The maritime industry is on a non-stop path toward digitalization, and the Seafarer Digital Literacy Initiative is helping ensure that African seafarers are equipped to thrive in the emerging digital world at sea. Founded by Fieldbase Services Ltd., and sponsored by KVH Industries, Inc., and Intelsat, SDLI is an innovative new training program based in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, that includes a mix of classroom training and ongoing onboard education that covers everything from basic computer skills, document sharing, and digital signatures to the use of satellite communication systems, electronic charts, remote service and support tools, and basics of cybersecurity.

“The shipping industry is undergoing a technological transformation,” explains Chinedu Abanobi, Managing Director of Fieldbase. “While the industry is actively embracing these technologies, it is essential not to overlook the importance of crew training and competencies in delivering the expected efficiencies these technologies help deliver. This is why Fieldbase and its sponsors have launched the digital literacy initiative.”

“KVH and our partner, Intelsat, are thrilled to support the Seafarer Digital Literacy Initiative,” says Chris Watson, KVH’s vice president of marketing and communications. “The commercial maritime industry relies upon seafarers around the globe, with African seafarers and ports playing a vital part. SDLI and the training team established by Fieldbase are leading the way in providing bridge crews with the basic digital literacy levels necessary to enable them to utilize digital tools and improve operations for their companies, support their crews, and aid with the safe operation of their vessels.”

The first trainees are now completing the program with a lengthy waiting list of officers and crew hoping to enroll. Based on the program’s success over the next year, it may expand from Port Harcourt to Lagos and other African ports.

“I’m going to recommend that all of my chief officers take this training,” commented a recent trainee and a Nemera Oil and Gas captain. “It was really good, very helpful.”