Despite facing several challenges (i.e. fall in freight rates, overcapacity, competition), commercial ships are becoming more and more connected, but also the workforce onboard them are being digital natives potentially trained on new technologies; seafarers who expect ubiquitous connectivity. This article is an overview of the shift from manual to digital systems and processes, a shift into … systems, driven by the aforesaid challenges and developed by both maritime-focused start-ups and organizations that have been around for a long while; the so-called pioneering technology leaders.
From manual systems to digital technologies: 7 Benefits
- Time saving
- Cost reduction
- Greater efficiency
- Cleaner transport
- Higher customer satisfaction
- Operational stability
- Security and error prevention
Shipping Digitalization: Where do we stand
– Connectivity: Connectivity in shipping industry offers many benefits such as remote asset management that leverages data from critical on-board equipment systems to enable more efficient maintenance through predictive diagnostics. It further assists in vessel operations optimization as well as route management for improved fuel efficiency, while smart sensor and actuator networks help ensure safer ship operations
– Electronification: The electronification benefits in shipping industry can be divided in three areas;
- The electronic exchange of information on cargo, crew but also passengers with the aim to reduce errors, improve tracking and traceability, and reduce freight waiting and stopover times.
- The electronic ship clearance: The FAL Convention was agreed amended to require the implementation of electronic ship clearance by April 2019. This decision was also followed by information that IMO is continuing its work on developing a prototype electronic single window software for interested member states. Electronic and digital port clearance will simplify the port call process, but it will also force the administrations to go through all their reporting requirements and hopefully reduce the confusion related to what information is required in what format in what port.
- The support of electronic ship certificates: Many flag states now offer the opportunity of electronic ship certificates, as PDF documents that can be printed out when needed. Such certificates can be developed as fully electronic documents, e.g. in XML format, with secure digital signatures.
[smlsubform prepend=”GET THE SAFETY4SEA IN YOUR INBOX!” showname=false emailtxt=”” emailholder=”Enter your email address” showsubmit=true submittxt=”Submit” jsthanks=false thankyou=”Thank you for subscribing to our mailing list”]
– Machine learning: As of now in shipping industry we see machine learning techniques, in the area of performance assessment, fault diagnosis, predictive diagnosis and optimization in service.
– Internet of Things: Thanks to IoT cargo handling and preemptive maintenance are becoming easier. This technology can improve the cargo handling based on satellite coverage, common sensor technology and the power of cloud computing, collecting data including voyage, weather, maintenance, machinery and state of cargo.
However, although shipping industry seems to embrace digital transformation, falls short in the transformation of business by changing the business strategy.
What is clear is, not only that some maritime companies are not responding to the increasing digitalisation, but that industry strategists and managers have plenty of work to do to prepare procedures, skillsets and security to take best advantage of the opportunities on offer
Inmarsat says.