Scarcity of shipbuilding workers in Korea

According to a study published on October 23 by the Korea Maritime and Shipbuilding Association (KOSHIPA), the country\'s shipping and shipping industry needs about 135 thousand workers by 2027. Accordingly, within 5 years In the coming time, this industry needs an additional 43,000 workers in the context of record high shipbuilding orders to maintain competitiveness.

As of July 2022, the number of shipbuilding workers stood at 92,394, down more than half from the 2014 peak. Before that, the local shipbuilding industry in Korea peaked at 203,441. employment in 2014.

Specifically, in 8 years, the number of design and research workers decreased by 46.7%, while the number of production workers decreased by 58.3%.

The decline was largely due to large-scale layoffs in response to the persistent drop in orders that took place over the past 5-6 years. In addition, the shortage of manpower at many local shipyards is aggravated as many engineers find new job opportunities at many foreign shipyards.

The consequence of the shortage of human resources will reduce the competitiveness of shipbuilders in the context of constantly increasing orders.

Global orders for LNG carriers hit a new quarter high of 299.86 million gross tonnage (CGT) January-March, according to global market research unit Clarkson Research Service, following political tensions. between Russia and Ukraine.

South Korea\'s shipyards account for more than 90% of global orders for LNG carriers. In addition, local shipyards also recorded an increase in orders from foreign ship owners this year.

Specifically, KSOE, a subsidiary of global shipbuilding conglomerate Hyundai Heavy Industries Holdings, won an order to build 87 ships worth $10.08 billion, or 57.8% of its sales target. annual revenue of 17.44 billion USD.

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., the world\'s 4th shipyard by order, also completed an order of 18 ships worth $4.18 billion, reaching 47% of this year\'s order target (8.9). billion USD).

This is the first time in seven years that Korean shipbuilders topped the number of new global orders in the first quarter. Following, Chinese shipbuilders ranked second with 3.86 million CGT, accounting for 42% of the world total.

In the context of a shortage of shipbuilding workers, the Korean government has announced a visa program with simpler requirements to attract foreign engineers. According to Yonhap, South Korean shipbuilders have no choice but to employ foreign workers as a labor shortage disrupts production amid record ship orders.

According to Hong Thao (according to KBS, Yonhap), Vnexpress