MARCOMPASS workshop brings maritime administrations together in Lisbon
On 1 and 2 July 2026, Panteia and PwC participated in the MARCOMPASS stakeholder workshop hosted by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) in Lisbon. The workshop brought together representatives from maritime administrations across Europe to discuss how the sector can prepare for the green and digital transitions.
MARCOMPASS—Mapping Evolving Competencies and Emerging Job Profiles within Maritime Administrations—examines how regulatory and technological developments are changing the functions, skills and workforce needs of national maritime administrations. The workshop provided an opportunity to present and validate the study’s preliminary findings through presentations, breakout discussions and plenary sessions.
Discussions focused on the growing impact of decarbonisation, digitalisation, cybersecurity, alternative fuels and emerging technologies such as Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships. Participants highlighted that the main challenge is often the cumulative effect of multiple regulatory and technological changes, which must be managed alongside administrations’ existing responsibilities.
A central conclusion was that these developments are primarily broadening existing roles rather than creating entirely new professions. Inspectors, surveyors, policy officers and certification specialists increasingly need to combine traditional maritime knowledge with expertise in environmental regulation, digital systems, data analysis, cybersecurity and risk assessment.
Participants also identified important organisational challenges, including limited staffing, recruitment difficulties, an ageing workforce, financial constraints and the need for more interoperable digital systems. Continuous training, international knowledge exchange and stronger mechanisms for transferring expertise between more experienced and less experienced staff were therefore seen as key priorities.
The insights gathered in Lisbon will inform the next phases of MARCOMPASS and help ensure that its recommendations are grounded in the practical realities and future needs of maritime administrations.
Panteia thanks EMSA for hosting the workshop, PwC for the close collaboration, and all participants for their active engagement, expertise and constructive contributions.
