As a dynamic industry, the maritime environment undergoes continuous transformation, demanding evolution in all fronts. During the last CAREER4SEA Forum, speakers of a dedicated panel focused on the industry’s key challenges and top priorities, emphasizing that while decarbonization is a crucial concern, it shouldn’t overshadow other important issues on the agenda.
The panel was moderated by Sandra Psychogiou, Editor In Chief, SAFETY4SEA, and included the following experts: Panagiotis Kourkoumelis, Training and Development Manager, Kyklades Maritime Corporation; Ross Millar, Loss Prevention Associate, Steamship Insurance Management Services Limited; Lennart Ripke, Director Sales, Green Jakobsen and; Capt. Yves Vandenborn, Head of Loss Prevention Asia-Pacific, NorthStandard who addressed the emerging trends within our industry and how they impact the maritime workforce.
Panagiotis Kourkoumelis initiated the discussion by highlighting sustainability and technological advancements as the present challenges, while also emphasizing the enduring importance of safety within the industry. “The year 2030 is fast approaching. At this juncture, we find ourselves grappling with uncertainties surrounding maritime decarbonization and the emergence of new technologies. It’s a challenging endeavor to anticipate future technological landscapes. Moreover, this uncertainty poses a significant challenge in terms of training,” he remarked. In that regard, it is important to focus now on developing the skills needed tomorrow.
Ross Millar agreed there is uncertainty in the air, which adds extra challenge to the current situation.
We obviously see the need for decarbonization and new technology. However, there is no clear ‘winner’ at this stage, given the absence of a predominant alternative fuel. Undoubtedly, there must be a stronger regulatory impetus from the IMO to meet the 2030/2050 targets. A lot of decisions need to be taken now.
…he highlighted.
Adding a new perspective on the discussion, Lennart emphasized that ‘’The priority for us should be actually to get data from the vessels. We are very good at collecting technical data but, as an industry, we are actually quite bad in collecting data with regards to human performance.’’ As he noted, there are few tools to measure how good our people are in adapting to change and how good they are with their intrinsic motivated learning. This data truly matters for the future workforce and therefore, should become a priority.
Yves Vandenborn also agreed that the industry is lacking in data collection, adding that we must also consider the safety issues that maritime decarbonization brings on the table. He also highlighted the need to make shipping attractive again.
I feel that outsiders are having a wrong impression about shipping, because they see all the negative that is happening in the news. But, there is also good things that are happening other than being able to put food on everybody’s plate in the world.
….Yves Vandenborn stressed and emphasized on bringing new people onboard and promoting their career prospects.
Experts also highlighted that the wellbeing of seafarers has become an increasingly prominent topic since the COVID-19 outbreak. Attention has been directed not only towards their mental health, which was a concern even before the pandemic, but also towards other aspects. Essentially, it has been recognized that wellbeing requires a holistic approach, necessitating the addressing of various issues.
Continuing the discussion, Lennart Ripke mentioned that the shortage of qualified ratings leads to a new challenge to take into account while to introduction of AI is going to change the current landscape, requiring expertise and knowledge from the workforce. ‘’In that sense, we might need to get a workforce that is largely more capable in terms of decision making, decision questioning or decision suggestion and have a better understanding of what data is technically available’’.
On the same length wave, Yves Vandenborn noted that technology has transformed the industry over the last years. Nowadays, seafarers have many tools to help them make up their decisions and AI is going to play a big role towards. Similarly, industry needs to practice caution and properly guide the seafarers to make use of AI and not blindly trust the technology.
To avoid mistakes with AI, we really need to keep the lessons learned from ECDIS and be careful to properly guide the seafarers how to use this new technology as an additional source of information to be able to make their decisions.
….he stressed.
Yves Vandenborn also referred to the ongoing review of STCW, highlighting that this is a good step forward. ‘’I ‘m looking forward to the outcome of the STCW review. The only problem is that we need to wait 10 years before it’s going to be in force. So, meanwhile, we do need to focus on the solutions ourselves before the STCW will hopefully make some good changes as well.’’
To attract more people to the profession, Panagiotis Kourkoumelis suggested that ship operators should foster pride in the profession and establish cadetship programs and related funds. Meanwhile, Ross Millar cited a recent paper indicating that the industry will require approximately 900,000 seafarers in the next few years. This staggering figure underscores the industry’s need to take proactive measures to ensure a sustainable future. Millar also noted that the pandemic has improved public perception of seafarers, recognizing their significant contribution to global trade. However, it is crucial to take action as soon as possible and explore opportunities for the advancement of remote and autonomous shipping.
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