Seafaring has been a cornerstone of human civilisation since ancient times, with mariners navigating rivers and seas to facilitate trade and exploration. As a vital artery of global trade, the maritime industry is undergoing significant transformation, driven by advancements in technology, digitalisation, adoption of greener fuels, and evolving regulations. For aspiring seafarers and seasoned professionals alike, this changing landscape presents a wealth of opportunities that are both challenging and rewarding.
As a ship management company dedicated to crew management services, we understand the importance of adapting to these changes. Anglo-Eastern’s 39,000+ seafarers embody a powerhouse of talent sourced from 65+ countries, many of whom are recruited and trained at Anglo-Eastern’s in-house establishments in 17 locations worldwide. Our human performance strategy spans the entire talent development cycle from recruitment and training to welfare and career advancement, and has contributed to a high retention rate of over 95% across our seafarer pool worldwide.
We believe that by recognising the trends shaping the industry and leveraging these developments, aspiring and existing seafarers can navigate the evolving job market, at sea and ashore.
Shifts in seafaring career paths
Traditionally, seafaring roles were defined by hands-on, physically demanding tasks such as navigation, engine maintenance, and cargo handling. Deck officers, engineers, and ratings formed the backbone of ship operations, relying on practical skills, maritime knowledge, and resilience to thrive in challenging environments. These roles required extensive training in areas like seamanship, maritime law, and safety protocols, often gained in maritime academies and through years at sea.
A normal career path for a seafarer typically follows a structured progression through ranks within the Deck, Engine, or Catering departments, requiring a combination of sea-time, training, certification, and experience.
Career progression requires passing competency exams and obtaining certifications aligned with international standards such as International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). The time to reach senior ranks varies but often takes several years, with typical sea-time requirements of about one to three years per rank. Career paths can vary by vessel type. Non-traditional paths may include moving between vessel types or sectors, or shifting from operational to shore-based roles such as superintendents, auditors, or maritime operations/management.
This structured progression ensures seafarers develop the necessary skills, experience, and certifications to take on increasing responsibilities and leadership roles within the maritime industry.
In modern times, new technologies and evolving regulations are reshaping seafaring career paths. While traditional roles remain essential, new positions demand a blend of technical expertise across different vessel types and fuel types, digital literacy, and adaptability to navigate the evolving landscape of the industry.
Besides addressing the potential skill shortages by facilitating upskilling opportunities, Anglo-Eastern also pays attention to its overall talent pipeline with the annual onboarding of an additional 500 trained officer trainees from its in-house academy, Anglo-Eastern Maritime Academy (AEMA), to its managed ships. This ensures a steady flow of seafarers that have relevant skillsets able to cater to Anglo-Eastern’s managed fleet across ship and fuel types, while also enabling the backfilling of positions and transitioning of talent for upskilling projects. Our Career Care Programme monitors and provides guidance to our seafarers about their career progression with specific focus on promotions to next professional level, transition from ratings to officers, re-skilling to a different type of vessel and transition to shore jobs.
Upskilling towards sustainability
The focus on sustainability within the maritime industry is more than just a trend – it is a response to climate change and regulatory requirements.Green fuels – including liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen, and ammonia – are gradually replacing heavy fuel oil, introducing new operational and safety challenges. For instance, LNG requires knowledge of cryogenic handling, while ammonia demands expertise in managing its toxicity and corrosiveness.
Seafarers who familiarise themselves with these new fuel types will be in high demand. Understanding the operational and safety requirements associated with these fuels is crucial as ship owners, operators and ship managers strive to comply with International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations.
Training providers, often in collaboration with industry players and classification societies like DNV or Lloyd’s Register, now offer courses on alternative fuels, preparing seafarers for next-generation vessels like Maersk’s methanol-powered container ships.
For example, Anglo-Eastern has developed dual-fuel handling, bunkering and dual-fuel engine training infrastructure at its flagship training centre, Anglo-Eastern Maritime Training Centre in Mumbai (AEMTC), with a variety of training offerings and facilities including simulators from MAN, WinGD and Wärtsilä, which places AE in a unique position to internally upskill its talent pool for alternative fuels and future proof their skills for technological advancements.
At AEMA, the first-of-its-kind LNG/Ammonia bunkering station skid offers a controlled environment for training on LNG and ammonia transfer operations, emergency response procedures, and regulatory compliance.
Environmental regulations, such as the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), mandate optimised fuel consumption and reduced emissions. This has spurred demand for energy efficiency officers, a new role focused on monitoring and improving a ship’s environmental performance. These positions require technical and regulatory expertise, offering a promising career path for environmentally conscious seafarers.
Emerging roles in digitalisation
Modern seafarers must adapt to technologies like automation, AI (Artificial Intelligence), and IoT (Internet of Things), which power smart ships, i.e. vessels that leverage advanced technologies for improved operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability, enabling advanced navigation and predictive maintenance systems.
The roles and responsibilities on vessels are expanding. Navigation officers now use electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS), requiring proficiency in digital tools alongside traditional seamanship. Engineers manage automated systems, such as predictive maintenance software, which leverages data analytics to anticipate equipment failures.
This shift demands new skills, including data interpretation, cybersecurity management, and operation of integrated bridge systems. Maritime academies have updated curricula to include digital navigation, automation, and data analysis, aligning with STCW revisions that now mandate competencies in electronic systems. Seafarers with digital expertise are in high demand, particularly for roles on more advanced vessels.
Digitalisation also opens shore-based opportunities, including maritime data analysts and cybersecurity specialists, addressing data management and cyber threats on connected vessels. These roles blend maritime knowledge with IT skills, offering a pathway for seafarers to transition from sea to shore while remaining in the industry.
Seafarers can diversify their skillsets through continuous learning and acquiring technical certifications, pursue career advancement on vessels, or transition to shore-based roles in maritime operations and maritime technology development, designing systems like digital twins or green propulsion, or in logistics, optimising supply chains with data-driven platforms.
Lifelong learning is a key to stay competitive. Seafarers can upskill through training centres to acquire online certifications in maritime cybersecurity, environmental compliance, etc. Embracing digital tools and continuous learning enables seafarers to shift from traditional roles to innovative positions, ensuring relevance in the evolving maritime industry.
Facilitating seafaring career advancement
To ensure its seafarers receive sufficient support and guidance on their career development, Anglo-Eastern has set up a Career Care team alongside the Career Care Program in 2024, a strategic initiative aimed at equipping seafarers with structured career pathways, personalised guidance, and future-ready skills to excel in a rapidly evolving maritime industry.
The Career Care team conducts weekly meetings with seafarers who have approached the team or are potentially qualified for promotions, provides these seafarers with guidance as well as assessments, and facilitates training backed by a wealth of training resources at AE’s in-house training centres and its online platform.
A Career Ladder Map is provided to each operational level officer on our mariner mobile application launched in 2016, the WeCare app. The map shows career milestones from where the seafarer started to their highest rank of Master or Chief Engineer, while providing details if they are lagging in career progression.
Being well aware of the evolution in the crewing space, the tightening talent pool, and the growing demands for diversified skillsets among seafarers, Anglo-Eastern is building a young and agile workforce in management-level positions at sea. Under this backdrop, the initiative Mission 30 is in place to provide career guidance, with the goal that 30% of our management-level officers at sea will be below the age of 30 by 2030. To this date, more than 5,000 operational-level officers and cadets at Anglo-Eastern have been contacted to enrol in Mission 30.
Anglo-Eastern has also launched a mentorship programme to provide support to its newly promoted or new-to-company management-level officers, where they are paired with well-respected peers as mentees and mentors.
To aid the transition of new cadets and trainees, a “buddy system” has been established among Anglo-Eastern’s seafarers. This initiative provides emotional support and guidance, helping them adjust to life at sea. Prior to deployment, mental health sessions are conducted, now including cadet parents to ensure a robust support network as they adapt to the challenges of maritime life.
In the Philippines, where seafaring also maintains a strong foothold, Anglo-Eastern’s Manila Office actively engages with the families of its seafarers through regular webinars. These sessions cover essential topics such as financial management, insurance, health, and mental well-being, fostering a supportive community for the families involved.
Another noteworthy industry initiative that Anglo-Eastern is a part of is the Adopt-A-Ship programme, which connects students with experienced seafarers, enhancing their understanding of the maritime industry and offering practical insights into operations at sea. Since its launch in 2006, the programme has expanded to multiple countries, aiming to reach 100,000 students in the Philippines by the 2024-2025 academic year, fostering maritime awareness and career interest among young students.
Networking and professional development
Networking plays a crucial role in the maritime industry. Attending conferences, joining professional organisations, and participating in training workshops are effective ways for seafarers to build connections and stay informed about industry developments. Online platforms, such as LinkedIn, also offer opportunities to connect with industry professionals worldwide, expanding horizons and career prospects.
The career landscape for modern seafarers is expanding. With the integration of digital technologies and the imperative for sustainability, the maritime industry is ripe with opportunities. By embracing these changes and proactively seeking growth, seafarers can craft successful and fulfilling careers.
If you are interested in knowing more about our services and offerings, including but not limited to ship management, crew management, newbuilding services, and innovative projects onboard our managed fleet, feel free to contact us.
