Young people’s interest in the shipping industry remains strong, with the main challenge not a lack of interest but limited access to information and opportunities, according to the first global survey conducted by the YES Forum, presented during the Posidonia international shipping exhibition as part of the YES to Shipping Forum 2026.
In developed maritime economies, young people are primarily drawn to shipping out of a passion for the sea and vessels. In developing economies, financial incentives and career advancement prospects dominate. Greece combines both dynamics, as young respondents cite both career opportunities (62%) and connection to maritime tradition (60%) as key motivations.
The study also showed that countries which systematically integrate shipping into education, such as the Philippines and Ethiopia, record higher levels of youth interest in the sector, particularly in seafaring careers.
The findings are considered particularly relevant for Greece, where a maritime education course developed by the YES Forum has been introduced in public and private schools since September 2025, with measurable outcomes expected in the coming period.
At the same time, 42% of respondents consider it difficult to enter the sector or believe they lack the required skills.
However, the industry perspective differs, with 63.8% of employers positively assessing young entrants into shipping, highlighting communication skills, adaptability and professional ethics as the most important qualities in candidates.
The report concluded that the issue is not the quality of young talent, but rather timely and effective access to information and opportunities.
Greece’s strong performance in connecting youth with shipping is highlighted as a key competitive advantage, supported by YES Forum initiatives since 2014.
Specifically, the report noted 51% participation in career fairs (compared with 17% globally), with more than 1,500 interviews annually, participation of around 40 companies and an average of 150 attendees per YES Forum event.
It also recorded 47% participation in open days (versus 8% internationally), with over 130 events organised to date, and 31% participation in mentoring programmes (versus 20% globally), resulting in 175 mentoring pairs created through the initiative.
These figures underline that systematic engagement between young people and the shipping industry delivers tangible results.
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