Despite advancements in ship automation, jobs in the maritime industry will not disappear but rather evolve, according to A. Magsaysay Inc. president and CEO Doris Magsaysay-Ho.

In a briefing at the Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) Magsaysay Maritime Academy (MMMA) in Dasmariñas, Cavite on 18 February, Magsaysay-Ho emphasized that while modern ships are increasingly built with hybrid alternative fuel systems, digitalization will not lead to immediate job losses for seafarers.

Agility in skills

“The jobs may not disappear, they’ll just become different,” she said. “We just need to make sure that the cadets are very agile, that they have a very good education in Math, and in understanding technology so that they can change whatever the change would be.”

She also noted that most automated ships today are small vessels in the North of Europe, operating from port to port.

Magsaysay-Ho underscored the importance of continuous training and upskilling of seafarers, citing Magsaysay and MOL’s active training centers.

“We, as organizations that really care about providing careers, are doing everything we can to give all our people the skills so they can transition whatever happens in the future.”

MOL executive vice president Toshiaki Tanaka echoed her sentiments, stating that digital tools can enhance operations without replacing crew members.

“For example, onboard jobs involve extensive documentation and engineering reports to headquarters. With sophisticated monitoring systems, these tasks can be automated, improving efficiency while still requiring human oversight,” Tanaka explained.

On the same day, MMMA celebrated its second commencement exercises with the theme “Over the Horizon: Filipino Mariners Ready for the Brave New Maritime World.”

A total of 152 cadets graduated, including 80 from the Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation and 72 from the Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering. All are guaranteed employment opportunities aboard MOL and Magsaysay vessels.