(NEWS) WMU/ITF Transport 2040 Phase II Workshop

February

2022

WMU/ITF Transport 2040 Phase II Workshop

Through generous funding from the International Transport Federation Workers’ Union (ITF), the World Maritime University (WMU) is conducting Phase II of the Transport 2040 flagship project. Transport 2040 Phase II builds on the previous research and explores in-depth maritime shipping issues related to automation and technology.

On 15 February, the second workshop for Phase II focused on skill foresight and was conducted through a series of interactive and creative sessions with WMU student participants. Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, President of WMU, opened the workshop noting the importance of the Transport 2040 projects in looking at how to drive the shifting nature of work and skills, and prepare for a sustainable maritime future. “Through Transport 2040, we aim to help prepare the industry and identify people needed to be brought on board — whether at sea or on shore, for the short term, mid-term and for the long term future,” said President Doumbia-Henry.

Discussions followed about the necessary skills to cope with future technological developments. Student participants with a variety of experiences and maritime backgrounds identified skill gaps and proposed recommendations to bridge them.

The goals of Phase II include: creating a roadmap towards future smart and autonomous inclusive shipping; identifying the reskilling and upskilling scenarios for future seafarers and e-farers; developing an overview of the likelihood of automation and technology in various countries; providing a legal assessment on the impact of automation and technology in selected countries; effectively informing ITF membership of conclusions; recommending policy guidelines for a technology transition that is fair and inclusive with special emphasis on young and female workers.

This second workshop complemented the initial Phase II workshop that took place in December 2021 on MASS validation. The aim of the first workshop was to set out a road map of future shipping technologies to help in the identification of the required knowledge, skills, and competencies for seafarers as a result of technological advancement in the maritime sector. Participants validated various future trends that have been identified as well as forthcoming technologies related to these trends, policies decelerating or accelerating technology advancement, and opportunities and threats to various maritime stakeholders due to the emergence of new technologies.

Both workshops included 22 WMU students from 16 different countries who are maritime professionals with a broad spectrum of maritime backgrounds.

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