UK Chamber Of Shipping (UKCoS) wants companies under the tonnage tax system in the UK to be able to train merchant navy ratings.

Kenneth MacLeod, president of UKCoS, believes doing so could improve employment in the sector and he has written to the shipping minister about the proposals.

Mr MacLeod said: "Demand for quality UK ratings exists particularly in the offshore and ferry sectors, and the tools within tonnage tax remain the best mechanism available to widen training opportunities and meet this demand".

Tonnage tax, UKCoS argues, is vital in allowing UK shipping companies to compete internationally.

As part of the system, firms currently need to train one new officer cadet each year for every 15 officers employed - the chamber wants to enable companies to train three trainee navy ratings as another option.

Allowing companies to train more ratings would help meet demand for UK ratings - support staff on a ship - in the ferry and off-shore sectors, encouraging employment in shipping.

This was proposed "some years ago" in a joint push by UKCoS, Nautilus UK and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, but talks stalled.