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This Digital Skills Deep Dive is part of the Global Maritime Trends programme and focuses on one of the most pressing challenges facing the sector: whether people are prepared for a rapidly digitalising maritime industry. It draws on global data and expert insight to examine how digital skills are defined, developed and applied across the maritime system, from seafarers and educators to regulators and industry. The report places people at the centre of digital transformation, recognising that technology only delivers benefits when it is understood, trusted and used effectively.
Deep dive on digital skills in maritime education and training, A global deep dive into people, skills and readiness for change, was carried out by the World Maritime University. It highlights a growing gap between rapid technological change and the sector’s ability to ensure the workforce is equipped with the digital skills needed to operate safely and effectively.
The question this report addresses is what will be needed to close this gap. It presents a challenge with significant implications for the future of the maritime workforce, and highlights the need to better support seafarers and maritime professionals to build the skills, confidence and understanding required in an increasingly digital industry.
The Global Maritime Trends programme launched by Lloyd’s Register and Lloyd’s Register Foundation, is a dynamic, multi-year research initiative, designed to provide evidence, insight, and foresight into the major challenges shaping the maritime industry between now and 2050, taking a holistic view of the maritime world, from fishing to offshore wind.
The programme launched in 2023 with the Global Maritime Trends 2050 Report (GMT2050 Report) by Economist Impact, which analyses possible future scenarios for maritime in 2050, based on the speed of technology adoption and the level of global collaboration, to help the industry forecast risks, opportunities, and required investment.
At the heart of the programme are a series of 'deep dive' reports which explore critical maritime issues, delivering expert analysis and robust data to provide a comprehensive understanding of the evolving maritime landscape and the potential implications for various maritime stakeholders.
In parallel with those deep dives and part of that same programme is the Global Maritime Trends Barometer which offers an annual pulse of the maritime industry’s journey through the energy transition and digital transition, while assessing progress towards the four future scenarios as outlined in the GMT2050 Report by Economist Impact. The Barometer is structured along five key components of the maritime industry: maritime trade, energy, vessels, ports, people.
This is the second in a series of ‘Deep Dives’ following the launch of the Global Maritime Trends 2050 report published in 2023 in partnership with Lloyd’s Register Foundation, Lloyd’s Register and Economist Impact. The Deep Dives provide evidence, insight, and foresight on the large-scale challenges affecting the maritime industry over coming years as indicated in Global Maritime Trends 2050. These subsequent reports draw on expert analyses and robust data to provide a comprehensive understanding of the evolving landscape and the potential implications for various maritime stakeholders.
A global study of how digital change is reshaping maritime education and training, exploring whether today’s workforce has the skills needed to keep pace, and where gaps remain.
Download Digital skills in maritime education and training (PDF, 9.14MB)If you wish to use and reference our 'Deep dive on digital skills in maritime education and training, A global deep dive into people, skills and readiness for change', report in your own work, please include the following DOI: https://doi.org/10.60743/07V5-8X56
Example Citation in IEEE Style:
Lloyd's Register Foundation, “Deep dive on digital skills in maritime education and training, A global deep dive into people, skills and readiness for change,” Lloyd's Register Foundation, 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.60743/07V5-8X56
'Deep dive on seafarer sustainability: Supporting the opportunity for Africa and women to create a sustainable supply of seafarers for the future', was carried out by the World Maritime University.
It highlights that investment in Africa and support for more women to play a significant part in maritime roles provides a viable option in a sustainable future for seafarers.
The Port of Thessaloniki (ThPA S.A.) has become the first port in the EU and the Mediterranean to integrate RightShip’s Maritime Emissions Portal (MEP) under the HELMEPA-led and Foundation-funded METAVASEA project.
The International Fund for Fishing Safety, has committed funding totaling £220,000 to support six fishing safety projects.
Lloyd’s Register Foundation has awarded £1,000,000 in grant funding to the IMLI to support its work in the adoption and effective implementation of maritime legislation.
