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

Study highlights need to upskill seafarers for shipping’s new landscape
14 Jun 2023 https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/study-highlights-need-to-upsk...

A study published by DNV and co-sponsored by the Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) stresses the need to improve seafarer skills related to digitalisation and decarbonisation

The future of Seafarers 2030: A decade of transformation, examines the key drivers transforming the maritime industry and their impact on ship management and seafarers. The research draws on a comprehensive methodology combining a literature review, expert consultations, and a survey of more than 500 seafarers responsible for operating dry bulk, tanker and container vessels globally.

Of the many forces shaping the future of maritime, decarbonisation and digitalisation were identified to have the most profound impact on the future of seafarers and ship management leading up to 2030.

As regulation drives shipowners and operators into embracing newer technologies on board and exploring the use of alternative fuels to comply with emissions laws, the handling of incoming fuels and technologies will require the crew to have additional skill sets and thus the need for comprehensive training.

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 (https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flink.m...)