Technostress and the future of work at sea

Abstract

The maritime industry has experienced profound technological change since the 19th century. Advancements such as big data analysis, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things have enhanced the functioning of ships by modernizing operation systems and making them safer and more profitable. Nevertheless, other than intensifying the efficiency of these systems, modern technologies have also brought numerous challenges to maritime workers. For instance, research shows that the rate at which technologies are implemented in ships and the stress a seafarer is exposed to learn the functionality of new technologies has impactful adverse effects on the mental health of seafarers, termed as technostress. This paper focuses on analyzing the technostress phenomenon in the maritime industry. Mainly, it concentrates on determining the effects of technological stress on seafarers' mental health on board ships. In addition, the paper seeks to investigate the status of the international legislation on technostress. Finally, since the future of the maritime industry is assumed to rely entirely on the modernization of the operations through technological advances, this paper seeks to create awareness among the maritime stakeholders about the existence of the phenomenon of technostress and proffer intervention approaches. The results presented in this article were obtained from a research field study, considered as the first of its kind in the topic of technostress, that the author conducted on a Newly built Danish-flagged commercial vessel.

Keywords: Technostress, Future of Work, Sea

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1005747