ICS Releases New Study on Seafarers and Digitalisation, Says Seafarers Won't Lose Jobs to Automation Yet

ICS: Seafarers Won't Lose Jobs to Automation Yet
2018-10-16 https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/ics-seafarers-won-t-lose-jobs...

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has released a new study on the potential effects of autonomous ships on the role of seafarers, indicating that there will be no shortage of jobs for seafarers, especially officers, in the next two decades.

The report, conducted by the Hamburg School of Business Administration, states: “If by 2025 very optimistically some 1,000 ships will be fully autonomous and some further 2,000 vessels semi-autonomous, this may possibly reduce demand for seafarers by 30,000 – 50,000. However, at the same time the need for highly skilled remote-operators, pilots of a new kind and riding gangs will be needed to keep ships operational.”

With an overall increase of the world fleet, at least the number of officers on board will remain stable. At the same time the number of “crew” on shore in supporting functions will increase, possibly significantly. This leaves valuable time to adapt training patterns and re-train experienced seafarers with digital competencies.

Many seafarers from developing countries may find it difficult to get work ashore in their home countries, states the report. Ratings rely on the remuneration they receive to support both their immediate and also extended families and therefore are extremely concerned that their jobs may disappear with automation. Many ratings join the profession following in the footsteps of their parents and grandparents and are therefore concerned that this career path may not become available for their offspring in the future.

Labor unions have voiced their concern. The February issue of The Nautilus Telegraph reported on the feedback that it had received from a survey of over 1,000 members from 21 unions within the Nautilus Federation. The majority of feedback suggested that automation was seen a threat to maritime professional’s jobs and that unmanned vessels presented a safety threat at sea. The study argued that the rush by manufacturers and maritime nations into investing capital and time into researching autonomous systems and digitalization for ships has meant that important social and human issues such as skills are being neglected.

A paper published by the International Transport Federation and the International Federation of Shipmasters’ Associations at MSC99 cited the risk of collision and unregulated activities. It indicated that over 80 percent of seafarers have voiced their anxiety about possible job losses.

The ICS report notes that this shows that automation is likely to face opposition from seafarers and their unions if introduced in a manner which focuses primarily on the rush to be first and cost cutting for the sake of cost cutting. It also highlights that gaining public acceptance may also be an issue which will influence the decisions made by lawmakers and regulators.

The relationship between seafarers and digitalization is anticipated to be one of the main topics for discussion during an International Labour Organization sectoral meeting on “Recruitment and Retention of Seafarers and the Promotion of Opportunities for Women Seafarers” to be held in Geneva in February 2019.

Separating Fact from Fiction: ICS Releases New Study on Seafarers and Digitalisation
News 17/10/2018 https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/separating-fact-from-fiction-ics-re...

download report (4.1 mb) here(http://www.ics-shipping.org/docs/default-source/resources/ics-study-on-s...

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has released a new study conducted by the Hamburg School of Business Administration (HSBA) on behalf of ICS, regarding the potential effects of autonomous ships on the role of seafarers and the global shipping industry.

In light of growing media interest and the diversity of expert opinions on the subject, the study seeks to separate fact from fiction. Commenting on its release, ICS Secretary General, Guy Platten said:

“The two-year IMO regulatory scoping exercise for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships is now well underway to determine how existing IMO instruments can be leveraged to ensure that autonomous ships are safe, secure, and environmentally sound.”

He added, “This a complex task, expected to impact several areas under IMO’s purview, and while it is recognised that clear opportunities might arise for the shipping industry which may not exist today, much more work must be done, particularly on the regulatory side and to address concerns about the impact of MASS on seafarers employed worldwide.”

With over 1.6 million seafarers currently estimated to serve on merchant ships trading internationally, the impact of MASS on seafarers requires thorough consideration going forward.

“Encouragingly, the study indicates that there will be no shortage of jobs for seafarers, especially officers, in the next two decades. While the size of crews may evolve in response to technological changes on board, there may also be considerable additional jobs ashore which require seafaring experience.”, Mr Platten explained.

The study commissioned by ICS includes an in-depth assessment of risk and opportunities of digitalisation in global logistics chains, as well as on digitalisation and automation in ship operations.

The findings of the study suggest that the role of personnel on board and ashore will need to be redefined both operationally and legally. Reviewing and understanding how these roles may evolve is also identified in the study as an important aspect to assess and address the impact of autonomous ships on the role of seafarers.

The relationship between seafarers and digitalisation is anticipated to be one of the main topics for discussion during an International Labour Organization sectoral meeting on ‘Recruitment and Retention of Seafarers and the Promotion of Opportunities for Women Seafarers’, to be held in Geneva in February 2019.
Source: ICS