Building Sustainable Maritime Careers Beyond the Sea
The SEA4SHORE Final Conference, held in Riga, Latvia on 26 February 2026, marked a major milestone in strengthening sea-to-shore transition pathways for maritime professionals.
Bringing together maritime universities, regulators, ship management companies, policymakers, and former seafarers, the conference addressed a critical question:
How can we make maritime careers more sustainable, transparent, and adaptable in the long term?
Funded under the Erasmus+ programme, the SEA4SHORE project focuses on improving maritime skills transferability, increasing career awareness, and supporting structured transitions from sea-based roles to shore-based maritime professions.
Why Sea-to-Shore Transition Matters in the Maritime Industry
Across Europe and globally, many seafarers leave sea careers within the first decade. Research presented during the conference showed that this is often not due to lack of competence, but due to:
- Limited visibility of long-term career pathways
- Work–life balance challenges
- Health and age-related factors
- Unclear recognition of maritime skills ashore
The SEA4SHORE project does not aim to pull seafarers away from sea careers. Instead, it aims to:
- Strengthen maritime education
- Increase career sustainability
- Support structured career evolution
- Make maritime professions more attractive to young people
Evidence-Based Research Across Six European Countries
Over a two-year period, the SEA4SHORE consortium conducted comprehensive research in:
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Türkiye
- Spain
- Greece
- Croatia
Key Research Outcomes:
✔ 125 mapped shore-based maritime career profiles
✔ 60+ in-depth case studies with former seafarers
✔ 343 survey responses from maritime professionals
✔ Multi-country needs analysis report
The findings confirm:
- Seafarers possess strong leadership and operational competencies.
- Shore-based maritime jobs require additional business, legal, and digital skills.
- A structured “translation mechanism” between sea and shore careers has been missing.
125 Shore-Based Maritime Career Opportunities Identified
One of the project’s most significant achievements is the mapping of 125 shore-based maritime professions using:
- ESCO framework
- STCW standards
- IMO competency structures
- European Qualification Framework (EQF)
These roles include:
- Port & Terminal Operations
- Port Captain, Harbour Master, VTS Operator
- Fleet Management & Compliance
- Marine Superintendent, DPA, CSO, Marine Surveyor
- Maritime Education & Government
- Instructor, Academy Director, Civil Servant
- Commercial & Emerging Sectors
- Maritime Insurance, Shipping Law, Offshore Wind Energy
This structured career mapping supports clearer seafarer career pathways and improves employer understanding of transferable skills.
Real Career Stories: From Sea to Shore
A highlight of the SEA4SHORE Final Conference was the presentation of real-life transition journeys from former seafarers who now hold senior shore-based roles.
Common themes included:
- Planning early while still at sea
- Investing in additional education (MBA, law, IT, compliance)
- Developing business literacy
- Adapting to corporate work environments
These testimonials reinforce that sea experience is a strategic advantage when combined with structured upskilling.
The SEA4SHORE Digital Tool: A Practical Sea-to-Shore Transition Platform
To transform research into practical guidance, the consortium developed the SEA4SHORE Digital Career Tool.
The Tool Provides:
- Cross-referencing of sea-going competencies with shore-based professions
- Self-evaluation modules (including 39 soft skills assessment)
- Career pathway guidance
- Structured profession mapping
- Free and open access
This maritime digital career platform helps seafarers answer a crucial question:
“What can I realistically do ashore with my sea experience?”
The tool is currently in its validation and endorsement phase, with industry and institutional feedback actively encouraged.
Strengthening Maritime Education Through Career Awareness
Survey findings show strong agreement that:
- Shore career awareness should be included in maritime education
- E-learning supports sea-to-shore transition
- Additional training in business and legal competencies is necessary
The SEA4SHORE project supports vocational education and training (VET) by integrating long-term career visibility into maritime curricula.
Strategic Conclusion: Sea Experience Is Strategic Insight
The final conclusion of the SEA4SHORE project is clear:
Seafarers Already Have:
- Leadership and crisis management skills
- Risk assessment competence
- Structured operational discipline
- High-pressure decision-making capability
They Need Further Development In:
- Legal literacy
- Financial management
- HR and recruitment
- Commercial and marketing awareness
- Strategic communication
By bridging this gap, the maritime sector can ensure:
- Stronger retention
- Sustainable workforce planning
- Better recognition of maritime competences
- Long-term industry resilience
Explore the SEA4SHORE Sea-to-Shore Career Tool
If you are a:
- Deck Officer
- Master Mariner
- Chief Engineer
- Electro Technical Officer
- Maritime student
- Maritime educator
- HR manager in shipping
The SEA4SHORE digital tool is designed for you.
Visit: www.sea4shore.com
Contact: info@sea4shore.com
