports owned by the country. Early in 2014, Transport Canada proposed a plan (Economic Action Plan) to divest, maintain and monitor federally administered marine ports. The plan proposes to offer approximately $33 million dollars, which will facilitate the divestiture process of the Canadian federal ports. If executed successfully, the Economic Action Plan is definitely going to strengthen the Canadian marine ports network.

Funds will only be allotted to the recipients who meet the eligibility criteria set by the government. The applicant can be a member of provincial, local, municipal or regional government, or the applicant can be a representative of private/non-government organizations. Additionally, any individual with proof of legal entity can apply for this program.

The NASP (National Aerial Surveillance Program) is already keeping a watchful eye to make the marine ports networks are as secure as possible, yet the execution of Economic  Action Plan 2014 will further improve transportation security. Although the plan seems well structured and strategically feasible, will it really strengthen Canada’s marine industry?

  • The divestiture will facilitate maintaining and monitoring ports, because it will be easier to manage several small networks of marine ports, rather than maintaining a single large complex network.
  • The government will be installing aerial surveillance for ships, thus ensuring maximum port safety.

In order for Canada to maintain its competitive advantage as an exporter, there is a critical need to upgrade the ports and terminal infrastructure. This is essential to meet the evolving needs of shippers and trade.  To help meet these evolving needs, the Canadian government has pledged over $4 billion dollars to transportation projects in Ontario and Quebec. In the province of Quebec, the federal government has made efforts to modernize ports in Sept-Îles, Saguenay, Montreal, Trois-Rivières and Quebec City. The modernization has helped increase traffic on the Ontario-Quebec shipping corridor.

As one of the biggest and busiest port networks in the world, Canadian ports play a key role in facilitating trade and commerce through marine routes. Therefore, a secure and well-maintained integrated marine network is not only important for Canadian economy, but will also benefit other countries, which rely on Canadian ports for business. The successful divestiture of marine ports will help the government achieve all these goals.

Mainland Machinery Ltd

Predictive Mine Equipment Maintenance

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mine equipment maintenancePredictive Mine Equipment Maintenance

Mining equipment is built to withstand a lot of beating. It must carry tons of weight and be used under the most extreme environments and conditions, while being able to function without problems. The maintenance of mining equipment is challenging due to its remote locations. Mechanics must be proactive in their repairs by remaining one step ahead of any equipment maintenance requirements, because miners lose money when equipment breaks down. Failing to assess, determine or predict equipment reliability, or getting replacements on time, can be devastating to the organization.

Modern digital equipment has been developed, which can be used to take precise measurements of each different part and determine the current condition of the part. It is vital that equipment is measured regularly to determine if any worn parts may require replacement. To help predict the current condition of your equipment and prevent costly unscheduled downtime, these technologies provide miners with early warnings of any pending problems. This allows resources to be secured in advance, so that any problems can be addressed before the equipment fails.

Vibration monitoring

Vibration monitoring allows the engineers to measure precise amounts of wear occurring on the moving parts of equipment. This is done using sensors, which are specially designed to measure the vibration of large moving mining equipment such as bearings, gears and pumps. The data is displayed in real-time, in a data acquisition system and in a control room.

Additionally, the data is monitored by a vibration analyst for any warning signs that will indicate deteriorating health. This is highly efficient because mining machines are spread out over a wide area, making it difficult for the maintenance team to deal with them on a regular basis. From the results of the collected data, the team is able to troubleshoot any issues, and schedule needed repairs or maintenance, in advance.

Laser alignment of equipment parts

Laser shaft alignment helps reduce the energy expenditure of equipment that is joined together by shafts and couplings. Without proper alignment, the machines can develop a high vibration level, which can also cause more wear on bearings. This can lead the bearings, and eventually the machine, to fail. Having rotational equipment aligned removes many reasons equipment fails. Some benefits of proper alignment are:

  • Reducing vibration levels
  • Reducing shaft wear and probability of failure
  • Reducing power consumption

Besides minimizing the measuring time, the laser alignment tool helps monitor the vertical and horizontal position of each shaft as it is being adjusted. This tool saves time by reducing the amount of unnecessary corrections made and by allowing the maintenance team to be more proactive in their equipment maintenance.

Leading preventive maintenance solutions can do more than just save equipment. With greater access to equipment reliability data, maintenance teams in mines are able to make strategic decisions and be more proactive regarding equipment maintenance.

Mainland Machinery Ltd

Applying for A Mine Maintenance Career

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mine maintenanceConsiderations when applying for a mine maintenance career

A mine needs to run economically and safely if it is going to maintain a successful operation. It is a fast-moving business with unpredictable commodity prices, diminishing workforce and environmental concerns. A mining company needs good productivity from all their assets. This means that they must prevent breakdowns as much as possible. Unplanned downtime can lead to expensive repairs and replacements, which can result in slowed production, safety concerns and reduced profit margins. This is why having an experienced maintenance team is vital to help keep the mines running smoothly.

If mining maintenance interests you, here are a few things that you should consider:

  • Current understanding of technology. As part of the maintenance team, you will be provided with the tools to keep equipment running. You need to have insight, and data knowledge, to effectively keep all equipment intact and identify emerging mechanical problems. Also, you must be up to date on diagnostic equipment, which uses predictive maintenance software and sensors.
  • High risk of danger. Mining jobs come with high risk of danger that is mainly associated with the heavy mining and transportation equipment. On average, five to ten percent of people who work in the mining maintenance profession will experience serious injuries. While on the job, you must be prepared, both mentally and physically, for an unexpected accident.
  • Potential for long work hours. Since mining is an around the clock industry, you must be prepared to work irregular shifts. Although you are most likely to be employed on a normal eight hour shift, you must be prepared to put in longer hours if needed.
  • Passionate about the profession. Applying for a mining maintenance profession solely for financial gain and benefits would be a mistake. Not demonstrating an in-depth interest in the job could be problematic if you apply, because you would be prone to burning-out, and being unmotivated.

When applying for a position in mine maintenance, we recommend you follow these guidelines:

  • Tailor your resume for the position.  Ensuring your curriculum vitae (CV) is professional, showcases your experience, achievements and skillsets. You should do your best to understand what each individual company is looking for, so you can tailor your CV to meet their requirements and expectations.
  • Have a long-term career goal. It is crucial that you research the mining company that you wish to work for. Mining companies typically look for employees who have long-term career goals, because it shows dedication, perseverance and passion.
  • Earn experience. Without any experience, the chance of getting your desired position in the mining industry is low. What you can do to increase your chances is gain some experience through temporary work for smaller local companies. After gaining at least two years of entry-level experience, your application will stand out when applying with large mining companies.
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Replacing Marine Port Diesel with Renewable Energy Sources

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marine port dieselReplacing Marine Port Diesel with Renewable Energy Sources

Marine ports contribute to both water and air pollution. Although their impact has been well documented, their pollutants are mainly unregulated. Sources report that one container ship can emit almost the same amount of deadly chemicals as 50 million cars (The Guardian). Most of the cruise ships, cargo ships and tug boats are powered by diesel fuel that, unfortunately, affects the health of communities in coastal and inland regions around the world.

Gaps in the legislation have been publicly acknowledged by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. They have gone on record citing that certain matters need urgent attention such as the issues regarding pollution (Maritime and Coastguard Agency).

Marine Diesel – What it is and how it affects our wildlife

There are two types of diesel fuel: a petroleum based product and a low sulfur product. The type of diesel used for marine vessels is a combination of two basic types of marine fuels: distillate and residual. This combination fuel is classified by the environmental protection agency (EPA) as “Marine Diesel Fuel”, which is known as an “intermediate” fuel.

When spilled into the water, marine diesel fuel casts a thick film of dark color. After only days or weeks, it can become hard like asphalt on roads. Additionally, it is very toxic and has a dramatic effect upon wildlife when spilled into our waterways. Short term exposure has the capability to harm wildlife. For example, if sea otters or birds get the heavy oils on them, they may die from hypothermia, because they are unable to keep themselves warm. Animals can suffer from burns, eye irritations and lung damage caused by the inhalation of fumes (University California Davis).

Marine Diesel Alternatives:

Fuel Cells

Renewable energy researchers are excited to partner with the EPA. These researchers are working to develop alternative fuels, since there are more than 100 ports in the U.S. that are using diesel engine fuel. Currently, solutions, such as hybrid fuel cell systems, are being tested. This could increase operational efficiency, while simultaneously reducing polluting emissions. On top of that, noise would be dramatically reduced, because fuel cells are virtually silent.

Some ports have already been successful with alternative methods. One of the largest ports, the port of Los Angeles, has partnered with Vision Motors. The port of Los Angeles has adopted a plan to produce a zero emission heavy duty truck outfit. They have also incorporated the use of electric powered short haul tractors to further their innovation.

Tidal Energy

Tidal energy, or marine energy, is considered to be the most renewable and precious forms of green energy. Although it is a relatively expensive form of energy, we are seeing an increase of plants that are producing and improving it. Tidal energy varies in design. It is considered to have high potential, because it is a form of hydropower that is drawn from orbital characteristics. A tidal generator converts the energy of tidal flow into electricity. It has become apparent that once competition increases, the availability of tidal power may be sizably reduced.

Like the renewable energy researchers and the EPA, more partnerships will form as we move forward into the future.  As collaborative efforts continue, we hope there will be more reward for companies who support an ecofriendly future. In the meantime, our government agencies alongside passionate marine and wildlife organizations offer education and support.

Mainland Machinery Ltd

Big Data’s Benefits in the Oil and Gas Industry

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big dataBig Data’s Benefits in the Oil and Gas Industry

Big Data has become the new buzzword for the C-level suite. For many, the power of Big Data to help run their business, identify untapped opportunities and uncover new revenue streams faster than ever before, has them salivating. Big Data can be considered a cost-effective approach to dig deep in to the volume, speed and chaos of massive amounts of data.

Within this data lies valuable trends and information that was hidden because of the massive amount of work required to analyse it. This power has been available to leading corporations, such as Walmart or IBM, but at high expense. Today’s technology and software has brought Big Data processing costs down and have made it more accessible for the rest of the corporate world. This technology is now feasible for start-ups to oil exploration companies.

The value of Big Data to the oil and gas industry falls into the areas of analytics and enabling new opportunities in oil exploration. Big Data analytics can reveal insights such as geological data points, reserve management and mapping, previously hidden in data too costly to process. It has already been in use on most Abu Dhabi oil and gas fields, where Big Data solutions have been noted to create major benefits.

Mapping of Potential Drilling Locations for Crude

Until recently, technology linked to oil exploration was considered basic and at times made it no more than a guessing game. Big Data analysis has helped change the way oil exploration is conducted. Now, the data collected from the field can be entered into specialized software, which helps to analyse the data based on specific criteria, delivering more accurate results.

Today, sonar mapping, 3D and 4D mapping is being used in exploration, which results in the creation of more precise oil and gas field maps. These maps are also very helpful in identifying additional deposits of oil and gas, which may be trapped within the porous rock surrounding the reservoirs.

Geology and mineral exploration companies are also keen on discovering what lies below the surface of the ground. With nanotechnology allowing sensors to be miniaturized, it’s possible to collect data directly from wells or mine shafts. This data will be of great importance to geologists and mineral exploration companies who can create accurate maps of deposits, without needing to drill in search of the minerals. With Canada’s economy heavily dependent on the oil industry, collecting accurate data related to the different oil producing areas will help map the region for further exploration.

Improved Security During Oil Production Transport and Processing

The analysis of data can also help to improve the security of crude and gas production; be it the processing, transportation or marketing of oil and gas. Tracking pipeline data points over vast regions is made easier through the use of software that analyses factors such as weather, temperature, ground conditions, and pipeline infrastructure. Failing to meet any of the specified inputs results in security programs being triggered and require security personnel to look into the matter. Through the use of data analysis, human error is eliminated, resulting in more effective security solutions, at a much faster response time.

With the demand for oil and natural gas continuing to reach all-time highs, the need to adapt to new technology and improve production and processing is crucial. Besides the exploration, production and processing of oil and gas, analysing Big Data can also be used to improve the efficiency of oil and gas consumption. Automobiles and the logistics industry remain the biggest consumers of oil and gas products. Therefore, the technology should be used to help improve fuel efficiency, thus helping to reduce the pressure on oil production.

As demand for oil and gas products increase, the need to develop and use new technology to help improve fuel efficiency and reduce fuel consumption is critical. It’s also important to make sure each of the Canadian oil and gas wells produce the maximum amount possible and reduce the cost linked to drilling oil and gas.

Mainland Machinery Ltd

Maritime Labour Crisis

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maritime labour crisisMaritime Labour Crisis: Canada Marine Sector Facing Labour Shortage

Globally, there is a looming shortage of employees in the marine sector and Canada is not exempt. Canada alone requires around 10,000 new employees, which is just 2% of the global requirement within the next decade. Marine personnel are required to replace retiring captains, officers, marine port workers and engineers. The problem is that the number of students enrolling in marine courses are dropping.

This is a major concern, not only being experienced in Canada, but across the globe; as young professionals are opting for different occupations. One of the main reasons for not joining the marine profession is due to the long time out at sea.

Global trade is dependent on ships to transport bulk cargo over long distances. Therefore, the trillion-dollar shipping industry can’t come to a stop. Canadian shipping companies, government and all stakeholders have been working hard to encourage young professionals to take maritime courses and join the profession. In order to keep the industry moving, there are certain strategies that are being implemented.

Simplified and Easier Acceptance in to Marine Courses

To help encourage more candidates to join maritime courses, pre-requisites have been changed, as well as the requirements for graduation. With a large deficit of over 1,000 marine jobs needing to be filled each year and an insufficient average graduate rate of just over 200 mariners each year, serious steps must be taken. Since the majority of personnel required in the marine shipping industry are related to manual labour jobs, or deck-hands as they are better known, the passing marks for these candidates are being relaxed, allowing more deck-hands to pass.

Remove Limitations Linked to Continuing Education While Still Working

While working on marine vessels, most professionals will need to work up the ladder to achieve higher ranks. Most intend on being promoted, however, a major concern linked to marine courses was the limitation on continuing education, without needing to take a break from work. Even with distance learning, mariners do not have the time to study while at sea. To alleviate this, shipping companies will have to allow for further education while still on duty. This could be accomplished through better communications technology and standard hours set aside for coursework.

High Salaries and Benefits in the Maritime Industry

The maritime industry have some of the highest paying jobs. Furthermore, employers pay for food, transport and all other expenses linked to their employees during voyages. In addition to this, mariners receive a compulsory 16-week paid sick leave, meaning they only work for 8 to 9 months a year, yet are paid for 12 months. With mariner jobs paying between $110,000 and $130,000 to captains, engineers and officers, with a whopping $75,000 to deckhands, those who join the profession can expect to be well compensated in a very short time. These attractive benefits could help lure more candidates in to joining the maritime profession and need to be communicated to the general public.

Pay scales are also expected to increase in this industry, due to the global shortage being experienced. Many international shipping companies are prepared to pay extra to fill their vessels’ vacancies and maintain productivity.

To combat and overcome the maritime labour crisis expected in the next decade, it’s important that all stakeholders work together in educating the public and young professionals regarding the benefits and importance of the industry. Presently, it has been noted that mariners tend to hide the privileges they get from the profession, so as to maintain a monopoly in the industry.

This has slowly grown to be a major problem, which has resulted in the reduced number of professionals joining maritime courses. This in turn, has resulted in the current global mariner shortage.