Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his Department's statistical dataset entitled Seafarers in the UK Shipping Industry, published on 22 February 2024, what assessment he has made of the reasons for the annual increase in seafarers working regularly at sea on vessels owned by members of the UK Chamber of Shipping.

The increase in seafarers employed by UK Chamber of Shipping members in 2023 is driven by an increased number of Ratings and Uncertificated Officers. This trend can be affected by a number of factors, including new companies joining and leaving the UK Chamber of Shipping. In 2023, the increase in Ratings was driven by an increase in reporting by a single cruise company.