One of the most pressing challenges facing the maritime sector today is environmental sustainability. Challenged to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, the industry is under immense pressure to adopt more eco-friendly practices. And while all-electric and hybrid leisure yachts, short-range ferries and Offshore Support Vessels (OSVs) are not that rare anymore, it’s encouraging to see an increasing number of larger hybrid ships in build and as well. Currently, Damen is busy with four battery hybrid-ready combi freighter newbuilds while ASENAV in Chile is building a unique exploration cruise ship, specifically designed to operate in Antarctica.
This is positive news not just from an environmental point of view. Hybrid ships offer fuel savings of 15-25% compared to diesel-powered vessels, with lower maintenance costs (given the reduced wear and tear on gensets) and significantly lower operating noise.
However, the road to fully transforming the maritime sector isn’t as simple as installing a battery and redesigning propulsion systems. Ports, terminals, and shoreside operations must evolve to accommodate this new breed of ‘green’ vessel too.
The Infrastructure Shoreside Challenge
The most obvious challenge is the necessary shoreside infrastructure update. New electrical distribution and charging systems (something like the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) that trucks use but able to ‘communicate’ with the various dedicated Energy Management Systems (EMS) of the hybrid fleet), for example, would be an essential requirement. Transformers, switch gear and potential modifications to piers and docks will also be necessary to accommodate vessel charging stations. And CAPEX on that level comes with a hefty price tag.
Reskilling the Workforce
An even more pressing challenge than the technology itself, however, is the human capital needed to support it. According to a study by the Maritime Just Transition Task Force, some 800,000 seafarers and shoreside crew will require reskilling by the mid-2030s to handle the demands of hybrid and electric vessels.
Ports and shipyards will need highly qualified technicians, fitters, and welders trained in these new technologies, and that’s where a significant skills gap has already emerged.
Talent shortages are already apparent across key disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering; skills relating to the storage, handling, transportation and use of alternative maritime fuels; as well as niche expertise around lightweight materials, software and digital technologies and highly specialised manufacturing techniques. The health and safety aspect of designing and operating shoreside facilities geared to service eco-friendly fleet will also emerge as a priority. Demand for naval architects and design engineers experienced in designing low-carbon, ultra-efficient vessels will keep growing. To put it simply, new and different skills not commonly available now will become more and more critical and not planning for them now can seriously impact future growth and relevance of a facility.
Staying Relevant in the Hybrid Era
For ports, shipyards, and refit facilities looking to stay relevant over the next decade, the focus should be on people. Now is the time to assess what skills you need and where you need to invest in training. Developing in-house expertise in high-demand areas like alternative fuel systems, high-voltage systems, and automation technology is critical. As the industry transforms, these specialised skills will become simultaneously more critical and harder-to-find. And this is exactly where Proteus Professionals can assist.
The hybrid revolution is here, and it’s moving fast. Is your workforce ready to power it?
