Revitalization of Maritime Libraries in Strengthening Shipping Literacy and Policy

Abstract

This study aims to examine the strategic role of maritime libraries in supporting the strengthening of shipping legal and policy literacy in the maritime vocational education environment. With a descriptive qualitative approach, this study involved one maritime professional, two vocational lecturers, and three graduates of shipping schools as key informants. The research findings indicate that maritime libraries are currently not optimally utilized as centers for maritime legal and policy literacy. Although the effectiveness and efficiency scores in learning shipping management, maritime business, and maritime finance are relatively high, there are significant weaknesses in the aspects of availability, relevance, and recency of library materials. Literacy of international documents such as UNCLOS, STCW, SOLAS, MARPOL, and MLC is still minimal in learning practices. Therefore, revitalization of the maritime library system is a must in order to support the formation of professional sailors who are legally aware, adaptive to global policies, and able to manage the regulatory challenges of international shipping. This study recommends the integration of libraries into the curriculum, maritime information literacy training, and improving the competence of maritime librarians.