SADIT-MAR COURSE-5: Capacity Building for Safe Digital Transformation in Developing Maritime Economies

SADIT-MAR lecture titled “Capacity Building for Safe Digital Transformation in Developing Maritime Economies” by Dr. José M. Cabrera has been published, highlighting how developing maritime economies are increasingly strengthening their role in global trade despite structural challenges such as limited infrastructure and digital inequality. The lecture emphasizes capacity building as a key driver of skill development, resources, and institutional capabilities, while addressing barriers such as governance fragmentation and cybersecurity risks, and underlines the importance of global standards and international cooperation to achieve an inclusive and sustainable digital transformation.

Key topics covered in the lecture include

• Digital transformation is the use of data and technologies, such as the internet, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital twins, to improve efficiency and quality of life in maritime contexts.
• Shared socioeconomic pathways are presented as scenarios in which factors such as population growth, economic development, energy systems, and education influence digital transformation and potential digital inequality.
• Developing maritime economies are characterized by limited resources, infrastructure challenges, and economic imbalances, yet increasing participation in ocean-related exports is observed.
• Capacity building is the development of skills, abilities, resources, and processes to enable survival, adaptation, and long-term growth in a digitalized maritime sector.
• Standards dissemination, international cooperation, and partnerships within sustainable development frameworks are highlighted as mechanisms to support digital transformation and reduce inequality.