The National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) has announced its fifth annual Seafarers’ Conference, set to take place on March 19th, 2026, at the NMCI, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork.
The conference will bring together key stakeholders, including representatives from Government Departments, the maritime industry, the supply chain workforce, and training and education institutions. This year’s theme will focus on charting a digital ocean economy – enabled by skills, data and technology. Panel sessions will take place discussing the following topics: The impact of technology and artificial intelligence (AI), on the future of seafaring; enabling maritime industry through data – the ocean currency; skills needs for a digital ocean economy; and what success will look like.
Exponential technological and digital change is continuing, with data emergent as the ocean currency, while energy security and climate challenges continue to contextualise the seascape. Ireland has one of the best wind regimes in the world making it an obvious resource to underpin our energy security and develop a sustainable ocean economy in close association with traditional industries and the environment. It is therefore essential that Ireland continues to develop the necessary skills, data and technology to deliver on Ireland’s maritime potential.
Timmy Dooley T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment with special responsibility for the Marine, stated that ‘’As a Minister with dual roles in the marine, I am acutely aware of the importance of co-operation in our shared marine space. I’m particularly delighted that the seafarers conference is taking place in the National Maritime College of Ireland, which is to the forefront of training our seafarers for the future, offering educational opportunities across marine science, engineering and technology since its inception. We are all aware that the advent of Artificial Intelligence will bring both advantages and challenges. In that regard, the Seafarer’s Conference will provide an important educational opportunity for seafarers to discuss those impacts, while giving a sense of the direction of future travel for our seafaring community.’’
Dr. Paul Hegarty, Head of College at NMCI, added: “The National Maritime College of Ireland is proud to host Ireland’s maritime stakeholders at the fifth annual Seafarers’ Conference. As our maritime sector undergoes rapid digital and technological transformation, education, training and skills development will be central to ensuring a resilient, sustainable and competitive ocean economy. This conference provides an important platform to explore how data, technology and people will shape the future of seafaring, and I look forward to welcoming participants both in person and online.”
For delegates wishing to attend the conference in-person, please register here: https://NMCISeafarersConf.eventbrite.ie
Online delegates can register here: https://VirtualAttandanceNMCISeafarersConf.eventbrite.ie
The conference main sponsors are Munster Technological University (MTU), NMCI Training Services and the Irish Naval Service (INS), supported by Greentech Skillnet, the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO), EirGrid, the Skipper Magazine, and the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE).
