Wallem has a new business just across the border from its Hong Kong headquarters. Wallem Maritime Services (Shenzhen) is licensed by the Shenzhen Maritime Safety Administration of China (MSA) to directly provide Chinese seafarers to vessels managed by Wallem Ship Management.

“Wallem is now the only foreign shipping company to 100% own a manning agency operation in China,” the company said in a release today.

Wallem already provides international clients with more than 65 vessels fully Chinese manned.

Wallem already has a well established training centre in Qingdao with a cadet programme in place.

Chinese seafarers are approximately 10% cheaper than Indians and Filipinos, a recent survey by sister title, SinoShip found.