The introduction of automation in global transport will be evolutionary,
rather than revolutionary and despite high levels of automation, qualified
human resources with the right skill sets will still be needed in the
foreseeable future, a new report produced by the World Maritime University
finds.
rather than revolutionary and despite high levels of automation, qualified
human resources with the right skill sets will still be needed in the
foreseeable future, a new report produced by the World Maritime University
finds.
Specifically, the report entitled “Transport 2040: Automation
Technology Employment – the Future of Work” says that autonomous ships
will not replace conventional cargo ships which could result in the loss of seafarer
jobs.
Technology Employment – the Future of Work” says that autonomous ships
will not replace conventional cargo ships which could result in the loss of seafarer
jobs.
The task of seafarers will change to more digital ones, especially in
operations monitoring and system management and in less operational work. As
pointed out, the seafarer of the future will benefit by combining maritime
skills with the digital ones.
operations monitoring and system management and in less operational work. As
pointed out, the seafarer of the future will benefit by combining maritime
skills with the digital ones.
When it comes to the port sector, the workforce in ports needs training
and reskilling. Although port automation is developing rapidly, some automation
processes in ports still face considerable technical impediments, according to
the report.
and reskilling. Although port automation is developing rapidly, some automation
processes in ports still face considerable technical impediments, according to
the report.
Apart from the seaborne sector, the report focuses on other major
transport sectors, investigating how the global transport industry will change
as a result of automation and advanced technologies, forecasting and analyzing
trends and developments with an emphasis on the implications for jobs and
employment.
transport sectors, investigating how the global transport industry will change
as a result of automation and advanced technologies, forecasting and analyzing
trends and developments with an emphasis on the implications for jobs and
employment.
Key findings indicate that technological advances are inevitable, but
will be gradual and vary by region. Workers will be affected in different ways
based on their skill levels and the varying degrees of preparedness of
different countries. Case studies, as well as comparisons of autonomy scales
and automation potential for job profiles in transport provide insight to the
future of work.
will be gradual and vary by region. Workers will be affected in different ways
based on their skill levels and the varying degrees of preparedness of
different countries. Case studies, as well as comparisons of autonomy scales
and automation potential for job profiles in transport provide insight to the
future of work.
Regarding maritime transport, the report looks at seventeen countries more
specifically to assess how prepared they are for technical innovation.
specifically to assess how prepared they are for technical innovation.
The report notes that new technologies and automation are impacting
transport sector workers through both the displacement and creation of jobs,
and may result in difficult transitions for many employed in the transportation
sector. The future of work needs to ensure that workers are suitably qualified
and re-trained to effectively master new technologies and higher levels of
automation.
transport sector workers through both the displacement and creation of jobs,
and may result in difficult transitions for many employed in the transportation
sector. The future of work needs to ensure that workers are suitably qualified
and re-trained to effectively master new technologies and higher levels of
automation.
Kitack Lim, International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General,
opened the launch event on January 15 noting that integrating new and advancing
technologies in the regulatory framework for the shipping industry is a key
strategic direction for IMO.
opened the launch event on January 15 noting that integrating new and advancing
technologies in the regulatory framework for the shipping industry is a key
strategic direction for IMO.
“Member States and the industry need to anticipate the impact these
changes may have and how they will be addressed,” he
stated.
changes may have and how they will be addressed,” he
stated.
World Maritime News.
