800,000 Seafarers Must Undergo Retraining

The European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) has published a new position paper emphasizing the importance of the European Maritime Industrial Strategy in the context of the Clean Industry Agreement. Shipping plays a key role in ensuring Europe’s energy, food, and supply chain security, acting as a geopolitical asset. With European shipowners controlling 39.5% of the world’s tonnage, specific steps are proposed to enhance the competitiveness of the sector, focusing on green energy and digital technologies.

Seafarers find themselves at the heart of significant changes due to the adoption of green technologies and digitization in the maritime industry. Retraining is necessary due to the following factors:

Use of New Technologies: Transitioning to clean fuels, such as biofuels and hydrogen, requires seafarers to gain new knowledge and skills to safely operate new systems and technologies on ships. Digitalization and Automation: The implementation of digital technologies and automation systems requires a deep understanding and skills to manage these complex systems for the safe and efficient operation of vessels. Changes in Regulatory Requirements: New international standards on emission reductions and the use of environmentally friendly fuels demand enhanced qualifications so that seafarers can comply with these standards and ensure the sustainable operation of vessels.

Retraining Timeline and Transition Concept

• Timeline: Over the next 10 years, 800,000 seafarers must be retrained and upskilled for the green and digital transition.
• Transition Concept:
  • Education and Training: New educational programs are needed that focus on working with eco-friendly fuels, digital technologies, and automation. Continuous professional development should be emphasized as part of a lifelong learning concept.
  • Investment in Skills: The European Maritime Strategy should include support programs and funding to prepare seafarers for the new working environment. EU and national government funding, grants, and training compensation programs are key components.
  • Social Partners and Cooperation: Initiatives like SkillSea and others suggest using cooperation networks to adapt educational programs and improve collaboration between educational institutions and maritime professionals.

Thus, the green transition requires large-scale investments in retraining and coordinated actions to create sustainable career prospects in the maritime industry.

While awaiting retraining for the green transition, you can take the CES Test in Warsaw.