A new feature launched on The Hood’s digital platform aims to tackle illegal recruitment practices in the maritime industry by cutting off unlicensed crewing agents from direct access to seafarers.
The CareerHub feature connects verified seafarers with licensed and MLC-compliant employers. The system is designed to prevent exploitation through fake job offers and illegal placement fees, practices that continue to affect large numbers of jobseekers in the sector.
“These are not just unethical practices. They are illegal. Yet they persist,” said Josephine Le, Founder and Managing Director of The Hood.
“Cadets are particularly at risk. They are promised a future at sea but are forced to pay for access to a job that may never materialise.”
“These recruitment scams are one of the industry’s worst kept secrets. They thrive in silence and informality. The only way to end them is through transparency, accountability and zero tolerance.”
Only authorised companies are permitted to post vacancies on the CareerHub platform, with each listing traceable to a named user. Seafarers receive updates on their application status, reducing opportunities for manipulation, while a reporting function allows users to flag suspicious behaviour.
Any employer or agent breaching the rules can be permanently removed.
