GITNUXREPORT 2025

Upskilling And Reskilling In The Shipping Industry Statistics

Maritime industry invests heavily in upskilling, digital skills essential for future.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

40% of maritime workers fear job losses due to digital transformation

Statistic 2

80% of ship operators believe that remote management skills are critical for future success

Statistic 3

48% of maritime employees believe that digital upskilling will improve their job security

Statistic 4

66% of maritime managers see automation as an opportunity for workforce upskilling rather than job reduction

Statistic 5

69% of mariners feel that upskilling helps them adapt to new environmental regulations

Statistic 6

44% of industry stakeholders believe that automation will lead to significant shifts in employment types within the shipping sector

Statistic 7

The adoption of AI in shipping logistics is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13% through 2028

Statistic 8

50% of shipping companies plan to introduce AI-powered decision-support tools by 2025

Statistic 9

The implementation of blockchain in shipping logistics is accelerating, with 45% of companies exploring pilot projects

Statistic 10

79% of global shipping firms plan to increase their investment in digital onboarding processes in the next three years

Statistic 11

60% of maritime training providers increased their use of augmented reality (AR) tools in training in the past two years

Statistic 12

65% of shipping companies are investing more in employee upskilling programs due to automation

Statistic 13

The global maritime industry is expected to spend over $2 billion on training and development by 2025

Statistic 14

70% of shipping companies report a skills gap in digital skills among their staff

Statistic 15

55% of maritime training programs now include modules on cyber security

Statistic 16

Reskilling initiatives have increased by 30% in the shipping industry since 2021

Statistic 17

The average training hours per maritime employee increased from 15 to 22 hours annually between 2020 and 2023

Statistic 18

63% of shipping companies consider upskilling essential for implementing green shipping initiatives

Statistic 19

45% of maritime professionals have participated in at least one reskilling program in the past two years

Statistic 20

52% of shipping companies have partnerships with technical colleges for upskilling their workforce

Statistic 21

68% of new maritime hires now receive digital literacy training upon onboarding

Statistic 22

The number of online maritime training courses increased by 120% from 2020 to 2023

Statistic 23

75% of shipping executives believe that upskilling will be a key factor in industry competitiveness in the next decade

Statistic 24

The maritime industry workforce is projected to need 1.2 million new skilled workers by 2030 due to retirements and industry growth

Statistic 25

60% of shipping companies have implemented or are planning to implement virtual reality (VR) training modules

Statistic 26

Investment in maritime reskilling initiatives increased by 40% during the COVID-19 pandemic

Statistic 27

85% of shipping companies see upskilling as necessary to meet IMO environmental regulations

Statistic 28

The usage of maritime simulators for training has grown by 30% in the last three years

Statistic 29

72% of maritime students receive some form of digital skills training during their education

Statistic 30

The average age of crew members is increasing, with 27% over the age of 50, highlighting the need for targeted reskilling

Statistic 31

Freight forwarding companies that invest in digital skills training see a 25% increase in operational efficiency

Statistic 32

58% of maritime companies offer cross-training programs to diversify skills within their workforce

Statistic 33

80% of crew members agree that continuous learning improves safety on board ships

Statistic 34

47% of shipping companies report challenges in keeping their employees updated with rapidly evolving technology

Statistic 35

Organizations investing in upskilling and reskilling in shipping report a 35% reduction in staff turnover

Statistic 36

90% of maritime training providers intend to expand digital learning platforms over the next two years

Statistic 37

55% of shipping companies see upskilling as vital for compliance with IMO carbon reduction targets

Statistic 38

73% of maritime educators believe that virtual reality will become a standard component of training programs by 2026

Statistic 39

62% of shipping companies have increased their budget for employee training by more than 20% since 2020

Statistic 40

81% of maritime companies value soft skills, such as leadership and communication, as essential to upskilling efforts

Statistic 41

58% of maritime organizations have implemented or plan to implement ongoing e-learning programs for staff

Statistic 42

The global maritime workforce training market is projected to reach $5.8 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 9.2%

Statistic 43

72% of shipping industry leaders agree that digital transformation depends heavily on workforce upskilling

Statistic 44

The average time taken for maritime upskilling programs increased from 8 weeks to 12 weeks during 2021-2023 to ensure comprehensive skill development

Statistic 45

82% of maritime companies believe that reskilling can help mitigate impacts of technological disruption

Statistic 46

67% of shipping companies have dedicated budgets specifically for upskilling and reskilling initiatives

Statistic 47

54% of maritime organizations cite lack of skilled trainers as a barrier to effective upskilling

Statistic 48

The number of maritime apprenticeships increased by 50% from 2020 to 2023, indicating a focus on skill development

Statistic 49

73% of maritime companies have integrated digital simulation tools into their regular training curriculum

Statistic 50

46% of crew members perceive digital upskilling as a pathway to leadership roles

Statistic 51

The integration of autonomous ships has accelerated the need for specialized technical upskilling, with 55% of shipping firms investing in such training programs

Statistic 52

Shipping companies that provide leadership training see a 15% increase in team productivity

Statistic 53

70% of upskilled employees report higher job satisfaction and engagement

Statistic 54

88% of maritime organizations regard continuous training as essential for safety and compliance

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Key Highlights

65% of shipping companies are investing more in employee upskilling programs due to automation
40% of maritime workers fear job losses due to digital transformation
The global maritime industry is expected to spend over $2 billion on training and development by 2025
70% of shipping companies report a skills gap in digital skills among their staff
The adoption of AI in shipping logistics is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13% through 2028
55% of maritime training programs now include modules on cyber security
Reskilling initiatives have increased by 30% in the shipping industry since 2021
80% of ship operators believe that remote management skills are critical for future success
The average training hours per maritime employee increased from 15 to 22 hours annually between 2020 and 2023
63% of shipping companies consider upskilling essential for implementing green shipping initiatives
45% of maritime professionals have participated in at least one reskilling program in the past two years
52% of shipping companies have partnerships with technical colleges for upskilling their workforce
68% of new maritime hires now receive digital literacy training upon onboarding

With the maritime industry investing over $2 billion in training by 2025 and 70% of companies highlighting a skills gap in digital literacy, the rapidly evolving landscape of upskilling and reskilling initiatives is transforming shipping into a smarter, safer, and more sustainable sector.

Industry Sentiment and Workforce Perception

40% of maritime workers fear job losses due to digital transformation
80% of ship operators believe that remote management skills are critical for future success
48% of maritime employees believe that digital upskilling will improve their job security
66% of maritime managers see automation as an opportunity for workforce upskilling rather than job reduction
69% of mariners feel that upskilling helps them adapt to new environmental regulations
44% of industry stakeholders believe that automation will lead to significant shifts in employment types within the shipping sector

Industry Sentiment and Workforce Perception Interpretation

As the shipping industry navigates the digital wave, nearly half of maritime workers fear job losses while a majority see upskilling and automation as crucial anchors for future security and adaptability, signaling a transformational voyage from traditional roles to digitally empowered crews.

Technological Adoption and Innovation

The adoption of AI in shipping logistics is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13% through 2028
50% of shipping companies plan to introduce AI-powered decision-support tools by 2025
The implementation of blockchain in shipping logistics is accelerating, with 45% of companies exploring pilot projects
79% of global shipping firms plan to increase their investment in digital onboarding processes in the next three years
60% of maritime training providers increased their use of augmented reality (AR) tools in training in the past two years

Technological Adoption and Innovation Interpretation

As the shipping industry charts a course toward a digital future, with AI and blockchain gaining momentum and mariners learning through AR, it's clear that navigation now depends as much on algorithms and virtual tools as on traditional sails—making upskilling and reskilling the new compass for navigating global logistics in the 21st century.

Workforce Development and Skills Training

65% of shipping companies are investing more in employee upskilling programs due to automation
The global maritime industry is expected to spend over $2 billion on training and development by 2025
70% of shipping companies report a skills gap in digital skills among their staff
55% of maritime training programs now include modules on cyber security
Reskilling initiatives have increased by 30% in the shipping industry since 2021
The average training hours per maritime employee increased from 15 to 22 hours annually between 2020 and 2023
63% of shipping companies consider upskilling essential for implementing green shipping initiatives
45% of maritime professionals have participated in at least one reskilling program in the past two years
52% of shipping companies have partnerships with technical colleges for upskilling their workforce
68% of new maritime hires now receive digital literacy training upon onboarding
The number of online maritime training courses increased by 120% from 2020 to 2023
75% of shipping executives believe that upskilling will be a key factor in industry competitiveness in the next decade
The maritime industry workforce is projected to need 1.2 million new skilled workers by 2030 due to retirements and industry growth
60% of shipping companies have implemented or are planning to implement virtual reality (VR) training modules
Investment in maritime reskilling initiatives increased by 40% during the COVID-19 pandemic
85% of shipping companies see upskilling as necessary to meet IMO environmental regulations
The usage of maritime simulators for training has grown by 30% in the last three years
72% of maritime students receive some form of digital skills training during their education
The average age of crew members is increasing, with 27% over the age of 50, highlighting the need for targeted reskilling
Freight forwarding companies that invest in digital skills training see a 25% increase in operational efficiency
58% of maritime companies offer cross-training programs to diversify skills within their workforce
80% of crew members agree that continuous learning improves safety on board ships
47% of shipping companies report challenges in keeping their employees updated with rapidly evolving technology
Organizations investing in upskilling and reskilling in shipping report a 35% reduction in staff turnover
90% of maritime training providers intend to expand digital learning platforms over the next two years
55% of shipping companies see upskilling as vital for compliance with IMO carbon reduction targets
73% of maritime educators believe that virtual reality will become a standard component of training programs by 2026
62% of shipping companies have increased their budget for employee training by more than 20% since 2020
81% of maritime companies value soft skills, such as leadership and communication, as essential to upskilling efforts
58% of maritime organizations have implemented or plan to implement ongoing e-learning programs for staff
The global maritime workforce training market is projected to reach $5.8 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 9.2%
72% of shipping industry leaders agree that digital transformation depends heavily on workforce upskilling
The average time taken for maritime upskilling programs increased from 8 weeks to 12 weeks during 2021-2023 to ensure comprehensive skill development
82% of maritime companies believe that reskilling can help mitigate impacts of technological disruption
67% of shipping companies have dedicated budgets specifically for upskilling and reskilling initiatives
54% of maritime organizations cite lack of skilled trainers as a barrier to effective upskilling
The number of maritime apprenticeships increased by 50% from 2020 to 2023, indicating a focus on skill development
73% of maritime companies have integrated digital simulation tools into their regular training curriculum
46% of crew members perceive digital upskilling as a pathway to leadership roles
The integration of autonomous ships has accelerated the need for specialized technical upskilling, with 55% of shipping firms investing in such training programs
Shipping companies that provide leadership training see a 15% increase in team productivity
70% of upskilled employees report higher job satisfaction and engagement
88% of maritime organizations regard continuous training as essential for safety and compliance

Workforce Development and Skills Training Interpretation

As automation and digital transformation surge in the shipping industry, over two billion dollars and an army of upskilled professionals are steering this maritime evolution—proving that in a sea of change, knowledge remains the ship's most valuable cargo.