The digital and green transition require new skills from seafarers. At the same time, there is a shortage of maritime professionals and limited mobility between land and on-board positions. The European Maritime Skills Forum, a joint initiative of ECSA and ETF, seeks to remedy these issues.
This new initiative, which is officially supported by the European Commission, brings together maritime stakeholders from across Europe, including policymakers, industry and transport unions, researchers, and maritime education and training providers (MET-NET).
Also read: ‘Seafarer training needs overhaul for decarbonisation’
250,000 seafarers in Europe need upskilling
‘The Draghi report identifies a skills gap in the European economy, highlighting that 250,000 seafarers will need to be upskilled and reskilled by the mid-2030s in Europe alone for the green and digital transition,’ says Sotiris Raptis, Secretary General of European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA). ‘The European Maritime Skills Forum is an important step in building a future-proof training and education system for Europe’s maritime industry.’
Livia Spera, General Secretary of the European Transport Workers Federation (ETF): ‘We created the EU Maritime Skills Forum as a tool to foster cooperation between the social partners, maritime stakeholders, policymakers, and maritime training institutions as we navigate the green and digital transformation of the sector. At the heart of this transition, we want to put the human element – ensuring better working conditions, creating quality jobs, and making the profession more attractive and inclusive. By prioritising a just, human-centred approach, we can support seafarers through targeted upskilling and reskilling initiatives, leaving no one behind. This is essential to unlocking a sustainable and equitable future for maritime transport.’
Also read: ECSA and ETF launch Seafarers Go Digital
Building on SkillSea project
The Forum builds on the outcomes of the EU-funded SkillSea project. This project identified key challenges such as a shortage of maritime professionals, evolving skills demands, and the need for better cooperation among stakeholders.
The Forum has launched three workstreams focused on green skills, digitalisation, and leadership development. These workstreams seek to address issues like training for the safe use of new clean fuels, digital priorities, such as cybersecurity and AI, and developing soft skills to enhance diversity, resilience, and inclusion in the sector.
The workstreams will meet throughout the year to progress on the discussion and will report at the next Forum plenary meeting next year to discuss the next steps.
Picture by Laurahayes7751.
Also read: SkillSea: Maritime professionals need to be up- and reskilled
