82% Of Maritime Professionals Say Current Training Fails To Prepare Crew For Digital Ship Operations

A survey highlights that the majority of maritime professionals say current training fails to prepare crew for the demands of digital ship operations.

A survey was conducted on maritime professionals across shipboard and shore-based roles by OneOcean and the maritime innovation consultancy Thetius in October 2026.

The survey highlights crew members’ insufficient preparation for the change and the complex digital environment they work in. OneOcean’s first report found that 82% of participants believe the current training models are inadequate for modern operations.

52% checked ‘often’ or ‘very often’ when asked if skilled crew struggle in practical operations, and 56% attest that the ‘tick-box’ compliance aids this gap. Only 18% believe the current training reflects the real-world day-to-day operations.

A distinct survey was conducted months apart in June 2026 by the World Maritime University and Lloyd’s Register Foundation that pointed out a similar gap.

The WMU report, commissioned by Lloyd’s Register Foundation, was based on a separate global survey of 532 maritime professionals from 64 countries and interviews with 110 stakeholders. Digital means like automated navigation and data-driven operations are improving, while training and certification frameworks are falling behind.

The WMU report found that more than 80% of crew members reportedly learn digital skills ‘rarely’ or ‘not at all’. Only 13% said shore training consistently matches the actual equipment used at sea. Limited funding and insufficient digitally skilled instructors are a cause of slow progress.

While digital tools have reshaped maritime operations, crew will need adequate formal training to use the modern technologies more effectively. WMU report calls for better global training standards.

According to World Maritime University, maritime education providers are responding to this progress, although it remains inconsistent. Training modules and formal courses need an update to fill the gap between the crew members’ skills and advanced digital knowledge.

As the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at OneOcean, Alex Mangan said the problem is “twofold”. While modern technology is changing rapidly, crew are receiving outdated and traditional training.

The WMU calls for the maritime sector to coordinate towards creating better global training standards, investment in a formal training update, and greater initiative from regulators and training providers.