Training and Competency Gaps for Shipping Decarbonization in the Era of Disruptive Technology: The Case of Panama

Jimenez, JED ORCID: 0009-0004-7515-9769, Blanco-Davis, E ORCID: 0000-0001-8080-4997, Portela, RMDLC, Loughney, S ORCID: 0000-0003-0217-5739, Wang, J ORCID: 0000-0003-4646-9106 and Wilson, EV (2026) Training and Competency Gaps for Shipping Decarbonization in the Era of Disruptive Technology: The Case of Panama. Sustainability, 18 (2).

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Abstract

The maritime sector is undergoing a profound transformation driven by disruptive technologies and global decarbonization objectives, placing new demands on Maritime Education and Training (MET) systems. Equipping maritime professionals with competencies for lowcarbon shipping is now as critical as technological advancement itself. This study examines how disruptive technologies can be effectively integrated into MET frameworks to support environmental sustainability, using Panama as a representative case study of a major flag and maritime service state. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining a structured literature review, expert surveys, and a multi-criteria decision-making analysis based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The findings reveal a significant misalignment between existing MET curricula and the competencies required for decarbonized maritime operations. Key gaps include limited training in alternative fuels, emissions measurement and reporting, energy-efficient technologies, digital analytics, and regulatory compliance. Stakeholders also reported fragmented training provision, uneven access to emerging technologies, and weak coordination between academia, industry, and regulators, particularly in developing contexts. The results highlight the urgent need for curriculum reform and stronger cross-sector collaboration to align MET with evolving technological and regulatory demands. The study provides an applied, evidence-based framework for MET reform, with insights transferable to other systems facing similar decarbonization challenges.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	12 Built Environment and Design
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences T Technology > TC Hydraulic engineering. Ocean engineering
Divisions:	Astrophysics Research Institute
Publisher:	MDPI AG
Date of acceptance:	7 January 2026
Date of first compliant Open Access:	22 January 2026
Date Deposited:	22 Jan 2026 12:03
Last Modified:	22 Jan 2026 12:03
DOI or ID number:	10.3390/su18020958
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/27954

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