Frank Coles, CEO, Transas gave a brief picture of the maritime landscape highlighting how important a real change is for the industry. However, he noted, it is time to show industry the way. Old business practices and reluctance to change will be among the biggest smart shipping challenges for the 2017; industry needs to figure out the way to solve these issues.
SAFETY4SEA: Do you think there was a significant success and/or progress made with respect to smart shipping during 2016? Focusing on your area of expertise, what were the most important industry developments within 2016?
Frank Coles: I think the discussion is in full swing, but I am not sure we have made progress in setting the picture and value to the industry. The most significant development in the industry was the election of Donald Trump, as he is going to change the landscape dramatically for business.
S4S: Focusing on your area of expertise, what do you think that it will be the biggest smart shipping challenge(s) for the industry for the 2017?
F.C.: Naturally skeptical, cash strapped customers, old business practices and reluctance to change. We have to show the industry how, not just keep telling them they should change.
S4S: What would be the 2017 resolutions for your company/ organization? What are your goals and aspirations to assist industry towards its transition to a ‘smart era’? Do you have any new projects on the pipeline and/or plans for 2017 that you would like to share?
F.C.: To deliver the first THESIS combined solution to the industry, and continue the message in connecting the dots, ship, shore, traffic control and training.
The views presented hereabove are only those of the author and not necessarily those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.