- European Maritime Skills Forum launched to tackle skills gaps in maritime industry.
- Aimed at upskilling 250,000 seafarers by 2030 for green and digital transitions.
- Three key workstreams launched: green skills, digitalisation, and leadership development.
- Initiative supported by the European Commission and builds on the EU-funded SkillSea project.
The European Maritime Skills Forum, a joint initiative by the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) and the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), officially launched this week with the support of the European Commission. The forum brings together maritime stakeholders across Europe, including policymakers, industry leaders, transport unions, researchers, and Maritime Education and Training Providers (MET-NET), to address the emerging skills gaps in the maritime sector due to the green and digital transitions.
Key Objectives
The forum aims to identify critical skills gaps, particularly in the context of the green and digital transitions, and tackle the shortage of maritime professionals. It also addresses the issue of limited mobility between land-based roles and on-board positions, promoting greater flexibility within the industry.
Joint Effort for Industry and Union Collaboration
Sotiris Raptis, Secretary General of ECSA, highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation between unions and the maritime industry. This initiative aims to create synergies, enhance collaboration, and bring together key stakeholders such as social partners, policymakers, maritime education providers, and research institutes. The Draghi report indicates that Europe alone will need to upskill and reskill 250,000 seafarers by the mid-2030s to meet the demands of the green and digital transitions.
A Human-Centered Approach
Livia Spera, General Secretary of ETF, emphasized that the forum’s focus is on ensuring better working conditions, creating quality jobs, and making the maritime profession more inclusive and attractive. By prioritizing a human-centered approach, the initiative aims to provide targeted upskilling and reskilling opportunities for seafarers, ensuring no one is left behind in this transition and contributing to a more sustainable future for the maritime sector.
Key Workstreams for Sector Transformation
The forum builds on the outcomes of the EU-funded SkillSea project, which identified challenges such as the shortage of maritime professionals, evolving skills needs, and the need for better collaboration. The forum has launched three key workstreams focused on:
- Green Skills: Training for clean fuels and sustainable practices.
- Digitalisation: Addressing priorities like cybersecurity and AI.
- Leadership Development: Promoting diversity, resilience, and inclusion.
These workstreams will continue to meet throughout the year, discussing solutions and reporting on progress at the next plenary meeting.
Moving Toward a Sustainable Maritime Future
The European Maritime Skills Forum is a vital step in shaping the future of Europe’s maritime industry. Through collaboration and targeted skills development, it aims to equip the sector for the challenges of the green and digital transitions, ensuring it remains resilient and competitive.
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Source: European Community Shipowners’ Association
