In light of the changes arising in the shipping industry, technology and digitalization are thriving, bringing along plenty of advantages for those who wish not to stay behind and keep up with the new developments. During an exclusive interview with the SAFETY4SEA team in Oslo’s Nor-Shipping Conference, DNV GL’s Veracity Commercial Director, Magnus Lande, highlighted that digitalization can be successful only if maritime stakeholders unite their expertise and knowledge on smart issues.
Stakeholders within the shipping industry need to experiment more. We need to dare to get our hands more dirty.
Mr Lande focused on the benefits of digitalization, noting that smart shipping can help reduce fuel costs, shipping emissions, boost safety and unite companies’ knowledge in the maritime sector.
Up to now, one of the biggest challenges the industry faced was the lack of knowledge, on the contrary to the innovation and research that is taking place. Although data process could be a powerful tool for the maritime sector, it is still behind.
Therefore, Mr Lande added that the shipping world has better to acknowledge that the biggest change in management processes has already begun and it won’t happen over a night. The whole shipping industry has to cooperate to bring these technological changes smoothly.
Moreover, he stated that what DNV GL puts out in the industry is the call for more cooperation and less proprietary approaches to digitalization, as teamwork could lead to better results than companies trying to evolve behind closed doors.
We should experiment more and not believe that we will buy ourselves out of a solution.
Speaking about digitalization, he referred to DNV GL’s Veracity platform, noting that it promotes collaboration so that digitalization will create a base with values and trust within the shipping industry.
Mr Landen referred to the MoU signed between DNV GL and Kongsberg, which aims to boost digitalization and improve customers’ benefit, highlighting that collaboration is the key.
In the meantime, he noted that cooperation not only will it be in favour of companies’ customers, but also will be used in favour of the choice and benefit of the shipowners, meaning that the latter could use all aspects of smart shipping to improve their position within the industry.
Concluding, Mr Lande stated that digitalization could enhance shipping by understanding what a digital asset tool could provide to the whole maritime sector, while also the opportunities that will follow.
