Shipboard Automation and Digitalization: Their Relevance to Maritime Education and Training

This descriptive–correlational study aimed to determine the relevance of shipboard automation and digitalization to Maritime Education and Training (MET) and to examine the relationship between these technological advancements within maritime instruction and professional practice. The study sought to provide empirical evidence on how automation and digital systems influence the preparation of maritime professionals for modern shipboard operations. The respondents of the study consisted of maritime technical instructors, industry stakeholders, and active seafarers. They were purposively selected based on their direct involvement in MET and shipboard operations, ensuring that the data collected were informed by practical experience and professional expertise. A researcher-constructed questionnaire was used to gather data on the perceived relevance of shipboard automation and digitalization in MET. The collected data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tools, including the mean and standard deviation for descriptive analysis, the Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal–Wallis test for differences across groups, and Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient to determine relationships among variables. All statistical tests were conducted at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that shipboard automation and digitalization are highly relevant to MET. Furthermore, no significant differences were found in the perceptions of respondents when grouped according to selected profiles. Additionally, a significant relationship was observed between automation and digitalization, indicating that these two technological domains are closely interconnected and mutually reinforcing in maritime operations and education. Based on the results, the study recommends continual development training for active seafarers for effective use of automation and digital technologies onboard.