An Evolving Maritime Landscape

The launch comes at a time when the maritime sector faces growing pressures to adapt — not only to digital technologies, but also to sustainability targets, workforce shifts, and geopolitical uncertainty. Navigational work, often performed under tight operational constraints and far from public view, is being quietly reshaped by systems that require new skills, new ways of thinking, and new forms of collaboration between humans and machines.
Dr. Sharma sees this complexity not as a problem but as an opportunity — and one where Estonia is well-positioned to lead.
“EMERA is where applied research can really meet practice,” he says. “We’re close to education, close to simulator labs, and closely connected to industry. That makes it a dynamic environment to explore how people actually experience these changes.”

From Sea to Science

Dr. Amit Sharma brings a unique perspective. After seven years at sea as a navigation officer on tankers, he pursued academic research, earning a PhD in nautical operations in Norway with a focus on technology-supported maritime training.
Most recently, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Bergen, studying human interaction in remote and autonomous ship operations. At EMERA, he now combines his practical and academic experience to shape a new research direction.
“It’s a great opportunity to build something meaningful,” says Dr. Sharma. “Navigation isn’t just about technology – it’s about people. We want to better understand how bridge crews make decisions, how they experience new systems, and how we can support them through thoughtful design and training.”
Despite his academic path, he remains anchored in his seafaring roots:
“I’ll always be a mariner at heart. My time at sea shaped how I think and work. That mindset still guides my research.”

A Human-Centred Agenda

The new Nautical Sciences Research Group focuses on the human, operational, and technological dimensions of navigation in digital and automated environments. It investigates how emerging technologies — from smart bridge systems and AI-based decision support to remote monitoring and autonomous operations — are shaping the future of maritime work.
The aim is to generate insights that inform maritime training, system design, safety policy, and innovation — with a clear commitment to keeping human expertise at the center.
While much of the focus in maritime innovation is on what machines can do, Sharma believes the human element is still critical — and under-researched.
“We’re interested in how people navigate complexity — both literally and figuratively,” he explains. “How do mariners perceive, interpret, and act in environments increasingly shaped by automation and data? These are the questions we want to explore.”
“People often think of automation as replacing humans,” he adds. “But in reality, it changes what humans do. That shift can be subtle — and hard to train for. We want to bring it into focus.”
The group works closely with other EMERA researchers in cybersecurity, green maritime technology, and waterways safety management, and actively seeks collaboration with industry partners, public authorities, and international universities.

What Drives the Work

For Dr. Sharma, the motivation lies in the complexity and global relevance of the maritime domain:
“Navigation is not just technical — it’s human, social, and international. Every ship’s bridge is a living system of people, tools, and decisions. Understanding that helps us make maritime work safer, smarter, and more resilient.”
He’s also driven by the opportunity to link research with real-world impact:
“We can help shape how future mariners learn, how designers think about bridge systems, and how safety frameworks evolve. That’s powerful.”
And collaboration plays a central role:
“Working across disciplines — from psychology to engineering — opens new possibilities. And being at EMERA, where applied research is valued, makes the work even more rewarding.”

Looking Ahead

When asked what excites him most about his new role at EMERA, Dr. Sharma highlights the opportunity to build something from the ground up:
“There’s real potential here — to define research directions, shape new partnerships, and strengthen Estonia’s role in the future of maritime operations. I’m especially looking forward to working with students and early-career researchers who bring fresh perspectives and energy.”
He sees the group as a bridge — not only between academia and industry, but also between those who design systems and those who operate them.
“We want to connect theory and practice. That means listening, experimenting, and staying curious.”
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With the launch of the Nautical Sciences Research Group, EMERA reinforces its commitment to advancing science and innovation in the maritime domain. Under Dr. Sharma’s leadership, the group aims to become a thought leader in shaping the human side of future navigation — keeping seafarers at the core of an increasingly digital era.