Call to Action for Achieving a Just Transition for Africa’s Seafarers

This initiative aims to ensure a just and inclusive transition for African seafarers as the global shipping industry moves toward decarbonization. With new zero-emission fuels and technologies emerging, hundreds of thousands of seafarers, especially in Africa, will require updated training to safely operate future vessels. The initiative, led by African maritime institutions and supported by global climate actors, focuses on investing in training infrastructure, increasing opportunities for African cadets, promoting gender diversity, aligning with global labor standards, and updating curricula to reflect the needs of a decarbonized maritime sector. It calls on governments, industry, and climate finance institutions to act urgently so that Africas seafarers are not left behind in the green transition.

Activity period	2024–present
Last CoAct update	2025
Web URL	https://climatechampions.unfccc.int/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Call-to-Action-For-Achieving-a-Just-Transition-for-Africas-Seafarers.pdf
Output effectiveness	0.00
Accountability Index	0.17
Inclusiveness Index	0.51
Capacity Index	0.12
Num. actors	21
Functions	Knowledge production, Knowledge dissemination, Institutional capacity building, Training, Funding, Policy planning
SDGs
Themes	oceans and coastal zones, industry
Policy focus	Mainly mitigation
Sectors	Transporation and storage, Professional, scientific and technical activities
Implementation countries	Ghana, Kenya, South Africa

Target	Target type
Net zero emissions for shipping by 2050	Emission reduction target
Up to 800,000 seafarers could require additional training by the mid-2030s to use these low- to zero-carbon fuels	Other target

CoAct Database