The UK Chamber of Shipping has thrown down the gauntlet, demanding sustained government support for seafarer training. In a statement issued on 11 June, the Chamber didn’t mince words, criticising the Government’s 2025 Spending Review for missing the mark on shipping sector support. It’s high time the government woke up and smelled the saltwater, because the future of UK shipping is hanging in the balance.
Kathryn Neilson, Director of the Merchant Navy Training Board, pulled no punches. “Continued investment in workforce development is critical to safeguarding the future of the UK’s shipping industry,” she declared. While the Government’s extension of the Support for Maritime Training scheme until March 2026 was a step in the right direction, Neilson made it clear that more is needed. “We need funding guarantees for the full duration of the current Parliament,” she insisted. “That’s the only way to provide the certainty needed for long-term planning and workforce development.”
Neilson also shone a spotlight on the growing skills gap across the maritime sector. She praised the Secretary of State for Transport’s recent pledge to tackle this challenge but urged the Government to go further. “We need to deepen support for the industry-led national awareness campaign, There’s Always More to Sea,” she said. “It’s not just about meeting immediate demand; it’s about ensuring the industry is future-ready, especially as we adapt to emerging technologies and decarbonisation goals.”
The Chamber made it crystal clear: the future success of UK shipping, both economically and environmentally, hinges on a steady pipeline of well-trained professionals. And they’re ready to roll up their sleeves and work closely with the Government to make it happen.
But here’s where it gets interesting. The Mapping a Maritime Just Transition for Seafarers paper by Maritime Just Transition Task Force laid out three scenarios for the future, each with significant training implications. If we’re looking at a 50% reduction in GHG emissions by 2050, we’re talking about 300,000 seafarers needing additional training. Decarbonisation by 2050? That’s 750,000 seafarers. And if we’re aiming for zero carbon by 2050, we’re looking at 450,000 seafarers needing training by 2030, and 800,000 by the mid-2030s. Those are some serious numbers, and they’re not going to train themselves.
Stef Kenyon, Director of External Affairs, didn’t hold back on the industry’s economic clout. “Shipping contributes £16 billion directly and £46.2 billion through its supply chain, supporting over 728,000 jobs,” she stated. But she wasn’t just about the numbers. She reminded the Government of shipping’s vital role in global trade, lifeline ferry services, and the UK’s energy transition. Yet, she expressed disappointment at the lack of targeted measures to boost UK shipping’s competitiveness. “We need temporary exemptions from the UK ETS for essential ferry routes,” she demanded. “And we need a robust package of long-term funding to support decarbonisation.”
Kenyon’s call to action was clear: invest in alternative fuel infrastructure, back programmes like UK SHORE, the Clean Maritime Demonstrator Competition, and Zero Emission Vessel and Infrastructure. Because let’s face it, the maritime industry isn’t just about keeping ships afloat; it’s about steering the UK towards a sustainable future.
So, what does this all mean for the future of the sector? Well, it’s a wake-up call, that’s for sure. The Chamber’s demands aren’t just about plugging gaps; they’re about future-proofing the industry. They’re about ensuring that the UK doesn’t just keep up with the maritime world but leads it. And they’re about making sure that the UK’s shipping industry is as green as it is great.
But it’s not just about the environment. It’s about people. It’s about training, about skills, about diversity. It’s about making sure that the UK’s maritime workforce is as dynamic and adaptable as the industry itself. Because let’s not forget, the future of UK shipping isn’t just about ships; it’s about the people who sail them. And it’s high time the Government recognised that.