From Paper to Digital: The Impact and Hidden Challenges of Mandatory ECDIS on Maritime Safety and Seafarer Practice

This paper explores the impact of the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) on the safety of navigation and seafarers’ professional practices. As ECDIS has become the primary tool for navigation, its proper use is critical for ensuring safe maritime operations. Drawing on data from a questionnaire completed by 154 active seafarers, this research investigates how ECDIS influences situational awareness, the use and management of safety settings, training adequacy, and system-related challenges. The findings reveal that while most respondents recognise ECDIS as a tool that enhances navigational safety, significant concerns remain regarding human error, insufficient training, and inconsistent application of safety settings such as the safety contour. Additionally, steering errors during restricted water manoeuvres and system crashes emerged as recurrent safety concerns. The study highlights the need for improved standardisation, targeted training, and more effective integration of human and technological elements to ensure optimal ECDIS use. The results offer actionable insights for enhancing ECDIS implementation and maritime safety standards.