Top 5 Seafarer Supply Countries in the World

The global shipping industry depends on millions of seafarers who keep merchant vessels operating and international trade moving.

According to the BIMCO and International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Seafarer Workforce Report 2026, the world’s seafarer workforce has reached approximately 2.57 million STCW-certified seafarers, including more than 1 million officers and more than 1.5 million ratings.

Five countries stand out as the largest suppliers of seafarers, together accounting for 56.25% of the global workforce.

The Philippines remains the world’s largest seafarer-supplying country. It provides an estimated 203,179 officers and 256,968 ratings, giving the country the largest workforce among the five leading suppliers. Filipino seafarers also remain the leading nationality among STCW-certified crew members working aboard the global merchant fleet.

India ranks second, supplying 140,718 officers and 171,218 ratings. India has become an increasingly important source of maritime professionals, with its large pool of trained officers and ratings contributing significantly to international shipping.

China is third, with approximately 110,893 officers and 199,107 ratings. The country's enormous maritime industry and large seafaring population make it one of the most important sources of crew for the global merchant fleet. China also has the second-largest number of ratings among the five leading countries.

The Russian Federation ranks fourth, supplying approximately 85,816 officers and 153,541 ratings. Russian maritime professionals continue to form an important part of the international seafarer workforce, particularly in officer positions.

Indonesia completes the top five, with an estimated 72,304 officers and 110,940 ratings. As one of the world's major maritime nations, Indonesia has a substantial pool of workers supporting commercial shipping around the globe.

The report highlights how strongly concentrated the global seafarer workforce remains in a small number of countries. The Philippines, India, China, the Russian Federation, and Indonesia collectively provide more than half of the world's seafarers. Their contribution is particularly important as the shipping industry faces growing demand for qualified personnel.

The 2026 report also warns of a continuing shortage of officers. Global demand has risen substantially as the merchant fleet has expanded, and the industry is expected to require an additional 113,735 officers by 2030. This makes maritime education, training, recruitment, and retention increasingly important.

The leading seafarer-supplying nations therefore have a crucial role in the future of global shipping. Their maritime workers are not only vital to their national economies but also to the movement of goods and the functioning of international trade.