Joakim Albertsen was for a short period employed at Torghatten Nord. But he chose a career on a freighter instead of working on a ferry. – It was because the wages and working hours were much worse than on freighters and other boats. Because while wellboats are being built on an assembly line, with facilities on par with modern cruise ships, many of the ferries are old and in poor condition. – Why should you be on a ferry where you earn little – preferably a ferry from the 70s? Therefore, he does not envisage a return to a ferry company in the future. – No. In that case, the conditions must be the same as for other coastal shipping. On other boats, you get paid travel to and from work, and paid rest time. Over 200 cancellations in July news reported on Wednesday about Northern Norway’s busiest ferry connection, which had 82 canceled departures in July alone. But it is not only on the stretch between Bognes and Lødingen that the manpower shortage becomes apparent. On the Bognes – Skarberget connection, there were 34 canceled departures in July due to too few people. And on Drag – Kjøpsvik the figure is even higher. 69 departures have been canceled as a result of crew shortages. If you take into account the settings due to technical errors, the total number for the three connections is over 200. Managing director of Torghatten Nord, Torkild Torkildsen, told news on Wednesday that it has been extremely difficult to get hold of seafarers this year. – Much of what we are troubled by now is the typical tourist connections, where there is a lot of pressure in the summer. The reason is that there are many people who want to employ the same people, according to Torkildsen. Today, Thursday morning, two departures are scheduled on the connection Lødingen – Bognes, which according to the shipping company is due to technical problems. Think the aquaculture industry will win the seafarers Tor Husjord in Maritimt Forum believes that it is the aquaculture industry that will be the winner of the seafarers in the future. The industry predicted enormous growth in the coming years. Over the past 18 years, the wellboat industry has had an annual growth of 27 per cent. And by next year a further 20 boats will be delivered. – It is the market forces that rule. The aquaculture industry has good liquidity and is skilled at recruitment. They will perhaps become the winner of sailors in the future. It is money that counts for those who are employed. Tor Husjord is general manager of Maritime Forum Nord. Photo: Bente H. Johansen / news Together with Menon Economics, they have carried out an analysis which shows that around 6,500 seafarers work in the aquaculture industry. This makes up approximately one third of all seafarers. – That is approximately one third. We also know that the lion’s share of aquaculture growth occurs in Northern Norway, says Husjord. He believes that a good plan must now be put in place for how to recruit more seafarers into the industry, both in the short and long term. – The ferry companies must also show that willingness, because it costs money to recruit. Otherwise, you get several cases where you stand on a ferry berth and are told that there is a stop due to crew shortages. – It is almost a disaster that you have to experience it, says Husjord. Someone has to pick up the bill Johnny Hansen is leader of the Norwegian Seamen’s Association. He describes the situation for those traveling by ferry as “terrible”. – At the same time, I don’t think the shipping companies have planned this. It is also a difficult situation for the shipping companies when there is such pressure on the labor market. Summer is a holiday for ferry travelers. At the same time, holidays must be canceled for the seafarers who are employed. In addition, acute absences may occur. Johnny Hansen is a leader in the Norwegian Seamen’s Association. Photo: Norwegian Seamen’s Association – So within the existing tender criteria, illness should be taken into account. In addition, it is expensive for the shipping companies to have people on standby. – Then someone has to foot the bill, either the public sector or the passengers.
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– Working and pay conditions are much worse – news Nordland
