Closing The Skills Gap In The Ocean Enterprise

The maritime sector is facing new urgency in the need to address the critical challenge of workforce shortages. Ahead of the Society of Maritime Industries’ return to next year’s Oceanology International, a key event for exploring new skills and careers in the ocean industry, Emma Johnson, Director of MST and MAS Groups and SMIFutures, explains why a healthy supply of specialist talent is essential to keep pace with innovation and safeguard our national capability.

As the ocean enterprise undergoes rapid transformation, the challenge of ensuring a skilled workforce has never been greater. Digitalisation, automation, and the shift to clean energy are reshaping the sector, yet the supply of specialist expertise is struggling to keep pace with demand.

For the UK maritime industries, this skills gap is more than a workforce issue; it is a question of national capability. Without targeted investment in training, education, and career pathways, there is a risk of shortages that could slow innovation and limit competitiveness.

This is a critical point that the Society of Maritime Industries (SMI) has been actively raising at the highest levels. Recently, SMI's Chief Executive, Tom Chant, appeared before the Transport Select Committee to provide evidence on maritime skills, ensuring that the industry's real-world needs are understood by policymakers.

Nurturing a New Generation of Talent

At the SMI, we are working with members to identify the skills most urgently required across offshore renewables, ocean data, and maritime autonomy. The innovation happening within our membership highlights the urgency of this task.

For instance, Robosys Automation is retrofitting vessels for autonomous operation in the offshore wind sector, while Exail recently achieved a world-first 1,100-nautical-mile autonomous transit. In the green energy space, the Port of Tyne’s Clean Energy Park is set to become a marshalling base for a major offshore wind farm, demonstrating the growing demand for skills in renewables. These advancements require a new generation of talent proficient in robotics, data science and green technologies.

SMI Takes the Initiative

To build this future workforce, the SMI has implemented several key initiatives.

Our SMIFutures group is dedicated to supporting those in their early careers, helping them to build networks and develop their potential. Furthermore, the biennial Marine Autonomy Challenge (MAChallenge) offers university students direct, hands-on experience with the cutting-edge technology that is defining the future of the industry. This practical engagement is crucial for translating academic knowledge into real-world capability.

Oceanology International to Address Challenges

Oceanology International 2026 (Oi26) provides a unique opportunity to highlight these challenges and, crucially, to help address them. The event brings together industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers to map future skills needs and showcase opportunities for early-career professionals. It also provides a platform for young talent to engage with cutting-edge technology and explore career paths across the ocean economy.

SMI's bienniel Marine Autonomy Challenge (MAChallenge) offers university students direct, hands-on experience with the cutting-edge technology that is defining the future of the industry. Credit: Society of Maritime Industries.

As the voice of the UK’s maritime engineering, science, and technology supply chain, SMI is committed to helping bridge the skills gap and ensuring the sector has the people it needs to thrive in the years ahead. Through direct policy engagement, member collaboration, and forward-looking initiatives like SMIFutures and the MAChallenge, we are taking decisive steps to secure the UK's position as a world leader in the maritime industry.

Oi26 is a key step in that journey.

About Oi26: Career Support and Opportunities

Oceanology International, the world’s leading forum for ocean science, engineering and technology, returns to London’s ExCeL from 10^th to 12^th March 2026, to connect the global ocean community.

Mike Enser, Marketing Manager of Oceanology International, said: "The team behind Oceanology International is deeply passionate about supporting career starters, mid-career professionals, and those considering career changes. We recognise the myriad of opportunities available at the event to help guide individuals on their professional paths. In partnership with organisations such as the Society of Maritime Industries (SMI), the Society for Underwater Technology (SUT), The Hydrographic Society UK & Ireland (THS:UKI), and the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST), we help signpost training and development opportunities. Additionally, we host numerous recruiters who provide valuable support with CV advice and career guidance to empower attendees in their job search and career advancement."

Welcoming engineering, survey and science professionals from ocean industries including offshore energy, ocean observation and defence, the 2026 edition will spotlight breakthrough solutions driving the future of ocean exploration, environmental monitoring and sustainable marine operations.

For anyone keen to explore new skills and careers in the ocean industry, Oi26 will facilitate connections in a vast array of fields, including marine science and research, ocean engineering, maritime operations, aquaculture and fisheries, ocean policy and low, and more. There will also be a chance to expand knowledge through strategic conferences.