Page 8: of Marine News Magazine (September 2026)

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Insights

Digital Training

How Digital Training will

Attract ‘Crews of the Future’ © Damen

As tug operations become more complex, training needs to evolve with them. By combining digital simulation with practical experience and the knowledge of experienced seafarers, tug operators can give the next generation of crews the skills, con? dence and judgement they need for the challenges they will face at sea.

By Bianca Pielaat, Operations Director, Multraship Tug & Salvage

The very best and most highly skilled seafarers hone from digital training initiatives.

their craft through years of intense hands-on training that What the industry needs to do now is understand how ensures the most important aspects of their jobs – safety, to effectively combine its traditional sea-going experience communication and teamwork – are embedded into every with modern digital training procedures that will welcome moment of their time at sea. This experience brings sound and inspire the next generation of crews and seafarers, all technical knowledge, practical know-how and an under- while keeping those core aspects of their jobs – safety, com- standing of how to act during times of uncertainty and munication and teamwork – at the centre of their careers. unexpected moments.

Yet with changing times comes changing training practices.

Tug Vessel Challenges

The maritime industry is increasingly turning to new tech- We are already seeing this scenario play out for crews of nologies to enhance and improve the operational capabilities tug vessels. of their crews in safe and secure environments that allow for Over the past 20 years, smaller craft have become much mistakes to be made and scenarios to be mapped out. more powerful, more complex and more technologically

This approach is vital for an industry facing the wider pro? cient. Today’s tug vessels are have become increasingly issue of seafarer recruitment and retention. The most re- electronic. This has meant the capabilities of the crew have cent Seafarer Workforce Report 2026 from BIMCO and had to change signi? cantly, with many requiring a greater the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) highlighted understanding of digital diagnosis, onboard electrical sys- that the industry needs up to 114,000 of? cers by 2030 to tems and knowing how to ? x an issue with a keyboard operate an expanding global ? eet. Those recruits are, more instead of a spanner.

often than not, going to come from younger generations The operations these vessels undertake have also be- who are more adept and used to technology as part of their come more complex. Harbour towage now involves larger day-to-day lives, and are therefore more likely to thrive and larger vessels, while tugs and specialised craft are be- 8 | MN September 2026