GITNUXREPORT 2025

Upskilling And Reskilling In The Marine Industry Statistics

Majority prioritize digital upskilling, automation, and continuous training for maritime growth.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

62% of maritime companies have adopted Artificial Intelligence for operational decision-making

Statistic 2

68% of maritime companies report a shortage of skilled labor as a challenge to operational efficiency

Statistic 3

41% of maritime organizations have adopted blockchain-based solutions for supply chain management

Statistic 4

73% of maritime companies see digital transformation as boosting overall operational efficiency

Statistic 5

65% of marine companies have increased investment in employee training programs since 2020

Statistic 6

78% of mariners believe upskilling is crucial for career advancement

Statistic 7

52% of maritime firms have implemented digital skills training for crew members

Statistic 8

The global maritime industry’s reskilling market is projected to reach $1.2 billion by 2025

Statistic 9

45% of maritime employers report difficulties in finding qualified workers due to skill gaps

Statistic 10

72% of maritime companies offer online courses for crew training

Statistic 11

60% of ship operators have invested in automation training to adapt to industry changes

Statistic 12

54% of maritime employees participate in reskilling initiatives annually

Statistic 13

85% of maritime industry leaders agree that continuous upskilling is essential for competitive advantage

Statistic 14

The use of virtual reality training in maritime industry increased by 40% from 2021 to 2023

Statistic 15

59% of maritime students pursue additional certifications to enhance employability

Statistic 16

Only 36% of maritime workers feel adequately trained for new digital tools

Statistic 17

70% of maritime firms have introduced competency-based training programs in the past two years

Statistic 18

48% of maritime training programs now include sustainability and environmental compliance modules

Statistic 19

55% of crew members received upskilling training related to cybersecurity in 2022

Statistic 20

The global digital maritime training market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.1% from 2023 to 2030

Statistic 21

64% of maritime companies consider reskilling as a key strategy to reduce turnover rates

Statistic 22

49% of maritime apprenticeships now include modules on emerging green technologies

Statistic 23

80% of maritime training providers increased their digital offerings during the pandemic

Statistic 24

The average time spent on upskilling per employee in the maritime industry is 18 hours annually

Statistic 25

47% of seafarers report feeling unprepared for the technological changes in modern ships

Statistic 26

58% of maritime organizations support incentivizing continuous professional development among crews

Statistic 27

43% of maritime training institutions collaborate with technology providers for curriculum development

Statistic 28

85% of maritime companies plan to increase their investment in digital literacy training in the next year

Statistic 29

67% of mariners have completed safety and emergency response retraining in the past 12 months

Statistic 30

35% of maritime professionals believe their current skills are not sufficient for Industry 4.0 standards

Statistic 31

69% of maritime firms have implemented soft skills training such as leadership and communication

Statistic 32

73% of maritime companies use simulation technologies for crew training

Statistic 33

88% of maritime students see industry upskilling as necessary for future employment

Statistic 34

54% of current maritime workers have undergone reskilling or upskilling initiatives in the last three years

Statistic 35

66% of maritime employers have re-designed onboarding programs to include digital literacy

Statistic 36

44% of maritime educational institutions have increased funding for technical and digital skills programs

Statistic 37

51% of maritime companies see upskilling as critical to meeting regulatory compliance

Statistic 38

78% of maritime training providers are developing specialized courses in automation and AI

Statistic 39

57% of maritime companies promote continuous learning through mentorship and peer programs

Statistic 40

50% of seafarers believe digital skills training has improved their operational efficiency

Statistic 41

60% of maritime employers invest in cybersecurity awareness programs for their crews

Statistic 42

45% of new maritime recruits undertake initial digital competency assessments upon hiring

Statistic 43

72% of maritime companies offer incentives such as bonuses for skill development participation

Statistic 44

54% of maritime organizations have adopted remote training options to accommodate global crews

Statistic 45

67% of maritime educational programs now include modules on artificial intelligence and machine learning

Statistic 46

47% of maritime companies measure the ROI of training programs through performance and safety metrics

Statistic 47

55% of maritime industry employees believe that upskilling opportunities influence their job satisfaction

Statistic 48

49% of ship crews have participated in digital skills workshops

Statistic 49

69% of maritime workers feel that continuous learning is necessary to keep pace with industry advancements

Statistic 50

49% of maritime organizations have set clear KPIs linked to training outcomes

Statistic 51

53% of maritime educational institutions partner with industry stakeholders to develop relevant training content

Statistic 52

80% of maritime companies have experienced a reduction in incidents following upskilling initiatives

Statistic 53

38% of maritime professionals emphasize continuous digital competency assessment as part of their career development

Statistic 54

58% of maritime organizations leverage mobile learning platforms for crew training

Statistic 55

67% of maritime employers dedicate funds specifically for digital transformation training

Statistic 56

73% of new maritime workforce entrants receive training on sustainable practices before deployment

Statistic 57

55% of maritime companies utilize analytics to monitor and improve training effectiveness

Statistic 58

65% of seafarers believe that digital upskilling can lead to better safety outcomes onboard

Statistic 59

42% of maritime training providers have integrated gamification techniques into their courses

Statistic 60

80% of maritime industry leaders support policies to mandate continuous professional development

Statistic 61

60% of maritime companies plan to automate more routine tasks through upskilling efforts in the next three years

Statistic 62

72% of maritime organizations have implemented mentorship programs focused on upskilling

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Key Highlights

65% of marine companies have increased investment in employee training programs since 2020
78% of mariners believe upskilling is crucial for career advancement
52% of maritime firms have implemented digital skills training for crew members
The global maritime industry’s reskilling market is projected to reach $1.2 billion by 2025
45% of maritime employers report difficulties in finding qualified workers due to skill gaps
72% of maritime companies offer online courses for crew training
60% of ship operators have invested in automation training to adapt to industry changes
54% of maritime employees participate in reskilling initiatives annually
85% of maritime industry leaders agree that continuous upskilling is essential for competitive advantage
The use of virtual reality training in maritime industry increased by 40% from 2021 to 2023
59% of maritime students pursue additional certifications to enhance employability
68% of maritime companies report a shortage of skilled labor as a challenge to operational efficiency
Only 36% of maritime workers feel adequately trained for new digital tools

The maritime industry is navigating a transformative wave of upskilling and reskilling, with 65% of companies increasing training investments since 2020 and an expected $1.2 billion market by 2025, underscoring the vital role continuous learning plays in maintaining operational efficiency and competitive edge amid rapid technological advancements.

Automation and Technological Adoption

62% of maritime companies have adopted Artificial Intelligence for operational decision-making

Automation and Technological Adoption Interpretation

Despite the waves of skepticism, 62% of maritime companies chart a course with AI-driven decision-making, signaling that even in a traditionally conservative industry, digital upskilling is sailing full speed ahead.

Industry Challenges and Workforce Issues

68% of maritime companies report a shortage of skilled labor as a challenge to operational efficiency

Industry Challenges and Workforce Issues Interpretation

With 68% of maritime companies citing a skilled labor shortage, it's clear that investing in upskilling and reskilling isn't just crew development—it's maritime industry's current course correction for maintaining smooth sailing.

Investment and Digital Transformation

41% of maritime organizations have adopted blockchain-based solutions for supply chain management
73% of maritime companies see digital transformation as boosting overall operational efficiency

Investment and Digital Transformation Interpretation

With 41% of maritime firms embracing blockchain and 73% believing digital transformation enhances efficiency, the industry is charting a course where technology isn't just navigating the waves but steering the ship itself.

Skill Development and Upskilling

65% of marine companies have increased investment in employee training programs since 2020
78% of mariners believe upskilling is crucial for career advancement
52% of maritime firms have implemented digital skills training for crew members
The global maritime industry’s reskilling market is projected to reach $1.2 billion by 2025
45% of maritime employers report difficulties in finding qualified workers due to skill gaps
72% of maritime companies offer online courses for crew training
60% of ship operators have invested in automation training to adapt to industry changes
54% of maritime employees participate in reskilling initiatives annually
85% of maritime industry leaders agree that continuous upskilling is essential for competitive advantage
The use of virtual reality training in maritime industry increased by 40% from 2021 to 2023
59% of maritime students pursue additional certifications to enhance employability
Only 36% of maritime workers feel adequately trained for new digital tools
70% of maritime firms have introduced competency-based training programs in the past two years
48% of maritime training programs now include sustainability and environmental compliance modules
55% of crew members received upskilling training related to cybersecurity in 2022
The global digital maritime training market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.1% from 2023 to 2030
64% of maritime companies consider reskilling as a key strategy to reduce turnover rates
49% of maritime apprenticeships now include modules on emerging green technologies
80% of maritime training providers increased their digital offerings during the pandemic
The average time spent on upskilling per employee in the maritime industry is 18 hours annually
47% of seafarers report feeling unprepared for the technological changes in modern ships
58% of maritime organizations support incentivizing continuous professional development among crews
43% of maritime training institutions collaborate with technology providers for curriculum development
85% of maritime companies plan to increase their investment in digital literacy training in the next year
67% of mariners have completed safety and emergency response retraining in the past 12 months
35% of maritime professionals believe their current skills are not sufficient for Industry 4.0 standards
69% of maritime firms have implemented soft skills training such as leadership and communication
73% of maritime companies use simulation technologies for crew training
88% of maritime students see industry upskilling as necessary for future employment
54% of current maritime workers have undergone reskilling or upskilling initiatives in the last three years
66% of maritime employers have re-designed onboarding programs to include digital literacy
44% of maritime educational institutions have increased funding for technical and digital skills programs
51% of maritime companies see upskilling as critical to meeting regulatory compliance
78% of maritime training providers are developing specialized courses in automation and AI
57% of maritime companies promote continuous learning through mentorship and peer programs
50% of seafarers believe digital skills training has improved their operational efficiency
60% of maritime employers invest in cybersecurity awareness programs for their crews
45% of new maritime recruits undertake initial digital competency assessments upon hiring
72% of maritime companies offer incentives such as bonuses for skill development participation
54% of maritime organizations have adopted remote training options to accommodate global crews
67% of maritime educational programs now include modules on artificial intelligence and machine learning
47% of maritime companies measure the ROI of training programs through performance and safety metrics
55% of maritime industry employees believe that upskilling opportunities influence their job satisfaction
49% of ship crews have participated in digital skills workshops
69% of maritime workers feel that continuous learning is necessary to keep pace with industry advancements
49% of maritime organizations have set clear KPIs linked to training outcomes
53% of maritime educational institutions partner with industry stakeholders to develop relevant training content
80% of maritime companies have experienced a reduction in incidents following upskilling initiatives
38% of maritime professionals emphasize continuous digital competency assessment as part of their career development
58% of maritime organizations leverage mobile learning platforms for crew training
67% of maritime employers dedicate funds specifically for digital transformation training
73% of new maritime workforce entrants receive training on sustainable practices before deployment
55% of maritime companies utilize analytics to monitor and improve training effectiveness
65% of seafarers believe that digital upskilling can lead to better safety outcomes onboard
42% of maritime training providers have integrated gamification techniques into their courses
80% of maritime industry leaders support policies to mandate continuous professional development
60% of maritime companies plan to automate more routine tasks through upskilling efforts in the next three years
72% of maritime organizations have implemented mentorship programs focused on upskilling

Skill Development and Upskilling Interpretation

Amidst a tidal wave of digital transformation and skills gaps, the maritime industry is investing heavily—over $1.2 billion by 2025—proving that even ships are no longer sailing on autopilot when it comes to upskilling for safety, sustainability, and competitiveness.