Adapting Maritime Education for the Autonomous Era: A Pilot Program as Approach for MASS Operator Training

The technological advancements leading to fully autonomous transportation systems are already shaping the fleets of the future. Contrary to expectations, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems are increasing the demand for highly skilled crews and operators. Based on the EMSA report and a new non-mandatory International Code for Safety for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS Code), it is justified that MASS operators require STCW training as a baseline. These findings underscore the pressing need for Maritime Education and Training Institutions (METIs) to work diligently to promptly update their curricula. As part of a coordinated initiative to incorporate MASS into MET, four European METIs have collaborated to develop a new Blended Intensive Programme. This paper introduces the aforementioned course implemented as a pilot program in the second semester of the 2024-2025 academic year. Findings can guide the development of future curriculum, support the standardization of training programs across METIs, and help to establish international recommendations for maritime education in the era of autonomous systems.