Abstract:
This research study aims to examine the recruitment practices and preferences of
shipowners and manning agencies in Peninsular Malaysia, with a specific focus on the
hiring of local and foreign seafarers. The main objectives of the study are to compare
the number of local and foreign seafarers employed and to investigate the factors
influencing shipowners' preferences in the recruitment process. Data for the study was
collected through questionnaires conducted with shipowners. The collected data was
then analyzed using statistical techniques. The findings reveal that a majority of
shipowners in Peninsular Malaysia tend to hire a higher proportion of local seafarers
compared to foreign seafarers. However, this contradicts the Malaysian First Policy
outlined in the Malaysian Shipping Master Plan 2017-2022, which aims to have a 90%
Malaysian crew on Malaysian ships (Malaysia: A Maritime Nation, 2021). The
preferences of shipowners emphasize the importance of teamwork capability and
loyalty among seafarers, while also considering the nationality of seafarers to some
extent. Based on these findings, recommendations are proposed, including the
reimplementation of the Malaysian First Policy, offering financial incentives to
encourage the employment of more local seafarers, and enhancing the communication
skills of seafarers. These recommendations aim to improve the employability of local
seafarers and contribute to the overall growth and development of the maritime industry
in Malaysia.
