Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation, and robotics are rapidly transforming the maritime industry. What once sounded like science fiction — fully autonomous ships without crews — is now a reality in testing, particularly in countries like Norway and Japan. This raises an important question: which shipboard professions are at risk of becoming obsolete in the next few decades? And will there still be a place for the electro-technical officer (ETO) on future vessels?
Maritime Professions at Risk of Disappearing
1. Helmsman and Navigational Watch Officers
AI-powered navigation systems can already chart optimal routes, avoid collisions, and even dock with impressive precision. In the coming decades, the need for human intervention in navigation may be drastically reduced, especially for routine voyages or coastal operations.
2. Cooks and Galley Staff
On ships with smaller crews — or fully autonomous vessels — galley operations could be handled by automated systems. Ready-made meals, robotic food preparation, and automated cleaning may eventually replace the need for onboard cooks.
3. Deck Ratings (Able Seamen, Ordinary Seamen)
Tasks like cargo handling, tank cleaning, maintenance, and painting can be done by drones, robotic systems, and remote-controlled devices. Several prototypes already exist that reduce or eliminate the need for manual labor on deck.
4. Administrative or Clerical Shipboard Roles
Digital documentation and remote monitoring may render some onboard administrative roles unnecessary, as operations shift to shore-based control centers.
The ETO: A Vanishing Role or an Indispensable Expert?
Despite the overall trend toward automation, the electro-technical officer (ETO) or shipboard electrical engineer is likely to remain one of the most secure and vital positions aboard.
Here’s why:
- System Complexity. Modern ships are equipped with highly complex integrated systems: power generation, fire detection, automation networks, ballast systems, main engine controls, emission scrubbers, ballast water treatment systems, and more. These require expert monitoring and maintenance that AI alone cannot provide.
- Emergency Situations. AI is powerful within predictable parameters, but in emergency conditions — fire, short circuits, equipment failure — only a skilled human can assess, adapt, and respond effectively.
- Fleet Diversity. Automation is easier to implement on newer, standardized vessels like container ships. But a vast portion of the world fleet — especially bulk carriers, tankers, and specialized ships — will continue to rely on ETOs for decades.
- Regulatory Requirements. Classification societies, port authorities, and flag states often require certified personnel onboard to respond to system failures and provide technical explanations during inspections.
The Electro-Technical Officer of the Future
While the ETO role will continue to exist, it will evolve significantly. The ETO of the future will:
- Be highly skilled in PLC (Programmable Logic Controllers) and network communication protocols;
- Use diagnostic software and interact with digital twins of shipboard systems;
- Operate drones and robotic tools for maintenance and inspections;
- Collaborate with remote technical support centers via secure digital platforms.
Over the next 20–50 years, many shipboard professions involving repetitive, physical, or routine tasks will be replaced by AI and automation. However, the electro-technical officer will remain essential, especially on hybrid or semi-automated vessels. While the role will transform — requiring new technical knowledge and digital fluency — the value of a human technician capable of interpreting complex systems and responding to critical situations will not diminish.
Will the Captain Remain on the Ship in the Future?
As the maritime industry moves toward increasing levels of automation and artificial intelligence, one of the key questions is whether the ship's captain — the traditional leader of the vessel — will still be needed on board. The short answer is: yes, but their role will significantly change.
Why the Captain Will Still Be Needed
1. Legal Responsibility
Even with AI navigation and automation, someone must be legally accountable for the ship, cargo, and crew. Maritime law still requires a human to be responsible for decisions and operations.
2. Handling Emergencies
AI excels in routine and predictable scenarios but struggles with unpredictable crises like system failures, piracy, severe storms, or collisions. A human captain can assess and react in ways AI cannot.
3. Human Communication & Port Operations
Interaction with pilots, port authorities, and inspection bodies still often requires human presence and decision-making.
4. Mixed Fleets and Transition Period
The global fleet consists of a wide variety of vessels. While new ships may be highly automated, many older vessels will continue to require captains for decades.
How the Role of the Captain Will Evolve
- The captain may act more like a system supervisor or fleet operator, overseeing automated systems and AI decision-making.
- They might manage multiple ships remotely from shore-based control centers (similar to air traffic control for ships).
- Onboard captains will likely focus more on complex oversight, diagnostics, communication, and emergency decision-making rather than manual control.
- They’ll need advanced skills in technology, cybersecurity, and digital systems.
The traditional image of a captain at the helm may fade, but the need for a highly trained human leader will remain, especially in complex or long-range operations. Captains may shift from being hands-on navigators to strategic decision-makers and system managers, whether on board or from a control center on land.
Fully unmanned ships may exist in specific, well-regulated environments (like coastal routes or harbor operations), but for the vast majority of maritime operations, the captain will still be a critical figure — just in a new form.
Current Examples of Autonomous Ships and Future Outlook
Autonomous ships — vessels that can navigate and operate with minimal or no human intervention — are no longer a concept of the distant future. Several projects and working prototypes already exist, and global investment in this field is growing. Here's an overview of existing examples and the future prospects of autonomous shipping.
Current Examples of Autonomous Ships
1. YARA Birkeland (Norway)
- Type: Fully electric, autonomous container ship
- Launched: 2020 (trial phase began in 2021)
- Length: 80 meters
- Capacity: 120 TEU
Key Features:
- Fully battery-powered and zero-emission
- Designed for autonomous voyages between a fertilizer plant and a nearby port
- Equipped with sensors, radar, AIS, cameras, and an AI navigation system
- Operated by Kongsberg in partnership with YARA International
- Currently operating with remote control; full autonomy expected in phases
2. Sea-Kit Maxlimer (UK)
- Type: Uncrewed surface vessel (USV) for ocean research
- Use Case: Hydrographic survey, seabed mapping, environmental monitoring
Key Features:
- Operated remotely via satellite
- Can stay at sea for over a week
- Successfully completed transoceanic missions
- Demonstrates feasibility of unmanned scientific and commercial tasks at sea
3. Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS – UK/USA)
- Objective: Recreate the historic voyage of the original Mayflower with no crew
- Built by: ProMare with IBM as technology partner
- Navigation: Driven by AI and edge computing
Status:
- First Atlantic attempt in 2021 ended early due to technical failure
- Successfully crossed Atlantic in 2022 with some remote intervention
- Serves as a model for autonomous research vessels
4. Suzaku / Mikage (Japan)
- Type: Autonomous coastal ferry and container ships
- Developed by: Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
Key Features:
- In 2022, a fully autonomous voyage with automated docking was completed
- Uses sensors, LiDAR, and AI for navigation and obstacle avoidance
- Focused on Japan’s aging seafarer population and domestic shipping needs
5. ASKO Autonomous Ferries (Norway)
- Type: Electric ferries designed for autonomous operation
- Purpose: Cargo transport across fjords
- Partners: ASKO, Kongsberg, Massterly
- Current Phase: Operating with remote control, full autonomy targeted
Future Prospects of Autonomous Ships
Short-Term (5–10 Years)
1. Autonomy in controlled environments such as:
- Harbor operations
- Short ferry routes
- Inland waterways and coastal shipping
2. Human-supervised autonomy becomes common: ships will have onboard crew for emergencies, but routine tasks will be automated.
3. Remote monitoring centers will control fleets of semi-autonomous ships.
Mid-Term (10–20 Years)
- More advanced vessels capable of unmanned ocean crossings for specific cargo routes.
- Expansion of smart ports and autonomous docking technologies.
- Legal and regulatory frameworks will mature, enabling broader global use.
Long-Term (20–50 Years)
- Fully autonomous deep-sea vessels may operate without onboard crew.
- Significant impact on maritime employment — especially for routine operational roles.
- Integration with smart logistics chains, AI-driven shipping schedules, and dynamic route planning.
- Fleet management becomes centralized, reducing the need for large onboard crews.
Challenges to Overcome
- International regulations (IMO is still drafting MASS regulations)
- Cybersecurity risks
- Legal accountability and insurance
- Complex, unpredictable maritime environments
- Resistance from unions and crew-related organizations
Autonomous shipping is no longer hypothetical — it's already being tested and implemented, especially for coastal, research, and short-route cargo operations. While fully autonomous ocean-going ships are still decades away, the shipping industry is rapidly evolving toward a hybrid model, where AI supports — but does not fully replace — human expertise.
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