The Maritime Just Transition Taskforce

The Maritime Just Transition Task Force operates with one mission at its heart: to make sure that the shipping industry’s response to the climate emergency puts seafarers at the heart of the solution. Its purpose is based on the principle that while solutions need to be found to tackle the greenhouse gas emissions caused by shipping – currently at 3% of global GHG emissions – this must not be done at the expense of those who are the lifeblood of maritime - seafarers.  

It was formed during COP26 in Glasgow, bringing together key stakeholders and seeking to strengthen and coordinate collaboration between industry, workers, governments, and academia towards a safe, equitable and human-centred approach to the transition as the shipping industry decarbonises. The principles it is based on are set out by the International Labour Organization (ILO) guidelines which state that greening the economy must be done in a way that is fair and inclusive as possible to everyone concerned, creating decent work opportunities and leaving no one behind. 

In The Maritime Just Transition Task Force’s first phase, with Lloyd’s Register Foundation the founding funders, a 10-point action plan was created to set out the way forward.  

This unique project and partnership also led to the announcement last year of a new framework to provide the training needed to make sure seafarers are equipped to work with future fuels – ammonia, methanol and hydrogen.  Research commissioned by the Maritime Just Transition Task Force in 2022 found that 800,000 seafarers could need more training by the mid-2030s to operate vessels run on zero or near zero emission fuels. 

While industry globally is working to achieve zero emissions by 2050, the Maritime Just Transition Task Force is working on a framework that will make sure seafarers are equipped to deal with the changes that will be inevitably be brought by advancing technologies.  That training framework, funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation and IMO, will equip seafarers with skills in decarbonization and provide guidance for trainers and the industry. 

Dr Tim Slingsby, Director of Skills and Education at Lloyd’s Register Foundation said: “The task force recognizes that seafarers play a crucial role in this transition. They operate ships, face the challenges of new technologies, and are directly impacted by industry changes. Their wellbeing, rights, and livelihoods must be central to any climate action. 

“We know that change can feel frightening and we are determined to work with seafarers as well as ship owners to find solutions. It’s important for seafarers to know and understand that their voice must and will be heard in all this work as industry works towards achieving its target for net zero emissions for shipping by 2050.” 

Branko Berlan, who is ITF’s representative at the IMO and a member of the Maritime Just Transition Task Force Secretariat, agrees. 

He comments: “Investing in skills now to support the green transition, strengthening global training standards and delivering worldwide training so that no seafarer is disadvantaged, just because of where they live in the world, is vital as part of that fair and just transition. It’s also crucial that all of us ensure a safe working environment for seafarers as well as making sure future technologies are effectively managed and operated.