[QUOTE=nickninevah;190016]Hi All,
I need some help. I am trying to create a simple tool to evaluate the economics for ship concept designs, including all the operating costs. One trouble area is the cost for crew. I know crew are generally the 2nd biggest cost for a ship, right behind bunkering. But I really struggle to find guides on number of crew required and compensation for those crew (salary plus benefits, travel costs, etc.). I have some guides from the USCG on manning requirements. But I don’t really trust them. And I really don’t trust my sources for crew compensation.
Does anyone know some information I can use? Point me to some sources or tell me your own experiences.
How many crew of each rating are required for your vessel? Please include what the ship type was and vessel tonnage (rough guess).
What was the cost of compensation? I would love if someone has a company pay scale they are willing to share. I will keep it anonymous. Or even tell me what your compensation is, if you are willing. (salary + benefits) And your license at the time that you got that pay.
If I get enough information, the goal is that for a given ship type and tonnage, I roughly predict the crew complement and crew costs.
Here is hoping for help from all you nice people.[/QUOTE]
Thank you for your interest in the topic. There is no simple tool applicable because every ship, route, trade, owner, flag is different. These things are no mystery for experienced ship owners, operators and managers.
They sit down with knowledge of the factors, make a crew list to support the actual operation on the actual ship in the actual trade, and make a spreadsheet that addresses the operation. It ain’t rockit science.
The start point is the number of certificated persons needed to operate underway, to maneuver, moor and unmoor the ship. Add in maintenance, cargo ops, special ops, feeding the crew and emergency team manning. It is pretty common sense stuff… Also for the cost per ship / position/ etc., factor in Number of watches per day, vacation or earned leave ratios, transport and about 15 separate recurring crew related costs. You can learn a bit about these costs by researching and reviewing ship management KPI standards, which exist.
Remember owner / operators are the ones that apply to flag for a safe manning doc, and usually it is pretty bare bones - lower than what is actually used in some cases.
As mentioned, some “crew” may be on the operator / managers books, and other working persons onboard are separately budgeted or related costs for them a considered a “non crew” accounting category. Depends on customer reqmt.
Hope this helps.