Global Maritime Industry Faces Skills Gap as IMPA Foundation Steps In

By Thuku Kariuki and Daniel Furnad - Every day, ships carry nearly 90 percent of the world’s trade, but the real engines of the maritime industry aren’t made of steel, they’re human. Across ports and oceans, a shortage of skilled mariners and officers is threatening to disrupt the lifeline of global commerce.

Into this gap sails the IMPA Foundation, a global charity launched by the International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA), with one bold mission: to build a workforce for tomorrow’s seas, skilled, diverse, and sustainable.

The Foundation’s heart lies in education and opportunity. From scholarships and grants to retraining programs and mentorship, it equips both seasoned seafarers and aspiring professionals with the skills they need for a changing world. 

The focus isn’t only on technical expertise but also on cultivating safety, environmental responsibility, and operational excellence, values essential to the future of the blue economy.

At the helm of this ambitious venture is Captain Simon Pelletier, a man who has spent his life guiding ships safely to shore. A former marine pilot with decades of experience, Pelletier isn’t just worried about tides and currents anymore, he’s concerned about the future of an industry that keeps the world moving.

As Chairman of the Foundation’s Board, his focus is clear: without retraining today’s workers and inspiring the next generation, the maritime sector risks losing its strength.

“The shortage of mariners and officers in the world’s merchant fleet, as well as the need to ensure the current workforce maintains appropriate skill sets, are important issues for the marine sector,” he explains.

“The global community of maritime pilots is committed to helping address this challenge, and we believe the Foundation will play a significant role in encouraging the pursuit of fulfilling careers in the sector.”

If Pelletier provides the vision, Eliane Blanch ensures it becomes reality. As IMPA’s Sustainability and Relationships Director, she leads the Foundation’s daily operations, turning ideas into real programs that create opportunities at sea.

Since joining the Association in 2018, Blanch has been a driving force behind initiatives that blend safety, social responsibility, and global partnerships. For her, the Foundation isn’t just about training, it’s about creating livelihoods.

“We have developed short-, medium-, and long-term measures, which will evolve organically to address emerging needs and opportunities,” she says.

“By 2033, we will assess our progress, review our impact, and adjust our approach to ensure we continue advancing toward a sustainable future, both for our organization and the international community.”

Among the Foundation’s strongest allies is Ambassador Nancy Karigithu, a legal expert and longtime champion of maritime affairs. From hosting Kenya’s first National Maritime Conference in 2015 to co-leading the world’s inaugural Sustainable Blue Economy Conference in 2018, she has been at the forefront of shaping global maritime policy. Now an advisor to Kenya’s President, she sees the IMPA Foundation as another vessel for change.

“Throughout my career, I have witnessed how opportunities can transform lives, breaking barriers for young women and men and inspiring them to dream bigger,” she says.

“The IMPA Foundation is more than an investment in skills; it is a commitment to nurturing talent and opening doors for the next generation of maritime leaders.”

Adding further depth is Guy Platten, Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Shipping Foundation. With over 30 years at sea, qualified as a Master Mariner, his career has spanned inspecting lifeboats to overseeing the environmental challenges of salvaging a World War II wreck. For Platten, supporting the Foundation is about amplifying opportunity.

“I am passionate about the amazing careers the maritime industry can provide and am very proud to be associated with the Foundation as a Trustee, helping to provide even more opportunities,” he reflects.

As this new organization takes shape, its promise reaches far beyond boardrooms and conference halls. For a young woman in Mombasa dreaming of becoming a ship engineer, or a Filipino seafarer eager to retrain for modern technologies, the Foundation could mean the difference between an unrealized dream and a thriving career.

For now, the IMPA Foundation is just getting started. But for young people dreaming of a life at sea, it could open doors to training, mentorship, and careers in a world that depends on skilled seafarers.

With safety, skills and sustainability at the heart of its work, the Foundation is quietly shaping the next generation of maritime professionals, those who will keep global trade moving and chart the future of the industry.