Technology and the human factor on a just road to net zero

During the panel discussion, the speakers delved into appealing concepts regarding the maritime industry’s energy transition travel towards achieving net zero. Namely, the speakers presented and analyzed the following interesting trends and ideas, regarding a just transition:

Human and environmental sustainability

I think one of the key challenges is that we’ve looked at it from such a macro level for so long, but we look at it as many ships and we don’t necessarily look at it as the micro level of what are the tasks what are the people going to be doing that will change with this transition.

… said Captain Jaquelyn Burton, Head of Creative Design at Kongsberg Maritime. She also explained that focus also needs to shift on how seafarers will use alternative fuels and new technologies (such as AI, battery systems, machine learning and data processing), that are expected to alter their position and tasks.

However, Sandra Welch, CEO of Seafarers Hospital Society, pointed out that the transition also provides the industry with the opportunity to think about meeting the needs of a global workforce.

According to Sandra Welch, this fact had already been facilitating a shift by many organizations towards the implementation of environmental social and governance (ESG) standards, which is a positive outcome.

She also pointed out that there’s an opportunity to use AI and other technological advancements to reduce the number of hours that seafarers are working, and also reduce the fatigue which has long-term health impacts on seafarers.

Questionable safety standards and training

Another aspect Jaquelyn Burton put on the table was how the transition affects seafarers’ safety, which needs to be taken into consideration.

The seafarer needs to read, understand, and absorb what blue and green ammonia are. What is e-methanol and bio-methanol, not just methanol? There is going to be new machinery on board for maintenance, which the same set of 20 people on board need to do.

… supplied Captain Pradeep Chawla, CEO and Founder of Maritime Knowledge Ltd and Chairman of GlobalMET. He also pointed out that new software is going to be tested onboard and seafarers will also have to deal with these digital advancements.

Yrhen Bernard Sabanal Balinis, IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassador and Chair at Royal Institute of Navigation- Younger Members’ Group, made the interesting point that the younger and future generations of seafarers should also be included in the discussions.

We often forget that in these dialogues we should also include the future generations. They want to be involved in the negotiation tables, they want to be relevan,t they want to be active stakeholders, more than passive actors where their future is spoon-fed and shove down to their throats

… stated Yrhen Bernard Sabanal Balinis. This idea is particularly important considering that the industry is facing very low manning levels. Consequently, recruiting and retaining seafarers is at the top of many agendas.

Captain Pradeep Chawla also expressed the opinion that the industry’s dropping manning levels are an issue that needs to be tackled for it to enable crews to safely and effectively implement new fuels and technologies onboard.

The training requirements are going to change and no doubt focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). STEM education will be more important than ever in places like India where there is already a focus on that

… added Helio Vicente, Director of Employment Affairs at the International Chamber of Shipping

Captain Pradeep Chawla went on to say that there are three main safety risks regarding new fuels that should be taught in courses:

• Hazards of the fuel itself
• Hazards and technology of alternative fuel bunkering facilities
• Dual fuel engines technology and hazards

The importance of leadership and soft skills

Another subject that came up was training and the STCW revisions. Namely, Captain Pradeep Chawla stated that soft skills, automation skills, and interaction with different teams in different countries, will hopefully be added to the competencies of the revised STCW Convention.

We will also need to move away from on a human factor side to safety 2.0 which is basically to let’s start looking at the ecosystem in which decision making is happening on the ship

… he commented, adding that more soft skills and leadership skills are needed. For instance, because the master is changing away from being an expert on everything on a ship to being more of a manager of the ship with a lot of input coming in. In order for the master to deal with all this, soft skills are crucial.

Similarly, regarding the important role of soft skills, Helio Vicente pointed towards the importance of psychological safety onboard, stating that having the comfort to be at work and to share views without feeling embarrassed or rejection fosters an environment where everybody’s input matters.

Good communication abilities are essential. The ability to communicate effectively, especially in multinational crews, and the ability to ask for help are essential

… agreed Sandra Welch, calling for robust frameworks that actually promote a culture of care.

The issue of cost

Investments in new ships that utilize new technologies is affected by surging borrowing costs, a gloomy economic outlook, and the regulatory uncertainties

… supplied Yrhen Bernard Sabanal Balinis

According to the panellists, cost is an important factor that influences both the implementation and uptake of new technologies, as well as proper training.

I do think as well that a key issue that we are facing is about cost and who is going to be responsible for meeting those costs they are going to be a number of costs that need to be met

… agreed Sandra Welch

However, panellists expressed the idea that costs can turn into opportunities. They argued that while costs may initially seem like a burden, they can spur innovation and drive businesses to find more efficient solutions.

The question of fuel dominance

Captain Pradeep Chawla introduced the subject of alternative fuel options which the industry eyes in on its effort to decarbonize. According to Captain Pradeep Chawla, it remains to be seen which fuel is currently going to win the contest.

Then we have methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, etc., but as you dig deeper into each one of them, we all know that they are different stages of learning the possibilities of which one is going to win, so there is no clear front runner at the moment.

… said Captain Pradeep Chawla

LNG is an intermediate solution, but it is still a fossil fuel, therefore it will not be popular in the long run, he explained.

There’s also the dark horse in the stable, which is nuclear, which people don’t like to talk about right now, but give it 10 years, and maybe we’ll be talking about it.

… Captain Pradeep Chawla added.

Collaboration

Finally, all speakers on the panel agreed that collaboration is key if the maritime industry wants to decarbonize and achieve a just transition. They also emphasized the importance of working together to develop innovative solutions and share best practices across the industry.

Additionally, they highlighted the need for governments, businesses, and organizations to collaborate in setting clear frameworks and targets that promote a just transition.