Seafarers Survey 2026: Dutch seafarers continue to decline
The Seafarers Survey 2026 shows that the total number of seafarers on the Dutch-flagged fleet has slightly increased, while the number of Dutch seafarers continues to decline. This continues a trend that has been visible for several years, namely that the total number of seafarers remains stable while the Dutch share continues to decrease.
In 2025, 22,969 seafarers were employed on the Dutch-flagged fleet (excluding the Government Shipping Company and the Pilot Service). In 2026, this number increased to 23,429. However, this growth does not include Dutch seafarers. Their number decreased from 5,158 in 2023 to 4,731 in 2026. Compared to 2025, in 2026 it was a decrease of 5.1%.
The decline is particularly visible among Dutch officers. In 2026, 2,678 Dutch officers were employed on Dutch-flagged ships, compared to 3,056 a year earlier. This is a worrying development because officers play a central role in the operation on board and often progress to higher positions at sea or later transition to positions ashore.
Aging increases the labor market challenge
In addition to the decline in numbers, the research shows a shift in age composition. The group of Dutch seafarers aged between 55 and 64 is growing, while younger age groups are becoming smaller. This increases the expected outflow of experienced seafarers, while the influx of new Dutch seafarers seems insufficient to fully compensate for this development.
This age composition is important for interpreting the figures. When relatively many seafarers are in the older age categories and the younger groups are becoming smaller, there is additional pressure on the replacement of experienced personnel in the long term. This is especially true for positions where training, seafaring time, and accumulated practical experience are necessary.
Enrollment in maritime education lags
The figures on maritime education are also in line with this picture. Research into Dutch maritime education shows that enrollment has decreased in recent years. In 2006, 621 students enrolled; in 2023, there were 495. The number of graduates also decreased.
Comparison with previous years makes the downward trend clearer. Around 2014, enrollment was still over 1,100 students. The current enrollment is significantly lower. Thus, the decline does not seem to stand alone but is part of a longer development in the growth of new Dutch seafarers. A lower enrollment does not immediately translate one-to-one into fleet numbers but can contribute to the further decrease of the Dutch share in the long term.
International labor market remains necessary
The decline in the number of Dutch seafarers is practically compensated by seafarers residing in other countries, both within and outside the EU. This confirms the importance of the international labor market for the Dutch-flagged fleet. Without this international employability, it would be more challenging to have enough qualified crew available.
At the same time, the research makes it clear that the international labor market does not completely remove the decline of Dutch seafarers as a point of attention. The availability of international seafarers is necessary for the daily operation of shipowners, but it does not change the underlying trend that the Dutch share in the crew is decreasing.
Therefore, the KVNR Seafarers Research 2026 requires a dual interpretation. On the one hand, it shows that the Dutch-flagged fleet can continue to operate due to the deployment of seafarers from both home and abroad. On the other hand, the research underscores that the influx, retention, and training of Dutch seafarers require ongoing attention.
Seafarers research confirms points of attention for policy and sector
The findings of the Seafarers Research 2026 align with the KVNR's focus on topics such as influx, training, retention of seafarers, and access to the international labor market. The figures show that these themes cannot be viewed in isolation. A declining number of Dutch seafarers, an older age composition, and lower educational enrollment reinforce each other in analyzing the future labor market.
The strength of the Dutch fleet lies precisely in its international character. By providing space for a wide range of nationalities, we not only increase the flexibility of shipowners in unexpected situations but also strengthen the resilience of the Dutch flag. Therefore, it is important to continue investing in an open and flexible labor market for seafarers, where safety, quality, and diversity go hand in hand.
Partly due to aging, the challenge of retaining young people in seafaring, and the current geopolitical situation, a rapid establishment of STCW I/10 agreements ensures that shipowners can continue to have well-trained international crew available in the short and medium term. Currently, countries such as Panama, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina are high on the Dutch shipowners' wish list to conclude an STCW I/10 agreement with.
In short, for the KVNR, the research results underscore the importance of a coherent approach: investing in the influx and training of Dutch seafarers, focusing on retention and career prospects, and ensuring access to well-qualified international seafarers. The KVNR Seafarers Research 2026 thus not only provides a current state of affairs but also a clear substantiation for further efforts to ensure a sufficient skilled crew for the Dutch-flagged fleet.
