As the maritime industry embraces smarter ships and greener practices, seafarers are caught between rapid tech adoption and evolving regulations, leading to a growing wave of technostress.
The maritime industry is undergoing a period of rapid digital transformation, driven by autonomous systems and smart technologies. While these innovations enhance operational efficiency and support climate goals, they have also introduced a significant new challenge – technostress among seafarers.
Digital innovations such as autonomous vessels, emissions-reducing technologies and increasingly complex regulatory frameworks are reshaping how maritime operations function.
While these advancements bring clear benefits, they also demand that seafarers continuously adapt to new systems, often with limited support.
Technostress refers to the psychological strain experienced when adapting to new and evolving technologies. In the maritime context, it includes the challenges of learning new digital systems, managing increased workloads and coping with the pace of technological change.
In response, maritime companies have begun restructuring operations, introducing advanced technologies alongside enhanced training programs to help crews adapt.
However, technostress is still a critical concern, affecting both individual wellbeing and safety at sea.
Tehcno-overload
According to the “Transport 2040 : Impact of Technology on Seafarers – The Future of Work” report by the World Maritime University (WMU), the rapid introduction of new shipboard technologies has significantly impacted crew workload and well-being. Many crew members are unprepared to handle technical issues, especially with complex software systems.
They often find troubleshooting easier on older vessels and feel overwhelmed by the numerous procedures required to resolve issues on modern ships.
Techno-complexity further exacerbates the situation
Some systems are so intricate that they require over a week of training to understand. Crew members may need to operate six to eight different systems daily, each with numerous functions and frequent alarms, including those that go off at night, forcing individuals to respond alone during rest hours.
The constant monitoring, flood of onscreen data and steep learning curve create high stress, especially for newer or less experienced crew members.
Techno-invasion adds to the burden
Seafarers report a loss of privacy, as technology extends beyond working hours into their personal space, especially troubling given that the ship is also their home. Nightly alarms, whether real or false, continue to disturb rest periods, adding to overall stress.
Techno-uncertainty also plays a role
Constant updates and changes in systems foster feelings of anxiety and frustration. Crew members express fear of using unfamiliar technologies and making mistakes, such as pressing the wrong button or accidentally losing data, symptoms of growing techno-anxiety on board.
According to the WMU report, seafarers are under increasing pressure to rapidly acquire new skills. Decarbonization technologies and shifting regulatory regimes are identified as a major source of stress.
A lack of standardization across environmental legislation is contributing to fear among seafarers of making administrative mistakes.
The report warns that this can lead to serious consequences for mental health and wellbeing, citing increased levels of anxiety and mental fatigue.
Furthermore, findings from the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) 2024 survey on the impact of maritime decarbonization on wellbeing, support these concerns.
The survey highlights the psychological burden placed on crews operating in high-risk environments with constantly evolving technologies, emphasizing the need to explicitly recognize the mental health implications of continuous adaptation.
ISWAN’s survey found that nearly one-third (32.8%) of seafarers expressed concern about the risk of criminalization due to unintentional breaches of overlapping environmental rules.
While some seafarers reported feeling motivated by contributing to climate solutions, others indicated that the additional workload and stress were negatively affecting their willingness to continue working at sea.
For 26.5% of respondents, decarbonization positively influenced their commitment to the industry, however, 21.3% reported the opposite. These figures reflect the dual nature of the green transition, offering purpose to some but placing unsustainable pressure on others.
Training and capacity building are widely recognized as critical for the effective use of new technologies. However, crew members often receive either very basic training or none at all.
Furthermore, while technostress has broad implications due to the pervasive use of technology, awareness of its occupational safety and health consequences remains limited among seafarers.
According to ISWAN, employers should:
Technostress has emerged as a serious challenge, affecting seafarers’ mental health, performance and long-term engagement with the profession.
Addressing the issue requires a proactive, inclusive approach that prioritizes mental health, ongoing training and support, as well as crew feedback.
Without this, the human cost of innovation may outweigh its intended gains.
