The shipping industry is run by people and for people. Thus, the main element in shipping is the -human element- - the mariners at all levels. Since the human element aboard vessels - being in and coping with a very special environment - is the crucial point of every transport chain, it is important to take a closer look at maritime human resource management issues which are scarcely tackled in scientific literature. This book deals with topics such as the criminalization of seafarers, piracy as part of shipping companies' risk management, corporate social responsibility and human error in shipping."