Digitalisation is transforming the maritime industry at a rapid pace. Ships are becoming increasingly connected, automated and data-driven. Yet skills development is not keeping up. A new study shows that seafarers are largely being left to acquire the digital competencies required for the future of shipping on their own.

How prepared is the maritime industry for the digital revolution? To answer that question, researchers at the World Maritime University in Malmö, commissioned by Lloyd’s Register, surveyed 532 seafarers from 64 countries, interviewed 110 experts from authorities, shipping companies and educational institutions, and analysed more than 2,400 IMO documents. The result is the most comprehensive assessment to date of how well the sector is prepared for the digital transition.

The findings point to a growing gap between technological development and human capability. Almost all seafarers surveyed reported that digitalisation is already affecting their daily work. Despite this, more than 80 per cent said they receive little or no digital skills training. As a result, many feel insufficiently prepared for the transition and lack critical expertise in areas such as automation, AI-assisted decision support, cybersecurity and data networks.

“Digitalisation is changing how people work and how risks are managed. If we do not invest in people at the same pace as technology, we risk creating new safety challenges rather than solving existing ones. This research shows that gaps in digital competence have real consequences for safety. Bridging those gaps is about giving seafarers the knowledge, confidence and capability they need to operate in an increasingly digital environment,” said Jan Przydatek, Director of Technologies at Lloyd’s Register Foundation, at the launch of the report.

Seafarers themselves are eager to learn. Two-thirds said they would gladly participate in continuous digital skills development if given the opportunity. Instead, many are forced to manage their learning independently. The most common form of training is self-study on board, followed by company-provided instruction. The report’s authors warn that responsibility for keeping up with technological change has, in practice, shifted from organisations to individual seafarers. According to Mark Warner, Global Client Marketing Director at Lloyd’s Register, this is also a safety issue.

“Technology only improves safety when people understand how systems work, trust the information they provide, and know when not to rely on them. As digital tools become an ever larger part of daily operations, human judgement and confidence in one’s own abilities remain essential,” he said.

However, the skills gap extends beyond seafarers. Maritime education providers are facing challenges of their own. Many instructors lack experience in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and digital systems. Simulator technology and digital equipment are expensive and require continuous updating. In several countries, educational institutions are also constrained by regulations that are not evolving at the same pace as technology.

The report also criticises the IMO’s STCW Convention, which forms the foundation of maritime education and training worldwide. Although ships have become increasingly digitalised, the framework still provides limited guidance on AI, cybersecurity, data analytics and autonomous vessels. A major revision is currently underway, but the new requirements are not expected to be fully implemented until sometime in the 2030s.

Finally, the researchers warn that current developments risk creating a new knowledge divide within the maritime sector. On one side are well-funded institutions and shipping companies investing heavily in new technologies and digital skills. On the other are countries and organisations that lack the resources to keep pace. This could lead to a widening digital divide across the global maritime industry.

Read the report: Digital Skills in Maritime Education and Training