UK-based maritime specialist Spinnaker says competition for operators in the Lion Republic with more than five years experience is intense.

“With numerous owner operators all fishing in the same pool, each is finding it tough to fill vacancies,” says Spinnaker’s Matt Cornelius.

“Thereare enough vacancies for each candidate five times over at the moment,” addsthe Singapore-based specialist in commercial shipping recruitment.

“Whenyou think about it, this isn't entirely surprising; Singapore's growth as amajor shipping hub over the last ten years was startlingly fast.

“There