The SMART4SEA Virtual Forum successfully concluded on February 24th focusing on the implication of the pandemic in the short and long term and holding discussions on how the industry should work in creating a smarter future for shipping.
The event was organized by SAFETY4SEA having as lead sponsors the following organizations: Inmarsat, MacGregor & SQE MARINE. The event was also sponsored by: ABB, ABS, The American Club, Blue Planet Shipping, Bureau Veritas, Capital-Executive Ship Management Corp., Capital Gas Ship Management Corp., Capital Ship Management Corp., CR Ocean Engineering LLC, DNVGL, Dorian LPG, Eastern Mediterranean Maritime Limited (EASTMED), ERMA FIRST, Green Jakobsen, JOTUN, LATSCO, MarineTraffic, NAVTOR, OCEANKING, Palau International Ship Registry, RINA, RISK4SEA, Safebridge, SHIP Data Center, The Swedish Club, Tototheo Maritime, Tsakos Group of Companies, UK P&I Club, WALLEM, Wärtsilä Voyage, World Link Communications.
Panel 1 – Digital Shipping
The pandemic is regarded widely as a digital accelerator. Since COVID-19 outbreak, we witnessed a rapid migration to digital technologies in all industries and sectors. The speed of this change is unprecedented: digital is key to shipping industry as well, and the next normal to follow. In fact, for shipping organizations, the continuity of operations critically depends on their digital capabilities.
key takeaways on Digital Shipping
Mr. Ronald Spithout, Inmarsat Maritime, provided a keynote presentation on the acceleration of digitalisation and the impact of the pandemic on operations and crew welfare including the presentation of research from Inmarsat’s Digitalisation Uncovered and Welfare 2.0 reports.
Mr. Georgios Plevrakis, ABS, refered to smart applications for energy efficiency and decarbonization noting that today, we digitize information, all processes and roles that make up the operations of a business so as to digitally transfor the business and its strategy.
Mr. Tom Evensen, Jotun, briefly touched on the outcome of MEPC 75, covering EEXI, CII and SEEMP and discussed how the industry is currently handling biofouling implications and challenges.
Capt. Vikrant Sharma, ShipDC, highlighted that in order to unleash the full potential of data, we need to define data ownership, delegate roles and responsibilities for data collection, distribution, and utilization, and work in collaboration.
Mr. Stavros F. Papageorgiou, LATSCO Marine Management, explained how shipping owners and technical managers have decided to face the smart challenges and move forward highlighting that future regulations illustrate the need for the use of new technology to adapt ourselves to the new era
Mr. Panos Theodossopoulos, Oceanking, noted that this is the era of Digitalization 2.0 in shipping where digital solutions have increased and matured, while new regulation requirements are also favoring the need of new operational models through the utilization of digital technologies.
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Panel 2 – Smart Shipping Applications
The discussion of the digital transformation is not new. Shipping industry managed to switch from the traditional way of operations into a modern and smart environment; Although, digitalization was firstly met with skepticism, now industry acknowledges that new technological developments are key to improving efficiency in every front.
Key takeaways on Smart Shipping Applications
- Industry is a complex industry but flexible and capable to adapt to new smart developments
- Industry stakeholders adapt to new technology with a different pace; business strategy to adopt and embrace digitalization is vital towards that end
- With regards to digitalization, shipping can learn many things from the aviation industry
- Instead of only thinking about new applications, we should also consider how to reskill crew onboard
- We have seen more change in 8 months than 250 years; simulation, cloud, elearning and VR are here already.
- The next generation is ready for a smarter shipping; shifting to future maritime training solutions is vital
Mr. Valentinos Steliou, Safebridge, stated the industry is rapidly adopting the concept of non-technical skills and its application in crewing however, it lacks a complete, industry and rank-specific solution to both assess and develop such skills amongst their crew.
Mr. James Lee, Wärtsilä Voyage, reviewed where we are in terms of digitalization and training, and share some insight on lessons and data from 2020 and how we can apply it to future training and skills development using technology.
Mr. Arild Risholm Sæther, Navtor, highlighted the importance of simplifying the operational task and referred to the top four day-to-day operational challenges facing some of the operators: environmental efficiency, administration, proving performance and trouble shooting
Mr. Dimitris Zisimopoulos, RINA, advocated for software solutions capable to fully replace the paper copy of the register books that can reduce paperwork on board, enhance the reliability of the records, and their compliance with International Regulations minimizing the risk of human errors.
Mr. Zois Dagkaris, Euronav noted that the procurement function in shipping has been largely left behind in the digital revolution. A truly digital procurement organization can do many things that will benefit the business. The real question should not be “why go digital?” but “when?”
Panel 3 – Cyber Resilience
Cyber has been the new normal due to the pandemic. In fact, the COVID-19 crisis has reshaped the cyber-threat landscape around the globe as well as in the maritime industry. 2021 signals a new era for cyber security from a regulatory perspective, but in order to succeed, cybersecurity awareness must transcend the whole industry and touch upon every front.
Key takeaways on Cyber Resilience
- IT world transforms rapidly while digitalization has proven iteslf a resilient tool during the pandemic
- Adopting a cybersecurity culture has become vital for every organizations
- Connectivity is now an essential part of safety onboard but comes with cyber risks
- People are the weakest link; make them aware to enhance cyber security. We need to consider how crew will not be exposed to cyber risks
- Human element is crucial; by 2025, we will have more failures related to cyber security due to human error
- Proper cyber security enables trust, resulting to more data and efficient decision making
- In order to manage cyber risks, companies need the right tools to defend threats and vulnerabilitites
- The main drivers for cyber security are the increased number of incidents, new regulation and the digital transformation
- People, processes and technology are the three key pillars of cyber resilience
- Cyber incidents will happen. The key question is ‘are we ready’?
Mr. Simon Fotakis, Tototheo, referred to the risks of not having a good cyber security strategy as well as the increased risks of sophisticated threat actors and attacks such as viruses, highlighting that trusted data results in better business.
Mrs. Olga Karali, DNVGL, supported that cyber security needs to be tackled in a holistic way and to build cyber security resilience across three important pillars People-Processes-Technology. The global pandemic has challenged shipping operations which will gradually rely more on technology and data.
Mr. John Wilson, American Club, highlighted that a basic understanding of cyber hygiene by shipping company executives and the personnel onboard need to be a part of the discussions between insurers, brokers and the assured, so as to eliminate business interruption and comply with regulatory requirements.
Mr. Derek Rose, V.Group, questioned how effectively the industry has built a human firewall to ensure people are prepared in the event of a cyber incident. The main attacks affect vessels is in the form of phishing, he noted, highlighting that we should not only depend upon anti-virus software to block this.
Explore more about the event at: https://events.safety4sea.com/2021-smart4sea-virtual-forum/
