A document just released by the European Commission shows industry-wide agreement that major changes to maritime training will be needed to keep seafarers safe in the shift to decarbonisation and digitalisation.
No single body can be responsible for these changes, so the Commission has been facilitating joint working and partnerships – notably at a high-level seafarer safety workshop earlier this year.
Titled The impact on maritime safety of seafarers’ living and working conditions, education and training, the Brussels-based event drew delegates from across the industry, with strong input from the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF), of which Nautilus is an affiliate union. Employers were represented by the ETF's social partner ECSA (European Community Shipowners' Associations).
The newly-available conclusions document from the workshop stresses that the industry must work as one to develop training for seafarers and port workers while new, greener fuels are being introduced.
'Collaboration among industry stakeholders, regulatory bodies, and maritime education institutions is crucial in developing global training frameworks and certification standards that address the evolving needs of the maritime workforce,' the document points out.
Looking at digitalisation and automation, the document says: 'Digital technologies offer significant potential to streamline administrative tasks and enhance safety measures in vessel management.' However, 'comprehensive changes' will be needed in maritime education and training for both seafarers and shore personnel.
Other areas of concern to the workshop included social security. The conclusions document states: 'Strengthened enforcement, awareness campaigns, and coordinated efforts among EU member states are crucial to ensure effective implementation and enforcement of seafarers' social security rights.' Delegates agreed that a dedicated forum should be established for collaboration and information exchange.
Seafarer wellbeing was also discussed, with delegates addressing familiar issues such as fatigue, crewing levels, bullying and harassment, and internet safety.
The workshop's conclusions will now feed into the work of the European Commission's Directorate General for Mobility and Transport, as well as other industry partnerships.
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