Our special column asked from the winners of the first SMART4SEA – EUROPORT Awards, which were announced in early November on the sidelines of EUROPORT, to assess the digital status of the shipping industry and suggest ways to move forward and change the path toward a more sustainable future.
If you could change one thing that would have an either profound or immediate impact on Digital/Smart performance across the industry, what this one thing would it be and why?
Tor A. Svanes, Managing Director, NAVTOR
Communication onboard; it is an issue that comes to surface constantly. Improvements not only with regards to connectivity, but also the cost are vital for the life onboard. Just remember, that crew members also want also to use facebook. Therefore, we need to find equipment that will improve communication in order to see major changes onboard.
Christos Papakis, Administrative Officer, HEMEXPO
Collaboration and encouraging other stakeholders to invest in shipping industry. In HEMEXPO we believe that we have to make steady steps to encourage all sectors within the maritime industry to cooperate in order all together to promote change.
Gijsbert de Jong, Marine Marketing & Sales Director, Bureau Veritas
Enhancing collaboration can have a profound impact on the maritime communication and beyond. This is actually a process to regain balance but it has to benefit all stakeholders.
Jamie Jones, Head of Operations, GTMaritime
Cyber resilience quote possibly. Also, as an immediate change, crew access to internet is vital. Therefore, organizations need to put aside those barriers that hinder effective communication and as an industry, we certainly need to raise awareness towards.
Above views were presented during a panel discussion at the award ceremony of first SMART4SEA – EUROPORT Awards, 5 November, Rotterdam.