An Assessment of Sociotechnical Transition in Marine Warranty Survey Practice: Case of West Africa’s Marine and Cargo Project Management Against Risk

Abstract

As in Figure 1, the study proceeds to investigate and characterize the nature of the sociotechnical systems and transitions during operation in the maritime industry spared by the COVID-19 pandemic –comparing and examining cause and effect variables setting forth the relationship of complexity within the transition in the Gulf of Guniea area. The study also examines and contrasts best practices while drawing on the lessons learned. A case study approach was implemented where initial data gathering was achieved through a targeted survey. This was followed by a select interview to examine specific concerns arising from the survey outcome before a field observation was carried out. The study finds respondents highlighted the emerging need for green energy towards ecological sustenance as highly ranked among factors rapidly spearheading socio-technical transition in the maritime and offshore energy industry in West Africa. 67 percent also viewed the health crisis as a positive force in the sociotechnical transition in the maritime and offshore energy industry. These findings agreed with researchers who found that during the pandemic’s lockdown and restrictions, carbon emissions across the globe were reduced by 5.4 percent. Again, 87 percent found the need to be physically present on the survey site critical to safe operations and success. This notwithstanding, the period saw the introduction and scaling of remote marine surveys. Finally, 81.4 percent of respondents found the use of remote technology on the marine survey site to be essential to operations success while limiting the movement of the attending surveyor on site.