The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to the maritime supply chain and called for accelerated adoption of digital technologies in various aspects of maritime operations, including the area of maritime education and training (MET). This paper aims to discuss the current maritime simulator-based training and educational practices that forms an integral part in seafarer training and competency development. The study provides a review of the existing simulators in use in MET, and discusses upon the technological and pedagogical advancement of maritime simulator-based training interventions with predictions regarding the future MET practices with use of virtual reality and cloud-based simulators. This study—by focusing on ship’s bridge operations—highlights the characteristics of various types of simulators and also discusses the role of instructors, challenges, and opportunities involving future simulator-based MET due to accelerated adoption of digital technologies and the need to comply with pandemic-related restrictions for MET institutes. The analysis generated in the paper may contribute to the ongoing discussion regarding the future of simulator-based MET and the fulfillment of the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 in the maritime sector.

Autonomous ships would require higher cyber-physical interaction in comparison with traditional shipping operations, thus increasing the vulnerabilities associated with cyber security. The increasing complexity surrounding the innate characteristics of the shipping industry makes it challenging to build a resilient framework for ensuring cyber security. This study proposes a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework for assessing cyber security risk in the autonomous shipping context. The research was validated through surveying subject matter experts, system designers and seafarers. Different types of equipment and systems are ranked based on their perceived vulnerability to cyber threats. Survey data from 28 subject matter experts are collected and analysed through the Bayesian best-worst method (BWM). At system level, the results indicate that navigational systems are the most vulnerable to potential cyber threats, while propulsion systems are the least vulnerable element in the context of future autonomous shipping operations. On a subsystem level, the three most vulnerable parts are Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) and the communication devices on shore control centres (SCC), while the least vulnerable parts are engine controls, SCC integration platforms and cargo handling at ports.

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Recent advancements in simulation technology facilitated maritime training in various modalities such as full-mission, desktop-based, cloud-based, and virtual reality (VR) simulators. Each of the simulator modality has unique pros and cons considering their technical capabilities, pedagogical opportunities, and different organizational aspects. On the other hand, enhanced training opportunity and diversity of training depends on the proper utilization of simulators. In this context, the absence of an unbiased, transparent, and robust simulator selection process poses a complex decision-making challenge for the maritime instructors and decision-makers at the institutions. In this study, a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach is proposed to evaluate four major types of simulator modalities. For the evaluation, a MCDM framework is developed based on 13 key factors (sub-criteria) for simulator selection grouped under three higher-level criteria—technical, instructional, and organizational criteria. Data was collected using a structured best-worst method (BWM) survey from subject matter experts. The Bayesian BWM is used for ranking of the 13 sub-criteria, and the Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluation (PROMETHEE) is used to evaluate the four simulator modalities utilizing sub-criteria ranking scores from Bayesian BWM. The results reveal that the regulatory compliance of simulators is the most important criterion, while the cost of simulators is considered the least important criterion during the simulator selection process. Overall, full-mission simulators are the most preferred followed by VR simulators, cloud-based and desktop simulators. However, a sensitivity analysis demonstrated context-specific preferences for certain simulator types over others.