Decarbonization of the Maritime Industry and Suggested Training of Seafarer Officers

The IMO set ambitious environmental requirements regarding greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping. These requirements were accompanied by regulatory instruments and several proposals for technological solutions. While seafarers are not involved in selecting these technologies, they are responsible for their operation once they are installed onboard. Proper training is essential to ensure safe operations and compliance with emissions requirements. This study aims to understand the regulatory instruments regarding limiting GHG emissions from international shipping and the technological solutions that could help the maritime sector reach the IMO's ambition. These instruments and solutions are discussed, and the authors thereafter suggest the training needs required for each of them concerning the seafarer officers. The study is divided into four main parts: energy efficiency measures, zero or near-zero-emission fuels, onboard carbon capture and storage, and training allocation and availability. The paper concludes by answering the main research question of what a potential training scope is for seafarer officers to safely operate vessels during the decarbonization of international shipping. It addresses training needs in the short, medium, and long terms. Furthermore, it concludes that some training should be taken by all officers regardless of which kind of vessel they work on, while others should be taken only if assigned to work on a vessel using a particular type of fuel or technology. Above all, the study concludes by highlighting the importance of training seafarer officers to achieve the desired ambition through safe operations during the transition to zero or near-zero GHG emissions from international shipping. The study emphasizes the urgency of implementing training provisions, as some seafarers are already exposed to the hazards of emerging technologies without adequate preparation. It also acknowledges that the maritime sector is undergoing a rapid transition, requiring continuous reassessment of training needs to ensure safe operations.