As the Year of the Horse approaches, optimism is running through parts of the shipping industry — but so are concerns about the pace and scale of change now hitting the sector. For Captain John Lloyd, chief executive of the Nautical Institute, opportunity and risk are closely linked. New technology, fresh regulation and alternative fuels are reshaping shipping, but the real test is whether the people at the sharp end are being properly supported. “Recognising that the Year of the Horse symbolises optimism, we are confident that this coming year will be full of changes,” Lloyd notes. At the core of that confidence is a renewed focus on the human element. “It is greatly recognised that people are at the centre of safe, effective and sustainable shipping,” he explains, adding that while the industry is evolving rapidly, “it has never been more important to ensure that these changes must be supported by knowledge, competence and professionalism.” Lloyd points to the Nautical Institute’s global reach as a key strength. “The Nautical Institute is in a unique position to listen to its global membership of maritime professionals and share that expertise with the industry,” he observes. “This knowledge enables better decision making and supports a more resilient and forward-looking maritime sector.” Even so, he is careful not to gloss over the challenges ahead. “Without being too pessimistic, we recognise that the main concern is not change itself but the volume and complexity of the important decisions that will need to be made by maritime professionals at sea and ashore,” Lloyd cautions. Those decisions, he underlines, directly affect “the safety of the people, the ships and the environment.” A key concern is whether crews and shore-based staff are equipped to cope with that responsibility. “We can only hope that all the maritime professionals around the world who will need to make those decisions daily, have access to reliable information, are dedicated to professional development and support a strong safety culture,” he adds. Looking ahead to 2026, Lloyd highlights three developments set to shape daily operations. First among them is the shift toward alternative fuels. “The transition to new fuels is well under way and it introduces new operational and safety risks,” he points out, stressing that those risks must be “properly identified, understood and addressed.” Advanced technology is another major force. “Digitisation, automation and AI are reshaping our industry,” Lloyd warns. “The pressure of adopting these new technologies mean that we cannot wait to learn from mistakes.” Yet the third pillar remains unchanged. “As the pace of change in the maritime industry accelerates so do skill requirements and workforce expectations,” he says, warning that leadership and decision making will be “a big challenge for this coming year.” On regulation, Lloyd sees the International Maritime Organization retaining its central role despite growing pressures. “The IMO is an essential organisation for world trade and shipping,” he stresses, noting that it ensures ships and seafarers can operate safely across borders. “The IMO provides a platform for collaboration and open discussions for the improvement of the maritime industry.” With technology vendors flooding the market with new products and bold claims, Lloyd returns to a simple test: usefulness at sea. “The big question is whether technology supports safe operations and good decision making in real-wo