Reports highlights need to “upskill” maritime workforce

  • Posted by David Sexton
  • |
  • 10 January, 2019
EXISTING workforces need to be upskilled and “future proofed” to cope with the pace of technological change in the shipping landscape, a new report states. The second Sea Asia industry insights report, ‘Technology in Maritime: Dehumanising the Industry or Creating New Job Opportunities?’ was launched recently ahead of the biennial Sea Asia conference and exhibition. International Chamber of Shipping president of the Singapore Shipping Association Esben Poulsson said leaders needed to ensure existing staff received the necessary training and upskilling. “It is important that the maritime industry has the right people with the right skills to effectively harness new technologies,” Mr Poulsson said. “Initiatives like the Maritime Cluster Fund by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore are key to making sure that the current workforce has the opportunities to further enhance and improve their skills,” he said. “Industry leaders need to also work with educational institutions to ensure that our next generation of workforce is equipped with the right skills and knowledge to propel the maritime industry forward in a technological world.” Executive director of the Singapore Maritime Foundation Kenneth Chia said while technological innovations were making some traditional roles redundant, this does not mean all workers would be replaced. “It is more evident that technology is altering traditional maritime jobs and changing the types of skills that are needed in the maritime industry, as opposed to it completely removing jobs for the current workforce,” Mr Chia said.
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Posted by David Sexton

David Sexton is DCN’s senior journalist and has an extensive career across online and print media. A former DCN editor, he returns to covering shipping and logistics after a four-year hiatus working at Monash University during which time he managed production of key reports into the Indonesian ports and rail sectors.

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