# Maritime industry safety and digital competency challenges

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/maritime-industry-safety-and-security-challenges
> Updated: 2026-10-24T05:27:57.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 3.

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.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-24: Maritime professionals report widening competency gap in digital shipping

Research by OneOcean and Thetius shows 82% of maritime professionals feel current training fails to prepare crews for the complexities of modern, digital vessel operations.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maritime-professionals-report-widening-competency-gap-in-digital-shipping

### 2026-10-19: Maritime industry urged to prioritize practical safety over procedures

Maritime experts report a gap between seafarer risk perception and actual injury data, urging the shipping industry to prioritize practical safety measures over complex paperwork and procedures.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maritime-industry-urged-to-prioritize-practical-safety-over-procedures

### 2026-10-15: Maritime industry addresses cyber-physical risks and crew logistics

The maritime sector is addressing rising cyber-physical risks and operational complexities through new IACS resilience requirements and SmartSea’s digital crew management and access platforms.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maritime-industry-addresses-cyber-physical-risks-and-crew-logistics

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Cite as: Maritime industry safety and digital competency challenges. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/maritime-industry-safety-and-security-challenges