The highly anticipated Senior Maritime Executive Report 2025 is here, and it offers a fascinating glimpse into the realities facing the industry’s top leaders. Produced internally by Faststream Recruitment based on survey participant responses, this year’s report reveals a sector at a crossroads: optimistic about the future, yet candid about the pressures reshaping leadership, people, and business strategy.
So, what’s on the minds of maritime’s senior executives in 2025?
Career confidence is on the up, but succession planning remains weak. Job security concerns have eased, but only 17% of leaders feel confident in their succession planning. Retirements on the horizon make this a critical gap to address.
People priorities dominate. Culture is seen as the biggest driver of business performance, while developing and retaining talent takes centre stage. Executives are turning to the “Build, Buy, Borrow, Bot” playbook to future-proof their workforces.
AI is here to stay. Two-thirds of executives report their businesses are already using AI. But only 10% feel highly confident in their strategies, raising questions about who will lead the charge on digital transformation.
Reward is under scrutiny. Rising employee expectations and tighter margins mean executives must strike a delicate balance. Executive pay, in particular, is facing more transparency and accountability pressures.
Future leadership looks different. From Chief AI Officers to Chief Sustainability Officers, the next wave of C-suite roles reflects the twin forces of digital and environmental transformation.
“The strongest message is that people remain the defining factor in maritime’s future. Technology and cost control matter, but without the right culture, capability, and leadership, progress will falter.”
The report makes it clear: the future of maritime will be written by its people, from today’s executives seeking challenge, to new generations stepping forward, to leaders rethinking reward and culture.
Download the full Senior Maritime Executive Report 2025 to explore the insights in detail and see how they could shape your business.
