otnmbrd wrote:

Not really. There are a good number of "reefers" and "break bulk" in
this size range still running about the world going to all the ports
those big box boats and ULCC's can't get near.

"Not really" what? Like I wrote, that 550 footer is probably in feeder
service, what used to be called "coasting" or "short sea trading." Ships
in the liner trades nearly all have crew sizes ranging from 11 to 30
with an average around 18.

MarAd has done several recent studies of manning levels and the results
are available on the net.

Unmanned enginerooms are common, though one man bridge watches are less
so, but growing in numbers.

A manned engine room is the exception these days except on older
vessels. Even our (US flag) steamships have gone from a 3-man watch to a
single engineer after 1700. The unlicensed engineer is a day worker.
Nearly all our motorboat enginerooms are unmanned after 1700 except for
maneuvering.

Rick