Eighty two per cent of maritime professionals surveyed say current training does not adequately prepare crews for the realities of modern, digitally-enabled vessel operations. Just 18% believe training keeps pace, according to new research from OneOcean and Thetius.
Seafarer training is falling behind rapidly evolving operational realities at sea, according to two new reports commissioned by OneOcean and conducted by maritime innovation consultancy Thetius.
The research draws on survey data and interviews with maritime professionals across shipboard and shore-based roles. Those interviewed and surveyed include masters, officers, engineers, superintendents, training personnel, crewing staff, and shore-based operators.
Findings reveal two interconnected challenges – that seafarers work in increasingly complex digital environments, and that maritime professionals do not feel well prepared to keep pace with this change.
The reports suggest that whilst the global seafaring workforce may be qualified on paper, it is under prepared in practice.
According to the first report, Competent or Compliant?, the research found that:
- 82% of respondents say current training models do not prepare crews for modern operations
- 52% report that qualified crew struggle in real operations ‘often’ or ‘very often’
- 56% say ‘tick box’ compliance contributes to this gap
- 18% believe current training adequately prepares crews for operational reality
The maritime professionals that responded say these competence ‘gaps’ are most visible during:
- Abnormal or unexpected situations (67%)
- High-pressure operations (56%)
- Working between different vessels (36%)
- When using complex digital systems, ECDIS or reporting tools (31%)
According to the second report, Decision-optimised or overloaded? the digital revolution has introduced novel risks alongside new capabilities because the technology can redistribute rather than eliminate work. Modern vessels are highly connected digital ecosystems, and while this has improved reporting, transparency and efficiency, it has also had introduced challenges.
Crews increasingly act as the link between systems that do not communicate with one another, manually reconciling conflicting data across displays. The report also found that alert fatigue is a growing risk. For example, following Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference, 75% of mariners reported a moderate to significant increase in workload, showing how quickly information overload can escalate when further systems alarm at once.
The report suggests that more data does not necessarily lead to better decisions, particularly in high-pressure situations, yet training courses do not sufficiently prepare seafarers to handle this reality.
Alex Mangan, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, OneOcean, said: “Change in shipping will only accelerate as vessels adopt new digital systems to manage tightening international regulation and to sail more efficiently and productively.
“This has created a growing gap between the training seafarers receive and the challenges they face at sea. The problem is twofold, coming from rapid technological changes at sea, and from the ways in which training is delivered to crews. Closing this reality gap requires the industry to shift its approaches to competence, to reflect real-world operations.”
Nick Chubb, Founder of Thetius, said: “The findings reveal a clear reality gap between the demands of modern shipping and the way competence is developed. As vessels become more digitally complex, the industry must move beyond compliance-based training and equip seafarers with the skills they need to operate safely and effectively.“
OneOcean’s own product suite reflects this thinking. The Ocean Learning Platform (OLP) gives operators fleet-wide visibility into crew readiness, turning certification records and assessments into a verified picture of who’s ready, where training gaps remain and, crucially, painting a clear picture of competence levels.
OneOcean remains committed to investing in Human Capital Management and empowering continuous workforce planning, development and engagement through digital tools.
Both reports were launched via a two-part webinar series hosted by Thetius, featuring live discussion of the findings with industry panellists. The reports and the webinar recordings are available at https://www.oneocean.com/insights/oneocean-thetius-thought-leadership.
OneOcean continued the conversation this week at Seatrade Maritime Crew Connect Global’s where Capt. Sanjeev Mathur, SVP, OneOcean, moderated a peer exchange focussed on ‘The Deployment Gap: What the Officer Shortage Actually Costs to Manage’, John Butler, SVP, Technical Ship Management, OneOcean, discussed ‘The Fatigue Timebomb & Shore Leave Erosion: A Witness Stand’ and Anna Ruszczynska – Regional Director – APAC, OneOcean, debated ‘The 800,000 — Who Owns the Race to Train the Guinea Pig Generation?’.
About OneOcean
OneOcean is a unified brand created through the integration of LR OneOcean and Ocean Technologies Group, owned by Lloyd’s Register—an organisation with more than 260 years of trust, integrity, and leadership at sea. Our digital solutions are relied upon by more than 30,000 vessels and we support the training and development of over one million seafarers worldwide, following the acquisition of OneOcean in 2022 and Ocean Technologies Group in 2024.
OneOcean exists to help the maritime industry address its most pressing challenges, from accelerating digitalisation to driving progress toward decarbonisation. By bringing together data, intelligence, and expertise, we provide the clarity, control, and confidence maritime professionals need to make better decisions and operate more safely, efficiently, and sustainably.
OneOcean helps the maritime industry see further.
About Lloyd’s Register
Trusted maritime and energy sector advisors, partnering with clients to drive performance across the ocean economy.
Lloyd’s Register (LR) is a global professional services group specialising in marine engineering, technology and digital solutions. We were created more than 260 years ago as the world’s first marine classification society to improve and set standards for the safety of ships.
Today we are a leading provider of classification and compliance services to the marine and offshore industries, helping our clients design, construct and operate their assets to accepted levels of safety and environmental compliance.
We also provide advisory services and digital solutions, supporting fleet and voyage performance and optimisation. Through OneOcean, LR delivers integrated digital solutions supporting voyage planning, optimisation, compliance, training and fleet performance across more than 30,000 vessels globally.
In the race to zero emissions, our research, advisory and technical expertise and industry-firsts are supporting a safe, sustainable maritime energy transition.
Lloyd’s Register Group is wholly owned by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, a politically and financially independent global charity that promotes safety and education.
