Electrical studies for Marine Engineers

Abstract

The reason behind this research is the increasing amount of digitization and electrification onboard in the maritime industry. The aim for this bachelor thesis is to identify if there is a skill gap between, what the electrical education at Chalmers University of Technology offers in their marine engineering program, compared to the competence and proficiency needed in that line of profession. The foremost method to answer the research questions were two quantitative surveys, which were sent to candidates at the marine engineer program at Chalmers University of Technology and marine engineers working onboard various types of vessels. The survey sent to the candidates was designed to learn their opinion about the quality and content of the electrical education. The other survey, which was sent to engine officers, had questions regarding the expectations and needs from the maritime industry. At the end of this bachelor thesis the conclusion states that there is a skill gap of competence and knowledge. The foremost common gap is in the practical area were the engine officers opinion is that more methods for practical faultfinding is needed in the education provided by Chalmers University of Technology. It is also concluded that the education is performed in a good manner with high quality compared with the STCW requirements, which makes the requirements seem inadequate and in some aspects, outdated.