Maritime industry safety and digital competency challenges

The maritime industry is addressing evolving operational risks, ranging from digital vulnerabilities to physical safety concerns. To combat cyber-physical risks caused by the convergence of information and operational technology, new requirements such as IACS Unified Requirements E26 and E27 have been implemented to mandate cyber resilience in ship designs. Additionally, the industry is managing physical disruptions like GNSS interference in the Baltic, Red, and Arabian Seas, while new platforms like SmartJourney and SmartAccess attempt to streamline crew logistics and terminal access.

Parallel to these technological challenges, there is a growing focus on occupational safety and the disconnect between seafarer risk perception and actual injury data. Research indicates that injuries frequently occur during the first three months of a contract, often during routine morning tasks. Industry experts are advocating for a transition from “paperwork-heavy compliance” toward practical safety measures, such as improved gas detection, wearable monitors, and more realistic, crew-involved procedure development to mitigate risks like enclosed space accidents.

Recent research commissioned by OneOcean and conducted by Thetius highlights a widening competency gap in digital shipping. Findings from reports titled ‘Competent or Compliant?’ and ‘Decision-optimised or overloaded?’ reveal that 82% of maritime professionals believe current training models fail to adequately prepare seafarers for modern, digitally-enabled operations. Approximately 56% of respondents identified ‘tick-box’ compliance as a primary factor contributing to the gap between certification and actual ability. Competency gaps are most pronounced during abnormal situations (67%) and high-pressure operations (56%), suggesting that while digitalization introduces new capabilities, it also redistributes workloads and introduces novel risks within connected digital ecosystems.