Technological change is transforming our economy, and the shipping industry is no exception. Researchers have made early steps towards fully automated ships, while other new technologies could make the management of shipping much less labour intensive. Innovation is unstoppable, and can bring many benefits for workers and society. But seafarers will face enormous changes, and they have the right to be respected and listened to as their industry transforms.
At the moment, the European institutions are enthusiastically driving forward innovation in shipping. They actively support researchers and marine manufacturers in the development of automated ships and fully integrated transport systems. ETF and its affiliates across Europe aim to democratise decisions about how and when we use new technologies. We stand ready to play our role in steering this process so that it brings improvements in maritime safety, environmental performance, and the working lives and conditions of maritime professionals. This is how new technologies can realise their full potential to build a shipping industry based on social, economic and ecological sustainability.
The ETF is prepared to step up and act as an agent of change in support of a smooth technological transition. Our goal is that workers are consulted and supported so that changes result in improved safety, high-quality employment and training for European maritime professionals. We must also defend the sustainability of maritime clusters in Europe, which are of economic and strategic importance.
Our five guidelines for sustainable digital shipping set out our position on technological change in the sector. They provide European stakeholders with the key principles and approaches needed to ensure that their decisions about the automation of shipping bring the maximum benefits for the economy, workers and the environment.
More about digitalisation in shipping
See AllFor 2022, ETF’s main priority in the maritime sector is to have the fundamental social rights of waterborne transport workers recognized, respected and implemented at the EU level
From the ongoing challenge of seafarers, crew members and fishers sometimes being denied emergency medical treatment by port states to the global scandal that is the crew change crisis, waterborne transport workers need proper recognition and a sustainable future.
European research confirms the need for innovation in maritime education
A new report of the SkillSea project confirms that digitisation and modern technologies have been rapidly changing the maritime sector in recent years. European maritime professionals, both at sea and ashore, need more digital and soft skills to stay ahead of the industry.
Radical changes required to future-proof training and education of maritime professionals
As part of the SkillSea project, a new report was released – Current Skills Needs: Reality and Mapping.
Researchers surveyed more than 1,600 maritime professionals – 1,149 seafarers and 474 shore-based personnel – to get their views on the adequacy of current maritime training and education and what they consider to be the most important skills needs.
“People must be put first!” – ETF reaction to the Opatija Declaration
On Wednesday, EU Transport Ministers adopted the Opatija Declaration on the future outlook of EU Waterborne Transport.
ETF welcomes the attention given to some of the ongoing industry challenges, and at the same time highlights several points that we believe merit further consideration and follow-up both of the EU Member States and the European Commission.
The future of European Shipping needs to be social!
Last week, European Shipping Week 2020 was held in Brussels, organised by the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA). This year, the ETF Maritime Transport section took part in a variety of ways, with trade union representatives from nine different countries attending and contributing to the programme.
Where can you find us during the 2020 European Shipping Week?
In addition to an event on seafarers’ employment organised by ETF affiliates, we will be involved in a number of other events together with the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA). We will be presenting results from joint projects and upcoming activities, as well as offer a better insight into the perspective of seafarers in terms of skills needs, digitalization, and equal opportunities.
Water transport sectors meet in Hamburg to discuss the impacts of automation & digitalisation
On 11 and 12 December, workers and union representatives from the water transport sectors met in Hamburg for a workshop on automation and digitalisation. The workshop is part of the project ETF Automation & Digitalisation Toolkit, aimed at developing tools to empower workers during the processes of automation and digitalization (A&D).
ETF and ECSA welcome the adoption of the Regulation establishing a European Maritime Single Window environment
The establishment of a European Maritime Single Window environment should deliver a long-awaited administrative simplification for masters and officers working onboard ships calling at EU ports. This should contribute to reducing stress and fatigue, and should be accompanied by adequate training and support from staff ashore.
ETF and partners launch EU-funded project for futureproof skills in maritime transport
European maritime sector receives EU funding for a ‘SkillSea’ project for sectoral co-operation on skills and training.