Speakers
Session Five: Human element and skills gap
Maritime decarbonisation introduces complex safety challenges that require the integration of human factors into safety analysis. Human factors are critical because they account for seafarers’ ability to operate new equipment, the impact of alternative fuels on human performance, and the interactions between humans and automation, yet current literature largely overlooks these aspects in favour of analysing fuel containment and dispersion risks. Existing studies in maritime contexts often reduce human error to a root cause without considering cognitive, organisational, or environmental influences, while non-maritime sectors have applied Human Reliability Analysis (HRA) using task-based methods such as Hierarchical Task Analysis. However, these linear approaches fail to capture the dynamic sociotechnical interactions inherent in maritime decarbonisation systems. This study proposes an integrated framework that combines system theory with HRA to more comprehensively identify unsafe actions, underlying cognitive processes, and human–system interactions. The proposed method aims to enable stakeholders to better anticipate and mitigate hazards, ensuring that human factors are embedded in the safe design and operation of decarbonised maritime systems.
He is a researcher at the Maritime Human Factors Centre with a background in Naval Architecture and professional experience as a safety officer on a research vessel. His research focuses on risk analysis and safety assessment of maritime operations, particularly through the application of novel hazard identification methods that advance beyond traditional risk analysis approaches. These methods aim to support risk quantification and the development of effective risk control strategies. He is currently pursuing a PhD, where his work explores the integration of system theory and human reliability analysis to enhance the safety of maritime decarbonisation operations.