The maritime industry is charging ahead with battery-powered deep-sea shipping, but a new whitepaper from CIMAC and the Maritime Battery Forum (MBF) reveals a critical hurdle: crew training. The second edition of their joint whitepaper, “Environment for the Use of Batteries in Deep-Sea Shipping,” published in 2024, dives into the current regulatory landscape and identifies a glaring gap—clear, harmonized training frameworks for seafarers.
The paper acknowledges that existing regulations provide sufficient support for battery design, installation, and testing. However, it highlights a significant gap in crew training regulations. This is a critical oversight, as the safe operation of battery-powered vessels demands a well-trained crew.
The paper states, “The transition to battery-powered deep-sea vessels is no longer constrained primarily by technical or regulatory limitations, but rather by the human and organizational readiness to operate, maintain, and manage these new energy systems safely and effectively.”
The paper identifies only two relevant guidelines for crew training requirements on board battery-powered ships: the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and the Norwegian Maritime Authority. The EMSA’s “Guidance on the Safety of BESS on board ships” (Version 1.0, November 2023) includes an annex on officer’s qualification, while the Norwegian Maritime Authority’s “Guidelines on requirements for training in chemical energy storage (maritime battery systems) on board Norwegian ships” provides specific training requirements. Additionally, the Red Ensign Group Yacht Code recommends that at least two crew members be adequately trained in all battery equipment and procedures.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) does not yet have specific guidelines or resolutions about Li-ion batteries training for crew. However, the IMO’s ISM Code mandates ship managers to establish procedures for personnel in safety and environmental roles, and the STCW Convention Regulation I/14-5 recalls the need for companies to familiarize seafarers with their duties and relevant aspects. At the IMO Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW 11) meeting on 10-14 February 2025, it was agreed to begin the development of interim guidelines for training seafarers on ships using alternative fuels and new technologies, including battery-powered ships.
The paper concludes that responsibility for crew training is distributed across multiple stakeholders, including equipment suppliers, system integrators, shipyards, shipowners, educators, and regulatory authorities. However, this distributed responsibility requires clearer definition and coordination to ensure that all crew members receive appropriate and consistent training.
The paper offers several recommendations to address these challenges. It calls on regulators and policymakers to develop harmonized international training standards under the IMO framework, incorporate operational and training requirements into existing regulatory instruments, and encourage collaboration between flag states, class societies, and industry bodies.
Ship owners and operators are urged to establish structured training programs that combine theoretical education and practical training, implement continuous learning and re-certification schemes, and promote a safety culture that includes regular drills and familiarization with emergency procedures.
Equipment suppliers, integrators, and shipyards are encouraged to provide comprehensive operational manuals and training packages, collaborate with shipowners and educational institutions, and design user-friendly systems with clear human-machine interfaces.
Maritime education and training institutions are called upon to update curricula to include knowledge areas related to maritime energy storage systems, battery management, and related safety procedures, engage with industry stakeholders, and develop certification pathways in alignment with forthcoming IMO guidelines and national regulations.
This whitepaper serves as a wake-up call for the maritime industry. As the sector transitions to battery-powered deep-sea vessels, the focus must shift from technical and regulatory constraints to human and organizational readiness. The paper underscores the need for a concerted effort from all stakeholders to ensure that seafarers are equipped with the knowledge and skills to operate, maintain, and manage these new energy systems safely and effectively.