In the UK P&I Club’s latest “Ask an Expert” series, Capt. Akshat Arora interviews Capt. Debashis Basu—Founder and Managing Partner of Navguide Solutions—to explore what truly motivates young maritime professionals today. The piece dives into how the industry must adapt to resonate with a generation that prioritizes purpose, learning, and connection.
Engaging the Next Generation of Mariners
Capt. Basu passionately dismantles outdated assumptions about Gen Z’s career preferences. He argues that seafaring must evolve beyond rote operations—it needs to offer real-world meaning, relevance, and ownership. Only then will it regain appeal among young talents who value authenticity and impact.
Training and mentorship emerge as pivotal in this transformation. Capt. Basu emphasizes that what worked for older generations—for instance, terse manuals or formal classroom sessions—doesn’t resonate with today’s visual and digital learners. Instead, he proposes immersive, interactive modules, real-time feedback loops, and peer-centred communities built on trust and mutual support.
Ultimately, this conversation isn’t just about recruitment—it’s about setting the tone for the entire culture at sea. Capt. Basu warns that unless maritime stakeholders modernize their approach—aligning with Gen Z’s expectations of creativity, flexibility, and purpose—they risk losing the next generation of talent.
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Source: UK P&I
