Analysis of the Impact of Low Seafarer Competency on Maritime Accident Trends: Empirical Evidence from 2023–2025

Abstract

Maritime accidents remain a critical concern for global shipping safety despite the widespread implementation of international regulatory frameworks, particularly the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention. Accident data from 2023–2025 indicate that human factors especially inadequate seafarer competence—continue to be the dominant contributors to maritime incidents. This study examines the impact of low seafarer competence on maritime accident trends during the 2023–2025 period and identifies systemic factors influencing competency development from the perspectives of regulators, shipping companies, and maritime education and training institutions. A mixed qualitative–quantitative research design was applied. Data were collected through document analysis of international maritime accident reports, STCW audit records, and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, including maritime regulators, shipping companies, training institutions, and seafarer associations. The analysis employed descriptive statistical assessment, accident cause-factor mapping, and systemic interaction analysis among institutional actors.The findings reveal that maritime accidents during 2023–2025 were dominated by collisions, groundings, and vessel sinkings, with approximately 60–70% of incidents associated with human error linked to low seafarer competence. The study identifies three major contributing factors: weak regulatory oversight, limited corporate accountability in verifying crew competence, and inadequate quality assurance in maritime training institutions. These findings indicate a persistent gap between STCW competency standards and their practical implementation, which often remains compliance-oriented rather than competency-based. The study concludes that low seafarer competence represents a structural challenge within the maritime safety system. Strengthening competency-based regulatory enforcement, improving institutional governance of maritime training systems, and involving seafarer associations as independent professional oversight actors are recommended to enhance maritime safety. Future research should employ broader longitudinal datasets and advanced inferential analytical methods to further examine the relationship between seafarer competence and accident risk.