AS the global shipping industry pivots toward a future defined by automation and decarbonization, the maritime sector must ensure that technological leaps do not leave the “human element” in the wake.
This was the central message of Vice Admiral Eduardo Ma. R. Santos, president of the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP), during the recently concluded Safety at Sea forum held in the nation’s capital.
Addressing a room of industry stakeholders, regulators, and educators, Santos cautioned that while digitalization offers unprecedented tools for efficiency, it remains a secondary partner to human expertise.
“Technology can enhance decision-making and reduce routine workload, but it cannot replace human judgment, responsibility, or wisdom,” Santos said.
The retired naval officer called for a “fundamental shift” in how the next generation of Filipino seafarers is molded. He argued that the traditional reliance on rote memorization is no longer sufficient for the complexities of modern bridges and engine rooms.
Instead, Santos advocated for a curriculum centered on “automation literacy” — training that ensures officers understand not just how a system works, but how it fails.
“Our professionals must be agile. They need to understand system capabilities and failure modes, mastering the manual fallback procedures required when technology inevitably falters,” he added.
To achieve this, the MAAP chief proposed that training institutions adopt more simulation-based and failure-driven exercises. He emphasized that safety is not a singular event but the “product of many small, consistent, and correct decisions.”
Santos outlined several pillars for the industry to focus on:
– Human Factor Integration: Embedding situational awareness, fatigue management, and resilience into core training.
– Safety Culture: Urging companies to prioritize a “reporting culture” where near-misses are shared as lessons rather than punished, noting that “profit should never be prioritized over safety.”
– Well-being: Acknowledging that as ships become more complex and integrated, the mental and physical health of the seafarer becomes even more critical to operational safety.
The forum served as a platform for Santos to challenge shipowners, managers, and regulators to work in closer harmony. He noted that maintaining consistent standards across diverse, multinational fleets requires a level of collaboration that matches the pace of the industry’s digital transition.
In his closing remarks, Santos reminded the audience that the ultimate safety net of any vessel is the person at the helm.
“As ships grow smarter, we must ensure our seafarers grow wiser,” Santos concluded. “Ultimately, it is the human element that makes the decisive difference at sea.”
