Decarbonising OSVs will require more than just investments in new technologies and low- and zero-carbon fuels; it will require people, too
An entire new generation of mariners will have to be attracted, trained and retained. Overlooking the role of the mariner in the green transition would be a crucial mistake for the industry.
This was made abundantly clear in initial research on the shipping sector, conducted by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS). “Hundreds of thousands of seafarers will need to have some kind of additional training for new fuels such as ammonia, hydrogen or methanol by 2050,” said ICS secretary general Guy Platten. A significant number of these mariners would be needed by 2030, he said, when the ambition is to have 5% of ships using zero- or low-carbon fuels. “This presents a challenge, as we already see several constraints when it comes to training seafarers, including a lack of skilled trainers, a lack of investment in technology within training institutions, and a lack of centres and facilities,” he said.
DNV is conducting a research study for the Just Transition Maritime Task Force, which was established by the ICS last year at COP26 in Glasgow. The study will quantify the scale of the challenge of upskilling and retraining the existing maritime workforce to handle new fuels and provide an overview of what this might entail for skills training and safety.
“Overlooking the role of the mariner in the green transition would be a crucial mistake for the industry”
Making his remarks at the IMO-UNEP-Norway Innovation Forum, held at IMO’s Headquarters in London, in recognition of World Maritime Day on 29 September, Mr Platten spoke of the need to have a “people-centred transition to a zero-carbon shipping sector.” Noting it was not sufficient just to talk about the ongoing R&D into building zero-emission vessels and investing in infrastructure, Mr Platten, a former seafarer, spoke passionately about the need to address the critical roles of mariners in the transition.
“Ensuring a people-centred transition means ensuring the safety and health of the maritime workforce,” he said. “There are a number of safety challenges relating to alternative fuels, including hydrogen and ammonia. These will need to be given due consideration and safety guidelines need to be developed alongside the new technology. We also need to consider creating new training programme standards and courses to suit our seafarers to handle low-carbon fuels and service zero-emission vessels safely,” he added.
Mr Platten emphasised that this people-centred approach must be inclusive and not just refer to one half of the population. He added: “Moving towards a more diverse workforce also represents a major opportunity for the sector.”
Those sentiments were echoed by fellow panellist Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou, WISTA president, who said a people-centred transition could be better achieved by focusing on diversity and gender parity. “We have many women in senior positions with training, education, experience, and energy to become an active part of this transition,” said Ms Theodosiou. “Women with talent and a new mindset could be brought into this transition debate to help speed it up,” she added.
“Sustainability is opening the doors for new ways of doing things and diversity is helping ensure we get the right people from all of society to take the chance, walk through the doors and influence the future in a positive way,” she concluded.
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