Shipping Companies will require an additional 42,500 officers by the end of 2021 to cope with expected growth in the main cargo carrying fleet, equivalent to 7% growth over the five year period. But the persistent shortage of marine crew is receding according to latest manning report published by Global Shipping Consultancy Drewry. Current officer supply is in the order of 615,000 and there is a nominal shortfall of approximately 15,000 officers, which is expected to remain the case until 2021.