The recently published (September 2017) 'Seafarer Statistics in the EU - Statistical review (2015 data STCW-IS)' represents a snap-shot of the European labour market in terms of the number of seafarers holding valid certificates and endorsements in 2015. This is the second year in repect of which such data is available. As more data is collected in the coming years, this will make possible trend analysis that should hopefully contribute to a better understanding of the maritime labour fource in Europe