Study highlights need to upskill seafarers for shipping’s new landscape

81% of seafarers surveyed indicated they require either partial or complete training to effectively work with the advanced technology that will be present on board future ships.

Similarly, more than 75% of the respondents expressed a requirement for partial or complete training on new fuel types like LNG, batteries or synthetic fuels. 

The study records the training deficit rose to 87% of survey respondents for emerging fuels such as ammonia, hydrogen and methanol. 

Seafarers also face threats from further automation of components and systems on board, thus the need to consider remote shore monitoring in the future. 

At the launch of the study at the recently concluded Nor-Shipping conference, DNV regional manager southeast Asia, Pacific and India, Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria, said it is “essential” that shipowners and managers understand the new challenges presented by the coming wave of digitalisation, automation and the energy transition. 

“Proper training and industry collaboration will be imperative to ensure seafarers are equipped with the competence and skills to operate ships using new fuels and technologies in a safe and efficient manner. Upskilling seafarers will not only enable them to execute additional monitoring and maintenance tasks on board but can also be leveraged upon to improve attraction and retention in the industry.” 

SMF chairman Hor Weng Yew added, “It is essential we begin by understanding where the competency gaps are, areas of training most needed, and then work as an industry to equip seagoing professionals with the transition and future skills needed to safely and effectively operate the new-fuelled types of ships that are coming into service.”

Following the research results, the study recommends seafarer training to be prioritised for fuels that are most likely to be predominant in the current decade, capitalising on the ease of accessibility and range of modern training methods to improve skill deficits.

The study also found career advancement and development opportunities for seafarers will improve with the trend towards decarbonisation and digitalisation, complemented by the expected prevalence of complementary shore-based roles in the future. 

The report can be accessed in full here.

Riviera’s two-day Maritime Decarbonisation, Europe: Conference, Awards & Exhibition 2023 returns to Amsterdam on 26-27 September 2023, seeking to bring clarity to regulatory directions and decarbonisation pathways for both newbuilds and existing vessels