We are pleased to share our recent research that shall be presented at the 9th International Symposium on Ship Operations, Management & Economics (SOME 2026) in Athens:
📄 “Seafarers’ Soft Skills: Measurement and Impact on Performance”
This study explores the role of soft skills in maritime operations and how competencies such as:
✔️ Leadership & Management
✔️ Communication
✔️ Teamwork
✔️ Decision Making
✔️ Situational Awareness
✔️ Emotional Intelligence
✔️ Cultural Intelligence
Using data from 1,111 seafarers across multiple nationalities and ranks, the research highlights that operational exposure, experience, and multicultural environments significantly shape the perceived importance of soft skills in shipping.
The findings reinforce an important message for the maritime industry:
⚓ Technical competence alone is no longer sufficient.
Human factors and soft skills are becoming critical pillars of safety, collaboration, leadership, and performance at sea.
Special thanks to all collaborators and participating maritime professionals who contributed to this work.