Shipping’s digital ambitions may be held back less by technology itself and more by the industry’s ability to use it effectively.
That was the message from Dr. Kyriacos Pavlou, Course Director of the Diploma in Digital Transformation in Shipping, Managing Partner of Electi Consulting and Director of Electi Academy, who believes many organisations continue to mistake technology adoption for true digital transformation. While shipping companies are investing heavily in artificial intelligence, analytics and other digital tools, the expected benefits do not always follow.
“The problem is not everyone is focusing on the adoption of technology. That is not the same as the correct utilisation of the technology,” Dr. Pavlou said.
Drawing on his experience in digital transformation, data analytics and maritime education, he believes many challenges stem from organisational culture, business processes and workforce capabilities rather than technical shortcomings.
Data literacy remains the missing foundation
According to Dr. Pavlou, one of the most significant barriers to successful digitalisation is a widespread lack of data literacy.
“The fundamental underpinning of all these technologies is data literacy,” he said. “The ability to read, to have a feel, to appreciate, to interrogate data, understand what the life cycle and the format is, and how that kind of data can be used to derive intelligence and knowledge.”
He stressed that maritime professionals do not need to become data scientists. However, they must understand how data is collected, assessed and used to support decision-making.
Shipping companies today generate vast quantities of operational information. Yet having access to data does not automatically produce better decisions. Dr. Pavlou noted that experienced personnel often rely on operational instincts developed over many years, but data can reveal patterns and relationships that may not be visible through observation alone.
Beyond data literacy, he also identified cybersecurity awareness and a practical understanding of AI systems as important capability gaps across both ship and shore teams.
“There is a fundamental lack of, and it is persistent, of data literacy,” he said. “This is across everyone.”
Future-ready professionals need digital fluency and adaptability
When discussing the workforce of the future, Dr. Pavlou grouped the required competencies into three broad areas.
The first is digital and data fluency. Maritime professionals need a working understanding of how information flows through organisations, how systems communicate with one another and how analytical tools generate outputs.
The second area is domain-specific knowledge. He pointed to decarbonisation regulations, emissions monitoring requirements and emerging autonomous vessel technologies as subjects that will demand new expertise from engineers, officers and shore-based personnel.
The third area is adaptability.
“The professionals who remain relevant are not the ones who know the most today,” Dr. Pavlou said. “What sets them apart is that they have the background, the mentality and are best equipped to learn new things and continually adapt and continually learn.”
While AI and automation continue to attract attention, he does not believe they will replace the need for human expertise.
Instead, he expects routine tasks to be automated while people focus on higher-value responsibilities such as judgement, supervision and critical assessment.
“We shouldn’t approach AI as something that’s going to replace everything,” he said. “It is a tool that is going to help us with different day-to-day and menial processes.”
In his view, the future maritime professional will combine digital understanding with operational experience and interpersonal skills that technology cannot replicate.
Building a culture of continuous learning
For shipping companies seeking to strengthen digital capabilities, Dr. Pavlou believes training programmes alone are not enough.
He argued that organisations should begin with clear communication about why change is needed and what outcomes they hope to achieve. Too often, companies treat learning as a compliance exercise or a periodic event rather than an ongoing process.
One approach he favours is peer-led learning through which digitally confident employees help colleagues develop new skills.
“You use existing personnel, employees to disseminate knowledge,” he said. “This builds credibility.”
He also stressed that training should be tailored to specific job roles and linked directly to daily operational challenges. Leadership participation is equally important. When managers openly engage in learning and discuss their own questions about new technologies, it helps create a culture where continuous development feels normal.
Looking ahead, Dr. Pavlou urged maritime leaders to focus less on chasing the latest technology trend and more on understanding the problems they are trying to solve.
“Many organisations are still acquiring tools before they have clearly defined what the problem is,” he said.
His final message was directed at both leaders and employees. Curiosity, ownership and a willingness to learn will matter as much as technical knowledge.
“They shouldn’t be afraid of tech,” Dr. Pavlou said. “They should approach it with a learning curiosity.”
For an industry investing heavily in digital transformation, that mindset is just as valuable as the technology itself.
Lloyd’s Maritime Academy: Equipping Professionals for Digital Transformation
To address these challenges, Lloyd’s Maritime Academy offers specialised courses designed to build the skills maritime professionals need to thrive in a digitalised industry. Programmes such as the Certificate in Big Data in Shipping, Certificate in Maritime Artificial Intelligence, Certificate in Maritime Cybersecurity and Diploma in Digital Transformation in Shipping provide practical insights into leveraging data, artificial intelligence, and digital tools effectively.
These courses focus on bridging the gap between technology adoption and utilisation, helping participants develop data literacy, cybersecurity awareness, and a deeper understanding of AI systems. By combining technical knowledge with industry-specific applications, Lloyd’s Maritime Academy empowers professionals to drive meaningful digital transformation across the maritime sector.
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