Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect of autonomous technology in the maritime sector on the (a) training and (b) employment of UK seafarer (i) Ratings and (ii) Officers over the next decade.

On 28 February the Secretary of State announced the UK’s ambition to be at the forefront of developments in maritime technology at an event that brought together representatives from across government and the maritime sector. Whilst it is too early in this programme of work to make an informed assessment of the impact of autonomous technology on seafarer employment and skills, the Government recognises the importance of training and employment as key elements of this work. Officials have already begun engagement with Unions, skills providers and other industry bodies and we will continue to engage them in this process.