Brussels, Belgium. Cyprus used its participation in the European Maritime Skills Forum this week to advocate stronger maritime education and workforce development, aligning the message with its EU Council Presidency agenda. The Deputy Ministry of Shipping said investment in people remains essential to the sector’s resilience and competitiveness.
Cyprus Presidency focus on seafarers
The Deputy Ministry of Shipping said it contributed actively to discussions on maritime education and the development of human resources in the European shipping industry. It said the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU has, from the outset, placed seafarers at the heart of maritime competitiveness, promoting initiatives such as the Nicosia Declaration to upgrade skills, strengthen inclusion and create development prospects in support of the green and digital transition.
Industry and union commitment to training
The ministry reiterated that, with the resilience of the maritime sector in focus, investment in people remains a key prerequisite for a modern and competitive shipping industry. The statement came as European Shipowners and the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) reaffirmed their joint commitment to the upskilling and reskilling of seafarers during the forum’s second plenary session.
Skills needs highlighted in reports and strategy
According to the Draghi report, around 250,000 seafarers in Europe will need to be upskilled or reskilled over the next decade. The recently published European Industrial Maritime Strategy pointed to the need to identify current and future skills gaps and develop targeted training programmes for the maritime workforce.
Forum recommendations and leadership comments
The European Maritime Skills Forum, a joint initiative of ETF and European Shipowners ECSA, brings together industry, transport unions, seafarers, policymakers and maritime training centres across Europe under the umbrella of the Maritime Education and Training Network (MET-NET). During the Brussels plenary, its workstreams presented a first set of recommendations on green skills, digital skills, and leadership and inclusion.
Livia Spera, general secretary of the ETF, said “seafarers must be at the centre of every decision we make about the transition ahead,” while stressing that upskilling and reskilling programmes must be concrete, inclusive and fit for purpose.
What steps do you think should be prioritised to close skills gaps for Europe’s seafarers?
