BACKGROUND

The maritime industry is under growing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, with the IMO targeting at least a 50% reduction in GHG emissions by 2050. While technological upgrades and digital tools can greatly enhance vessel energy efficiency, human factors play a pivotal role in realizing these gains.

Crew decisions on speed, routing, engine load, and maintenance directly impact fuel consumption and emissions. However, energy-efficient operations often require shifts in behaviour, adoption of new tools, and real-time decision-making that is not always supported by current training frameworks.

SIGNIFICANCE OF PROBLEM

Despite available technologies and operational strategies that can reduce GHG emissions, their effectiveness is often weakened by: 

• Lack of practical knowledge among crew regarding energy-efficient practices like slow steaming, trim optimization, and hull maintenance.
• Resistance to operational changes, especially when perceived as increasing workload or risk.
• Low digital literacy, limiting effective use of AI-driven routing, performance dashboards, and compliance tools.
• Inconsistent training standards across operators and regions.
• Minimal incentive alignment for crew to prioritize energy performance.

Without effective and engaging training, even the best digital and technical solutions risk underperformance and low ROI.

POTENTIAL MARKET SIZE

The global maritime training and simulation market was valued at around $1.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to exceed $2 billion by 2030, growing at 7 to 10% annually. Key drivers include: 

• Mandatory requirements for certification and continuous training (e.g., STCW, SEEMP III). 
• Increasing complexity of digital tools and compliance systems. Rising demand for easy-to-use, engaging, modular, and scalable solutions. 
• Rising demand for green skills as part of ESG and decarbonization efforts. 

Energy efficiency training is an emerging sub-segment—expected to grow rapidly due to IMO compliance pressures and the operational cost savings associated with trained crews. 

EXISTING EFFORTS

While some initiatives exist, they are fragmented and inconsistent in depth and scale: 

• IMO’s Global Maritime Training Institutions provide basic environmental awareness but limited hands-on digital or energy efficiency content. 
• Some companies offer AR/VR-based simulators for voyage planning or engine handling (e.g., Kongsberg Digital, Wartsila Voyage). 
• In-house training modules by major ship operators focus on standard operating procedures but often lack gamification or dynamic feedback. 
• Newer startups are emerging with gamified apps and microlearning platforms, but adoption remains limited. 

A gap remains in scalable, engaging, and context-aware training focused on behaviour change, digital literacy, and onboard decision-making.