From the Taipei Times tomorrow:

Aging crews on ferry services to outlying islands could soon be a problem if they cannot find people to succeed them after they retire, maritime experts said. The nation has 26 ferry services to outlying islands, which are operated by 70 captains, Port and Maritime Bureau statistics showed. The average age of these captains is 52. On some ferry routes, captains are still operating ships even after they turn 80, the bureau said.

https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/10/12/2003807585

CalMac ferry crew are required to retire at 65 with a good pension guaranteed by the Scottish Government.

CalMac has plans to avert staff shortages in the future. See this from the Ross-shire Journal on 8 March 2023:

CalMac has now opened their recruitment drive to find Scotland’s best seagoing apprentice candidates. CalMac are looking for the most dedicated and enthusiastic 17 to 24–year–olds, who have a genuine passion for starting an exciting maritime career.

CalMac is a recognised leader of seagoing apprenticeships, named by the Merchant Navy Training Board as one of the top five UK companies for maritime apprentice schemes. More than 150 young people have trained through the scheme since it was set up in 2013. 

https://www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk/news/calmac-apprenticeship-scheme-is-now-open-for-applications-305964/

Taiwan’s GDP to invest in ferries and other things – $1.3 trillion.

Scotland’s GDP – $205 billion.