Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Seafarers in the UK Shipping Industry: 2025 statistics published on 25 February 2025, what steps she is taking to increase the number of UK resident seafarer Ratings employed in the UK shipping industry.

The Department remains committed to increasing the number of UK resident seafarer ratings. Work includes implementing the recommendations from the Ratings Review, modernising training and considering the findings of the recently published SMarT Review and Seafarer Projections Report.

The increased numbers of seafarers active at sea noted in the Seafarers in the UK Shipping Industry: 2025 statistics has been driven primarily by growth among Ratings and Uncertificated Officers. Officials will continue to review where there are opportunities to grow ratings careers.