Clearer Communication in a Digital Maritime Sector: PraC-MARENG Plus Invites October Pilot Users

PraC-MARENG Plus is bringing profession-based Maritime English courses online and inviting port professionals, educators and learners to help shape the next stage through a short pilot this October.

A security instruction changes. A delivery needs clarifying. A freight movement is delayed. Across a port call, people working for different organisations need to understand the same message and act on it. The language used to report a problem, confirm an instruction or explain the next step can make a practical difference.

PraC-MARENG Plus is developing Maritime English learning around these everyday responsibilities. The current focus combines course integration, partner review and initial user testing, connecting the partnership’s specialist teaching materials with the experience of using them online.

Why communication matters as ports get digital

The wider maritime sector is also placing people at the centre of digital change. In March 2026, IMO’s Facilitation Committee approved a maritime digitalisation strategy emphasising interoperable systems, information sharing and human-centred design, ahead of further review and intended Assembly adoption in 2027

For PraC-MARENG Plus, this direction reinforces a practical priority: the people exchanging information need opportunities to practise clear communication. A digital record or message still has to be understood, checked and followed up. The project addresses that language-learning need through the work of port and shore personnel.

From specialist content to online learning

Modules covering Port Security Officers, Ship Chandlers / Suppliers, Marine Surveyors / Environmental Inspectors, Port Authority Officials / Managers and Freight Forwarders are now online. Further profession-based modules are being finalised and integrated as partner reviews are completed

The development work goes beyond making teaching files available. Partners are checking how learners enter a module, understand its purpose, move between activities and use the accompanying language support. Current refinements include clearer module overviews, contextual terminology, pronunciation activities and the presentation of assessments.

One example comes from the Port Security Officer module. Its scenario places the learner in a passenger-terminal situation where the security level changes during a ship call. The communication challenge is to brief staff, coordinate with the ship’s security officer, respond calmly to an access-control issue and provide a concise situation report. This gives language practice a recognisable professional purpose.

Other learning materials address written communication and the handling of operational issues in freight forwarding. Across these different roles, the aim is to help learners practise language in context: identifying what information matters, communicating it clearly and checking understanding.

Take part in the October piloting

This October, PraC-MARENG Plus is running a short initial English-language piloting exercise as modules become ready for testing. We invite port and terminal staff, other shore-based maritime professionals, maritime students and vocational learners, Maritime English educators and trainers, e-learning specialists and industry representatives to take part.

Participants are invited to try a relevant available module or an agreed selection of activities and share brief feedback on usability, accessibility and educational usefulness. Educators can comment on the learning experience; practitioners can help assess whether the language and situations reflect their work. Technical reviewers can help identify difficulties in navigation, audio or access across devices.

Explore the course platform: https://course.prac-marengplus.com/login/index.php

To join the pilot, arrange access or receive the module and feedback instructions, contact info@prac-marengplus.com, use https://prac-marengplus.com/contact, or speak to your local project partner. Please mention your role and the course area that interests you.

Feedback from this initial exercise will guide improvements to the content and platform and inform the later structured piloting and validation stage. Your experience can help make Maritime English learning more useful where ships, ports and people meet.

About PraC-MARENG Plus

PraC-MARENG Plus brings together Constanța Maritime University, MARITIME INNOVATORS, VILNIUS TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY, the Polytechnic University of Cartagena, the University of Rijeka and Munster Technological University. The partnership is developing a digital, job-oriented Maritime English training and assessment framework for port and shore personnel.

PraC-MARENG Plus | Erasmus+ | Project 2025-1-RO01-KA220-HED-000363844.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.