The Maritime Labour Market in Transition

Abstract

The research explores the relationship between the spreading of digital technologies and the maritime labour market. The field of investigation focused on the transport sector in the European and Italian contexts. Firstly, the reasons and main features of the maritime employment crisis are discussed, with particular regard to crew shortage, lack of generational turnover and mismatch. Secondly, the current transition from on-board work to shore-based work is highlighted. The aim of the study is twofold. Primarily, the author intends to illustrate the implications of the spreading of new navigation technologies on the maritime labour market and to investigate the possible developments of the sea-to-land transition. Moreover, the intent is to encourage reflection on how to address the current and future issues that the maritime labour market is facing. The analysis and proposals are divided between the current/short-term situation and the future/long-term issues (that will require completely new actions).