<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">As ship technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, carriers must focus on recruiting, training, and retaining mariners. Key to that effort is using technological advances to enhance mariners’ job satisfaction.</div>

As ship technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, carriers must focus on recruiting, training, and retaining mariners. Key to that effort is using technological advances to enhance mariners’ job satisfaction.

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<div class="phx-topic">This commentary appeared in the print edition of the Jan. 6, 2020, Journal of Commerce Annual Review and Outlook.Advancements in technology have changed the shipping industry as ships are becoming more and more technically sophisticated. Technology will not, however, replace mariners any time soon. Men and women will continue to operate technologically advanced ships, and those men and women will need increasingly sophisticated technical skills.Recruiting and retaining mariners with the necessary technical skills remains one of the maritime industry’s biggest challenges. The industry must adapt, along with advances in technology, to make shipboard careers attractive options for skilled men and women.Legislation and regulations lag far behind advances in technology. Inspired leadership is needed to evaluate the effects of technological advances and to take advantage of their use in enhancing mariners’ job satisfaction. Technology may be employed to improve seafarers’ job satisfaction and well-being. More occupational health research is needed to better understand the effects of new technologies on mariners — including factors such as fatigue, mental health, stress, and diet. Automation of immigration formalities in seaports (such as those in place in airports) would improve seafarers’ important shore leave opportunities. The impact of shore leave and ship board socialization will remain major contributors to seafarers’ job satisfaction and wellbeing. Advances in simulation and e-learning will improve mariners’ professional skills.Today’s shipboard career entrants consider internet access a basic human right. Providing internet access to mariners on board will improve job satisfaction and mental health if used responsibly. However, care should be exercised to prevent internet use from inhibiting shipboard socialization, and cyberbullying and harassment must be strictly prohibited.The Seamen’s Church Institute is committed to provide thought leadership globally on the mariner workplace and mariner quality of life with an integrative approach connecting its work in the maritime industry to fields like law, education, occupational health, and public policy.</div>

This commentary appeared in the print edition of the Jan. 6, 2020, Journal of Commerce Annual Review and Outlook. Advancements in technology have changed the shipping industry as ships are becoming more and more technically sophisticated. Technology will not, however, replace mariners any time soon. Men and women will continue to operate technologically advanced ships, and those men and women will need increasingly sophisticated technical skills. Recruiting and retaining mariners with the necessary technical skills remains one of the maritime industry’s biggest challenges. The industry must adapt, along with advances in technology, to make shipboard careers attractive options for skilled men and women. Legislation and regulations lag far behind advances in technology. Inspired leadership is needed to evaluate the effects of technological advances and to take advantage of their use in enhancing mariners’ job satisfaction. Technology may be employed to improve seafarers’ job satisfaction and well-being. More occupational health research is needed to better understand the effects of new technologies on mariners — including factors such as fatigue, mental health, stress, and diet. Automation of immigration formalities in seaports (such as those in place in airports) would improve seafarers’ important shore leave opportunities. The impact of shore leave and ship board socialization will remain major contributors to seafarers’ job satisfaction and wellbeing. Advances in simulation and e-learning will improve mariners’ professional skills. Today’s shipboard career entrants consider internet access a basic human right. Providing internet access to mariners on board will improve job satisfaction and mental health if used responsibly. However, care should be exercised to prevent internet use from inhibiting shipboard socialization, and cyberbullying and harassment must be strictly prohibited. The Seamen’s Church Institute is committed to provide thought leadership globally on the mariner workplace and mariner quality of life with an integrative approach connecting its work in the maritime industry to fields like law, education, occupational health, and public policy.

<topic id="b80e152c-96bc-4a71-93c6-821a138b81fb"><title>Rev. David M. Rider, President &amp; Executive Director, Seamen’s Church Institute</title><summary>As ship technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, carriers must focus on recruiting, training, and retaining mariners. Key to that effort is using technological advances to enhance mariners’ job satisfaction.</summary><body>This commentary appeared in the print edition of the Jan. 6, 2020, Journal of Commerce Annual Review and Outlook.Advancements in technology have changed the shipping industry as ships are becoming more and more technically sophisticated. Technology will not, however, replace mariners any time soon. Men and women will continue to operate technologically advanced ships, and those men and women will need increasingly sophisticated technical skills.Recruiting and retaining mariners with the necessary technical skills remains one of the maritime industry’s biggest challenges. The industry must adapt, along with advances in technology, to make shipboard careers attractive options for skilled men and women.Legislation and regulations lag far behind advances in technology. Inspired leadership is needed to evaluate the effects of technological advances and to take advantage of their use in enhancing mariners’ job satisfaction. Technology may be employed to improve seafarers’ job satisfaction and well-being. More occupational health research is needed to better understand the effects of new technologies on mariners — including factors such as fatigue, mental health, stress, and diet. Automation of immigration formalities in seaports (such as those in place in airports) would improve seafarers’ important shore leave opportunities. The impact of shore leave and ship board socialization will remain major contributors to seafarers’ job satisfaction and wellbeing. Advances in simulation and e-learning will improve mariners’ professional skills.Today’s shipboard career entrants consider internet access a basic human right. Providing internet access to mariners on board will improve job satisfaction and mental health if used responsibly. However, care should be exercised to prevent internet use from inhibiting shipboard socialization, and cyberbullying and harassment must be strictly prohibited.The Seamen’s Church Institute is committed to provide thought leadership globally on the mariner workplace and mariner quality of life with an integrative approach connecting its work in the maritime industry to fields like law, education, occupational health, and public policy.</body></topic>

Rev. David M. Rider, President &amp; Executive Director, Seamen’s Church Institute

Rev. David M. Rider, President & Executive Director, Seamen’s Church Institute