Quarterly Americas Maritime & Shipping Update

As the year ends, the shipping and maritime recruitment sectors in the Americas region continue to thrive.

In this final edition of our 2024 newsletter, we aim to provide you with essential resources to help you succeed in the new year.

This includes valuable career advice from Matthew Barwell, Principal Recruitment Consultant in the Americas, and two important insights specifically for leadership professionals.

Read on...

View some of our hottest jobs in the Americas region

Boarding Agent

Houston, USA

Up to $70,000 per annum plus benefits

Apply Now

Electronic Technician

USA

Excellent salary plus OT, benefits & bonus

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Marketing Analyst

Houston, USA

Excellent employee benefits

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Line Operations, Senior Executive

Panamá

Competitive salary plus benefits

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Operations Manager

Panamá

Competitive salary plus benefits

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Hotel Superintendent

Miami, USA

From $100,000 per annum plus bonus & benefits

Apply Now

Vessel Operator

Atlanta, USA

Competitive base salary with excellent benefits

Apply Now

Customer Success Manager

Fort Lauderdale, USA

Excellent benefits

Apply Now

View Jobs In The United States of America Here

The Maritime Sales Employment Report 2024

Discover the latest salary trends in our comprehensive Maritime Sales Employment Report: Maritime Sales Employment Report 2024

The report reveals key trends such as:

• Retention rates are improving as job-seeking sentiments decline.
• Top reasons for job changes: compensation, career development, and company culture misalignment.
• Work-life balance, career progression, and company culture are crucial for retention.
• Flexible hours and remote work are deal-breakers for many.
• Compensation is vital, with 52% receiving pay rises in the last six months.
• Bonus schemes and sales commissions are on the rise, with notable growth in adoption across industries.

If you would like to discuss any of the topics in more detail, please contact the authors:?Mark Charman,?Adam Graves, and Lorenzo Agatiello.

Read The Maritime Sales Employment Report today

Don't Wait Until January To Start Your Job Search

A significant amount of hiring happens before the holidays.

Not being fully staffed on the 1st of January can mean managers lose the budget for the unfilled job(s) to another department or it can delay important work or projects.

If you look in December, there is less competition and there are motivated hiring managers who will be keen to get the recruitment process completed before the holidays.

January is our biggest month for job seekers, get in front of the curve and let us know you are starting your job search by registering your latest resume here.

Start applying for jobs today

Why HR Leaders in Maritime Think Hiring Will Be Tough in 2025

The maritime industry is facing an increasingly complex recruitment landscape, with 85% of HR leaders predicting that hiring the right people will be difficult in 2025 (The Talent Market in Transition Report 2024)

Here are the main 10 issues identified by HR leaders:

1. Skill Shortages: The demand for highly skilled professionals, particularly in technical areas such as naval architecture, engineering, and digital transformation, is outpacing the available talent pool.
2. Unrealistic Expectations from Candidates: As competition for top talent intensifies, many candidates have developed unrealistic expectations regarding salary, benefits, and work conditions.
3. Compensation & Benefits Not Competitive: Offering competitive compensation packages can be a struggle, especially compared to industries like technology or finance, where pay and benefits are often deemed more attractive.
4. Counteroffers: Counteroffers from current employers can derail recruitment efforts, with many candidates choosing to stay with their existing employer for a better deal rather than moving to a new company.
5. Unreliable Candidates: Unreliable candidates who pull out of the recruitment process or fail to show up for interviews add to recruitment delays and inefficiencies.
6. Recruitment Timelines: Long recruitment timelines often result in top candidates accepting offers elsewhere, especially in a competitive market.
7. Lack of Growth Opportunities: Many candidates are hesitant to join organisations that do not offer clear pathways for career development and growth.
8. Slow Internal Decision-Making: Delays in internal decision-making can frustrate candidates and lead to missed opportunities as they consider offers from other companies.
9. Lack of Employer Value Proposition (EVP): Organisations with a weak EVP struggle to attract top talent, as candidates look for companies that offer a strong sense of purpose, culture, and career growth.
10. Unrealistic Expectations from Hiring Managers: Organisations with a weak EVP struggle to attract top talent, as candidates look for companies that offer a strong sense of purpose, culture, and career growth.

If you’re a senior executive or HR leader in maritime, please read our full insight to find out our strategies to combat these hiring headaches.

Read The Full Insight Here

Matthew Barwell, Principal Consultant - Americas

Matthew Barwell is a Principal Recruitment Consultant for the Americas region at Faststream Recruitment. With many years of industry and recruitment experience, Matthew is an expert in his field. He has provided valuable advice, predictions, and insights into trends in the market.

As the year comes to an end, could you share some key trends in shore-based shipping recruitment across the Americas this year?

"There have been fewer seafarers looking to come shore-based in the US. I think that is partly driven by the increased cost of living and the fact that many salaries for shore-based roles are not increasing in line with inflation. For junior seafarers—like 3rd mates, 2nd mates, 3rd Assistant Engineers, and 2nd Assistant Engineers—the drop in salary has been too significant. They’re at a stage where they are likely saving for a mortgage and coming shore-based just isn’t financially viable.

Another trend has been the increase in structured recruitment processes. We’ve seen quite a few companies introducing additional steps like personality profiling and multiple interview tiers—sometimes a first interview, a second, a third, and even more. While companies want to, and rightly so, make the right hires, a drawn-out process can lead to losing the best candidates."

Are there any misconceptions candidates or employers tend to have about the recruitment process in the shipping sector?

"One misconception is that there are more remote roles out there than there are. Some companies are comfortable hiring remote workers, but many are still only hiring for office-based positions, or trying to get employees back into the office.

There is also a misunderstanding among seafarers about what shore-based jobs they can do based on their skill set. We discuss with seafarers the importance of their first shore-based job in shaping their long-term career goals. For example, moving into HSEQ can make it harder to transition into a commercial role later, and vice versa."

How do you foresee the shipping employment market evolving in the Americas next year?

"I think we’ll continue to see growth across the majority of maritime sectors in the US. There’s still huge potential in the offshore wind market, despite political uncertainties. Offshore wind will likely expand once the dust settles.

Technology will play a much bigger part in the sector, creating more opportunities for workers. The focus will be on digital transformation, sustainability, and automation, which aligns with global recruitment trends."

What advice would you give to shore-based shipping professionals preparing to make a career move in 2025?

"I’d advise professionals to plan for the long term and ensure their first shore-based role aligns with their career objectives. It is important to think about where opportunities are geographically and, if they can, to consider relocating to areas where they’ll have better prospects.

They should also have realistic salary expectations and understand how salaries can grow over time with shore-based experience. Staying flexible is key."

Please tell us something fun or interesting that others may not know about you.

"The last couple of years I have been working towards being a single-figure golfer, (currently 11.7 WHI), when I’m not busy recruiting or playing golf, I enjoy walking “Winter”, our Bedlington Whippet through the forest. Weekends are family time, spent outdoors as much as possible and coaching my son’s U11 soccer team."

Get in touch with Matthew Barwell today to discuss recruitment in the Americas region

The Power of Happiness in Maritime Leadership

In maritime and shipping, where every decision can have far-reaching consequences, it is easy to feel the weight of responsibility pressing down on us.

Some days, the seas are calm; on others, the storm clouds gather, and the obstacles seem insurmountable. Yet, through it all, one truth remains crucial: finding happiness in our roles, even on the toughest days, is not just important—it’s essential.

Why is this pursuit of happiness so vital, especially in an industry as demanding as ours?

• The ripple effect of a happy leader: When we, as leaders, are genuinely happy, we don’t just benefit ourselves—we create a ripple effect that touches every member of our team.
• Fostering a positive culture: The well-being of a leader sets the tone for the entire organization’s culture. When we navigate the tough days with a sense of joy and fulfilment, we model resilience and passion for our teams.
• The legacy of happiness: The impact of our leadership extends beyond the immediate team; it influences the entire organization and, ultimately, the industry.
• Leading with a smile: In the maritime and shipping industry, happiness in leadership is essential, as it directly impacts team morale and inspires others, especially during challenging times.

Explore the complete insight for a detailed explanation

Wrapping Up 2024 with Faststream Recruitment

As we conclude this edition of our newsletter and the year, we extend heartfelt gratitude to our cherished clients, candidates, and followers who have fuelled our success.

In a year marked by significant industry changes and many successful placements in the Americas, your steadfast support has been our greatest asset. As we reflect, we are incredibly thankful for the collaborative spirit that characterizes our community.

As we eagerly anticipate 2025, we are inspired by the opportunities ahead and committed to furthering our shared success.

Wishing you a joyous festive season and a prosperous New Year, we look forward to continuing this journey of achievements and growth together.

Meet the team

We are people specialists within the Maritime and Shipping industries in the Americas.

Thank you for taking the time to read this month's newsletter.

We hope you have found the information inside to be insightful and valuable. Please keep an eye out for our upcoming newsletter, where we will continue to provide you with engaging and informative content.