This initiative aims to identify skills gap emerging from the digital and green transition and discuss the shortage of maritime professionals and limited mobility between land and on-board positions.

The European Maritime Skills Forum launch event, a joint initiative of ECSA and ETF, the European social partners for maritime transport, took place this week. This new initiative, which is officially supported by the European Commission, brings together maritime stakeholders from across Europe, including policymakers, industry and transport unions, researchers, and Maritime Education and Training Providers (MET-NET).

“The new joint initiative strengthens the close cooperation between the unions and the industry. It aims to join forces, create synergies, enhance cooperation and bring together the social partners, policymakers, maritime education providers and research institutes. The Draghi report identifies a skills gap in the European economy, highlighting that 250.000 seafarers will need to be upskilled and reskilled by the mid-2030 in Europe alone for the green and digital transition. The European Maritime Skills Forum is an important step in building a future-proof training and education system for Europe’s maritime industry”, said Sotiris Raptis, Secretary General of ECSA.

“We created the EU Maritime Skills Forum as a tool to foster cooperation between the social partners, maritime stakeholders, policymakers, and maritime training institutions as we navigate the green and digital transformation of the Sector. At the heart of this transition, we want to put the human element – ensuring better working conditions, creating quality jobs, and making the profession more attractive and inclusive. By prioritising a just, human-centred approach, we can support seafarers through targeted upskilling and reskilling initiatives, leaving no one behind. This is essential to unlocking a sustainable and equitable future for maritime transport”, said Livia Spera, General Secretary of ETF.

The Forum builds on the outcomes of the EU-funded SkillSea project, which identified key challenges such as a shortage of maritime professionals, evolving skills demands, and the need for better cooperation among stakeholders. The Forum launched three workstreams focused on green skills, digitalisation, and leadership development, addressing issues like training for the safe use of new clean fuels, digital priorities such as cybersecurity and AI, and developing soft skills to enhance diversity, resilience, and inclusion in the sector. The workstreams will meet throughout the year to progress on the discussion and will report at the next Forum plenary meeting next year to discuss the next steps.