On 26 June, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the World Maritime University (WMU) launched a report titled, Transport 2040 – Impact of Technology on Seafarers – The Future of Work, during the International Chamber of Shipping’s Shaping the Future of Shipping event in Manila, Philippines.
Future Shipping Technologies
The research results provide an in-depth exploration of a number of maritime issues related to future ship technologies, including automation, and seeks to qualify the probable impact on seafarers. Findings include a Technology Road Map that offers comprehensive insights into future shipping technologies and their evolution in the maritime industry, looking primarily at automation and the technology transition.
Divided into short, medium and long-term expectation horizons, the Technology Road Map covers industry trends within main and subtechnologies, including the relevant policies, opportunities and threats they respectively entail as reported by key stakeholders.
Technological Transition
According to the report, the technological transition in the maritime industry will affect seafarers differently depending on their profession, rank and job function. Seafarer skill foresights are presented in alignment with the Technology Road Map, taking into consideration a wider scope of technological developments within smart, MASS and green shipping that will affect the future of work at sea.
Findings include that upskilling and reskilling are important interventions in support of seafarers in light of the rapid change their working environment is set to undergo due to the advancement of smart and green technologies.
Training
Throughout the report, the importance of training is highlighted as critical to the success of the transition towards automation and digitalization. The report also projects that technological transition in the industry is expected to result in the emergence of a range of new kinds of jobs for seafaring professionals. The report projects that the impact of such new technologies on seafarers will be influenced not only by their individual preparedness for change but also by the conditions offered by each country.
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Source: Safety4sea
