The number of Korean seafarers has been declining for 12 consecutive years, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' "2026 Korean Seafarer Statistics Yearbook." As of the end of 2025, there were 27,372 employed Korean seafarers, with only 25,188 actually working on vessels and 2,184 in reserve.
The decline in Korean seafarers has been ongoing since 2012. In 2018, there were still 34,751 employed Korean seafarers, but this number dropped to 34,123 in 2019, 33,565 in 2020, 32,510 in 2021, and 31,867 in 2022. In 2023, the number barely held above 30,000 at 30,587, but fell to 28,731 in 2024 and further decreased to 27,372 last year. This represents a reduction of 7,379 seafarers, or 21.2%, over the past seven years.
As the number of Korean seafarers declines, foreign seafarers are filling the gap. Last year, out of a total of 60,543 employed seafarers, 33,171 were foreign, accounting for 54.8%. In contrast, Korean seafarers made up only 45.2% with 27,372, meaning there were 5,799 more foreign seafarers than Koreans.
Just a few years ago, the situation was reversed. In 2021, Korean seafarers comprised 54.3% of the total, while foreign seafarers accounted for 45.7%. This trend has shifted, with the proportion of Korean seafarers dropping to 53.0% in 2022, 50.1% in 2023, 47.0% in 2024, and 45.2% last year. Meanwhile, the share of foreign seafarers rose from 45.7% to 54.8% during the same period, highlighting a clear trend of foreign seafarers filling the void left by their Korean counterparts.
Aging among Korean seafarers is also a growing concern. Last year, there were 8,461 seafarers in their 60s and 3,541 aged 70 and older, totaling 12,002 seafarers over 60, which is 43.8% of the total. More than four in ten Korean seafarers are now over 60.
In contrast, the number of younger seafarers is relatively small. Last year, there were only 1,108 Korean seafarers under 25 and 2,854 between 25 and 30, totaling just 3,962 seafarers under 30, which is only 14.5% of the total. The number of seafarers over 60 is three times that of those under 30.
Another significant issue is the decline in skilled personnel. The number of Korean seafarers with over 15 years of experience dropped from 18,171 in 2018 to 13,569 last year, a decrease of 4,602, or 25.3%. Similarly, those with 10 to 15 years of experience fell from 5,848 to 3,766, a 35.6% decline.
Experts warn that the ongoing decrease and aging of Korean seafarers could impact the stable supply of key maritime personnel, such as captains and chief engineers, who require extensive experience and skill.
The maritime industry does not separate its workforce between sea and land. Many seafarers gain experience as navigators and engineers on ships before transitioning to land-based roles in shipping companies and port-related organizations. A weakened onboard workforce could ultimately narrow the pool of skilled professionals in the domestic shipping industry.
Several factors contribute to the decline of Korean seafarers. The nature of the job, which requires long periods away from home, inevitably leads to disconnection from family and society. Additionally, the long working hours and limited rest compared to land-based jobs are seen as burdensome. In the past, relatively high wages compensated for the inconveniences of long-term sea duty, but as the wage gap with land jobs has narrowed, the attractiveness of seafaring has diminished.
There is also a growing trend among younger generations to prioritize work-life balance. Many who obtain maritime licenses find it more appealing to gain experience for a limited time before moving to land-based jobs rather than committing to long-term sea duty. This highlights the importance of creating an environment that encourages new recruits to remain at sea and develop into skilled personnel.
To address these issues, experts suggest shortening onboard duty periods, expanding vacation time, improving living conditions onboard, and enhancing wages and benefits. Additionally, establishing a career path that allows seafaring experience to transition naturally into land-based shipping jobs is crucial. There is a growing call for policies that encourage young seafarers to commit long-term, especially since skilled mariners like captains and chief engineers cannot be trained quickly.
A shipping industry representative stated, "While training new seafarers is important, if those who are trained leave the sea after just a few years, it will be difficult to resolve the manpower shortage. We need to continuously improve working conditions, such as duty periods, vacation time, and onboard living environments, to enhance the appeal of the seafaring profession itself."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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