Economic Contribution of Tanzanian Seafarers Working Abroad: Exploratory Evidence on Remittances, Household Welfare, and Blue Economy Linkages

Abstract

Maritime labour mobility remains an under-examined dimension of Blue Economy development in emerging maritime economies. This paper examines the economic contribution of Tanzanian seafarers working abroad on foreign vessels by combining a survey-consistent, scenario-based remittance estimation framework with exploratory primary survey evidence and institutionally grounded policy analysis. Using a mixed-methods design, the study integrates secondary labour- market and regulatory evidence with descriptive analysis of questionnaire responses from Tanzanian seafarers. The findings indicate regular remittance behaviour, support for household welfare, consumption smoothing, savings mobilisation, domestic investment, skills acquisition, and strong interest in Blue Economy-related enterprise. However, the study also identifies structural constraints, including weak formal recruitment systems, limited labour-market information, certification and employability costs, and underdeveloped mechanisms for skills reintegration and investment support. Given the absence of comprehensive national data, the remittance estimates are presented as indicative planning ranges rather than population-level measures, suggesting a modest but non-trivial development resource rather than a major macroeconomic driver. The paper concludes that Tanzania’s main policy challenge is institutional and calls for stronger recruitment governance, improved labour-market information systems, reduced certification barriers, better skills reintegration arrangements, seafarer- focused financial and investment support, and improved national data systems. It therefore offers an exploratory but policy-relevant framework for linking maritime labour mobility to remittances, productive reinvestment, inclusive development, and Blue Economy transformation.

Keywords

References