Evaluating the Gap in Specialised Training for Container Ship Deck Officers: Implications for Maritime Safety

Container ships play a vital role in global trade by transporting a significant portion of general cargo worldwide. Despite extensive safety regulations, accidents continue to occur, often due to human error and non-compliance with mandatory cargo stowage and securing requirements. This study analyses the need for specialised training for seafarers responsible for cargo operations on container ships to ensure compliance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations and reduce accidents. A review of statistical data on container ship accidents, a comparative analysis of training standards for different vessel types, and an examination of current IMO regulations related to container ship crew training were conducted. The analysis revealed that human error is the largest contributing factor to accidents, and a significant proportion of safety recommendations are related to cargo handling and transportation. However, the STCW Code and IMO model courses lack specialized training for container ship deck officers, in contrast to the extensive training provided for tanker officers. A survey of nautical students who completed their first contract as junior cadets on container ships confirmed the findings, highlighting the need for ship type-specific training. The study recommends that the IMO review the current training standards for container ships and consider introducing type-specific training for all crew joining container ships to address this gap and improve maritime safety.