Ahead of this week’s Crew Connect summit in Manila, Henrik Jensen, CEO of Danica Crewing Services, writes for Splash.
Reports of seafarers being exploited by unscrupulous crewing agents always cause outrage in the shipping world, and rightly so. No seafarer should have to pay commissions to agents who take advantage of their need for work. But if we really want to solve this problem, we must be honest about the wider issues that allow it to continue.
The uncomfortable truth is that not all seafarers are innocent victims. Some are complicit in the deception.
They pay agents to falsify their documents so that they appear more qualified or experienced than they really are.
Turning a blind eye to document fraud undermines the entire maritime profession
The crewing agency knows what the employer is looking for and tweaks the details to create the “ideal” candidate, manipulating CVs, service records, and certificates to fit the owner’s requirements. These falsifications create a false picture of competence that misleads shipowners and puts vessels, crews, and the marine environment at risk.
We must point fingers at seafarers who are faking their documents. They are not only committing a criminal act but also posing a significant risk to safety and the environment. An unqualified person onboard is not just endangering themselves but also their fellow crew members, the vessel, and potentially the environment if something goes wrong. There is no justification for this behaviour, and it must be called out for what it is.
We must also point fingers at authorities in certain countries who fail to prosecute such seafarers. Turning a blind eye to document fraud undermines the entire maritime profession. In too many cases, falsifying maritime documents is overlooked or treated as a minor infraction rather than a serious offence that endangers lives and the environment. This lack of enforcement sends the wrong message and allows the cycle to continue.
Yes, the pressures on seafarers are real. For many, a single contract at sea can transform their family’s financial situation. The temptation to accept a higher rank or better position, even without the proper qualifications, can be strong. But this does not excuse criminal behaviour or recklessness. Every seafarer must recognise that taking a shortcut puts lives at risk. With so much information now freely available online, it is possible to check the background of a vessel, its ownership, and its history before signing up. Spending a little time researching can save a lot of problems later.
At Danica, we take pride in operating transparently and responsibly. We never charge seafarers for placements, and we only work with reputable shipowners who share our values. But one company cannot solve this issue alone. Shipowners must carry out proper checks instead of seeking the cheapest or quickest solution. Regulators must enforce the law and hold both dishonest agents and seafarers accountable. And industry bodies must support initiatives that promote transparency and traceability in crewing practices.
Shipping is a challenging and demanding business. The safety of every voyage depends on the competence and honesty of those onboard. If we want to maintain trust in our industry, we must call out and eliminate practices that compromise safety. It is time to stop turning a blind eye. Those who falsify documents and those who allow them to go unpunished are both part of the problem, and both must be held accountable.
