A Norwegian company has developed a system that more than halves ship and rig owners’ recruitment costs for maritime and offshore personnel.

Kristiansand-based OffshoreCrew has developed an online recruitment tool that effectively removes the need for expensive staffing and recruitment agencies.

OffshoreCrew’s founder, Javier Zahn, a former crew manager with Siem Offshore, has spent the past two years developing the e-Crew system, which aims to simplify the recruitment processes for those who work in the crewing or HR departments of maritime and offshore companies.

With e-Crew, it does not matter if a shipowner or a rig operator receives 1,000 applicants for a position. The system is specially designed for the offshore and maritime industries, with a tailored search engine that filters candidates based on experience, disciplines, courses and certificates.

“This allows offshore companies to easily find a 100 percent match for the specific offshore competence and experience required for the specific job – without the cost-driving involvement of external staffing or recruitment agencies, which utilise ineffective recruitment methods – from both a candidate and client perspective,” says Javier Zahn.

Zahn founded OffshoreCrew in late 2013, when he experienced this inefficiency as crew manager in Siem Offshore. He quit this job with an ambition to develop a more cost-effective system. He has also held a similar role with Subsea7.

Zahn is also concerned about the many mariners and offshore workers who have lost their jobs in recent years. An important objective with e-Crew has therefore been to make it as easy as possible to connect available personnel with shipowners and offshore companies who may require people urgently.

And it has worked. More than 11,000 qualified candidates have already registered with OffshoreCrew. The company’s client list includes several major Norwegian shipowners, including Atlantic Offshore, Siem Offshore, the J. J. Ugland Companies, Eidesvik Offshore, Wilhelmsen Ship Management, DOF, Farstad Shipping, Solstad Offshore, Rem Offshore, Maersk og Viking Supply Ships.

“In today’s demanding market, everyone needs to contribute towards reducing costs. Recruitment and staffing agencies’ approach is hopelessly outdated and expensive. I believe offshore companies have been waiting for a solution which saves them a substantial amount of money and time,” adds Zahn.

e-Crew is accessible 24/7 from PC, mobile phone and tablets, for both ship and rig owners as well as potential candidates.

Tags: OffshoreCrew