Document Type
Article Open Access
Publication Date
6-3-2026
Journal Title
International Journal of Advanced Corporate Learning (iJAC)
Volume Number
19
Issue Number
2
First Page
4
Last Page
14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3991/ijac.v19i2.59725
Abstract
The notion that computers equipped with software and artificial intelligence (AI) applications can effectively replace human intelligence is under the existing paradigm of operations. This is the leading facilitator of task automation on board a ship to fulfill various jobs and is often supported by numerous scientists/academics who contribute to gaining today’s momentum in public opinion. The discourse of Industry 4.0 in the maritime domain, however, tends to focus heavily on technological contexts and overlooks socio-economic contexts. This gap is evident in the strong emphasis on technical and digital skills for future maritime professionals. This paper, therefore, argues that the socio-economic context of Industry 4.0 can be understood as fostering soft skills for future seafarers. In particular, our focus is on emotional intelligence concerning “future skills” on demand in the maritime industry. This paper reviews relevant theories and conceptualizes how integrating emotional intelligence into maritime education and training can support the transition toward maritime digitalization. The main objective of this paper is to present a framework that effectively incorporates emotional intelligence into a teamwork environment suitable for the ship’s bridge and to outline a set of skills training based on Transformative Learning.