Abstract: In order to reflect the overall development of Chinese seafarers in a more comprehensive, dynamic and systematic manner and promote their sound development, this paper presents the compilation of the Chinese Seafarers Development Index (CSDI), innovatively extracting huge seafarers data into a series of concise indices based on the authoritative data of China MSA from 2010 to 2014. Based on a brief introduction of the basic research background of CSDI and the status quo of Chinese seafarers’ development, the paper analyzes the theoretical and practical significance of CSDI, the basic connotation and components of CSDI as well as the basic rationale and key issues in compiling the CSDI. In accordance with index compiling objective and through a series of steps such as scientific design of the index system, data standardization by range normalization and minimization methods, weighting by 2-norm combination method and index generation, we have compiled the CSDI for the period of 20102014 and conclude that Chinese seafarer sector maintains an overall steady development in recent years, with Chinese Seamen Contingents growing fast and Chinese seafarers’ occupational environment recovering gradually from deterioration. Finally, policy proposals are put forward to improve the Chinese seafarers’ overall development.

Key words: Key words： seafarers&rsquo, development, the Chinese Seafarers Development Index, index compiling, 2-norm combination method, empirical study