The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is set to make a significant contribution to the global economy and of course shipping industry by 2023. This is according to a new study launched by Inmarsat, which highlights that there will be increased automation and operational efficiency through the use of real time data and machine-to-machine communication.
Namely, increased automation and operational efficiency can be achieved by using real time data and machine-to-machine communication. However, access to reliable and resilient connectivity, particularly in remote regions or at sea, where terrestrial networks are not available, will be essential to the success of many IIoT deployments. These results come from the 2018 edition of Inmarsat’s research programme into IIoT trends: ‘IIoT on Land and at Sea’.
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As for shipping, the study notes that specific attention will be given to ‘gateway’ IIoT-based solutions, in order to meet regulatory and cost efficiency requirements. In this, IMO’s rules to reduce shipping emissions, contribute greatly, as in order for ships to comply, IIoT solutions could provide answer to monitor, report and verify fuel use. Today, 65% of ship owners have or are trying IIoT-based fuel consumption monitoring, with 9% expected to do the same in the next 12 months.
However, half of the maritime respondents in the study said that they either do not aim at or do not expect greater compliance as an outcome of IIoT solutions. Nevertheless, owners are starting to adopt a maritime world where the class societies are trialling drones to support ship inspections, where shipboard CCTV monitoring improves safety and security, and where digital platforms are joining IIoT.
IIoT-based solutions will also be driven by IIoT leaders, which represent a larg segment of respondents. While shipping still much way to go, a significant portion of respondents can be seen as recognising the digital opportunities.
Despite the progress, however, Inmarsat says that:
What is also 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.
