SMART4SEA Forum successfully concluded

The inaugural SMART4SEA Forum, a PRO BONO event, successfully concluded on Monday 22^nd of February 2016 in Eugenides Foundation, Athens attracting 600 delegates from 12 countries representing a total of 280 organizations.

A unique panel of 14 global experts presented latest smart shipping perspectives and operational challenges and introduced the smart ship concept by explaining to the audience the new technologies on computing power, communication, ship design and big data. Speakers presentation were focused on the important smart shipping challenges such as cyber security, e-navigation, autonomous ships, ECDIS software, new technology applications

The SMART4SEA Forum was organized by SAFETY4SEA and sponsored by FURUNO who was the lead sponsor of the event and also by:ABS, ALBA, Danaos Management Consultants S.A, DNV GL, HEMEXPO, NAVTOR, SGL Engineering Ltd, SQE MARINE, SQE ACADEMY, SRH Marine Electronics SA and SWANNET. Furthermore, the event was supported by: AMMITEC, Chios Marine Club, EENMA, ECOMASYN, Piraeus Marine Club, WIMA, WISTA Hellas and Yacht Club of Greece.

During his welcome address Apostolos Belokas, Founder and Managing Editor of SAFETY4SEA, outlined the objectives of this PROBONO event towards fostering smart and sustainable shipping.

Presentations were given in two sessions as follows:

Session 1: Smart Shipping Perspectives

• Apostolos-Belokas, Founder & Managing Editor, SAFETY4SEA opened the forum by introducing briefly the current and future smart shipping challenges. He gave a general definition of ‘smart’ which means the application of knowledge and technology adding real value on both commercial and technical levels for all stakeholders. He explained that ‘smart’ applies to the shipping industry by the increased connectivity of equipment & people, sensors & automation, big data analytics, tracking and monitoring, Condition Based Maintenance & optimisation, ship, equipment & HR data management. Mr Belokas concluded his presentation with three smart shipping snapshots: Inmarsat view of maritime communications future, Quantum of the seas; the world’s first smartship and Maersk tankers 3D printing.
• Christos Emmanouilidis, Business Development, DANAOS gave a presentation on ‘’Managing the Smart Ship’’. He showcased a case study to address the benefits of big data analysis which are as follows: situation awareness and forecasting, managing end to end processes within the company and partners, capitalising on mobility to react on time to the upcoming challenges, fully meeting statutory requirements.
• Ioannis Arabatzis, Managing Director, HEMEXPO presented the available ‘’Smart technologies for shipping’’ developed by Hellenic Marine Manufacturers and Exporters. From smart, nanotechnology driven coatings to intelligent surge protective devices, Hellenic manufacturers may drive the innovation to the “Smart Ship” concept. A wide range of technologies and value offerings shape a novelty approach that serves the Hellenic and International shipping industry. He highlighted that consistency, responsiveness, quality, performance and an end-user centric approach are the main pillars of product offering.
• Spyros G. Leloudas, Technical Director, SGL Engineering focused his presentation on the ‘’Smart use of 3D laser Scanning and inspections by drones’’. He explained that 3D Laser Scanning is a tool for collecting large amount of accurate data within a short time; in essence these scanners collect millions of individual point measurements having each point coordinates and color information.  The 3D Scanning work can be performed from land with equipment such as Scanners set on tripods or from air using drones, equipped with various sensors including scanners, cameras etc. From the data collected, an array of drawings and detailed information can be produced and presented, such as 3D Solid Model 3D Intelligent Model including 3D Drawings, Sections, Side & Top views, Isometrics etc
• Hyuk-Soon Kwon, Vice President, SWANNET presented the ‘’Vessel Indoor Positioning Technology based on SWAN’’ (Shipboard Wireless Area Network). He analysed the main features and benefits of the system noting that it is an integrated wired and wireless solution in the vessel for crew’s safety, convenience and asset management.
• Panos Yannoulis, President, Oceanking introduced to the audience the ‘’ESSF Smart Financing Tools’’. He explained that the European Sustainable Shipping Forum (ESSF) was created by the European Commission in 2013 with the aim to foster sustainable maritime transport. Its work is divided in sub- groups such as the Sub-group on Financing Aspects which is currently in the process of “calibrating” an innovative Green Shipping Financing Tool (GSFT). The main idea of the GSFT is to find “smart” ways to overcome main existing barriers for commercial banks to finance the introduction of “green” technologies which are required to meet challenging international and European environmental regulations.

Session 2 : Operational Challenges

• Yannis Papaefthimiou, Managing Director, FURUNO gave a presentation on the ‘’ECDIS use in the modern era’’. He noted that ECDIS is a milestone marking the industry’s transition from paper to digital navigation; 58% of the world’s fleet is now using ECDIS showing that the industry is on track for adoption in the end of the decade. Large vessels & tanker operators have successfully faced ECDIS adoption challenges that now cargo ship operators are finding on their doorstep. He advised that for setting the right phase-in policy and fully understanding the extent for management of change, there is need for teamwork between ship operators and ECDIS makers.
• Willy Zeiler, Marketing & Communications Manager, NAVTOR analysed the ‘’e-navigation solutions in the smart shipping context’’ using the example of his company’s back-of-bridge planning software which simplifies the process of safe and economical route planning, including easy  access to and use of digital e-Nav information.
• Panagiota P. Chrysanthi, DPA & QSE Manager, Andriaki Shipping presented ‘’lessons learned from the ECDIS transition from paper to digital’’. She advised that the industry can benefit from the advantages of the electronic navigation and control the safety risks with a smooth and methodical transition considering in the process the following key issues: Evolution, Consistency, Diligence, Integration and Safety.
• Themistoklis Sardis, IT manager, AMMITEC focused his presentation on the ‘’Cyber Security at Sea’’. He provided a brief introduction of cyber security in general and then referred to cyber security issues related to the shipping industry. To enhance maritime cyber security awareness in the industry, he suggested addressing the issue in a risk based approach in order to avoid cyber threats and possible attacks on ships.
• Paul R. Walters, Assistant Chief Engineer, ABS referred to ‘’Smart Ships Demand Quality Software and Cyber Security. He presentedthe need to improve software quality onboard marine and offshore assets. He also addressed cyber security and CyberSafety^TM, pointing to the four key elements for achieving safety and security objectives: traceability, documentation, transparency and verification. He explained that these requirements are self-evident and continue beyond the initial build into the maintenance phase. Mr Walters concluded his presentation advising that it is critical to understand how updates will be integrated and the global impact individual equipment update can have on the full-integrated system.
• Michael Servos, Energy Manager, Tsakos (TCM) presented the smart related issues of ‘’Big Data, Hull & Propeller Performance’’ and identified areas of energy improvements. During his presentation, Mr Servos focused on confident decision making, based on quantification of performance and reduction of uncertainty in it, through big data analysis.
• George Dimopoulos, Principal Research Engineer, DNV GL Maritime closed the forum with a presentation focusing on ‘’Energy efficiency optimisation in practice’’. He explained DNV-GL’s approach and experience on assessing and improving the energy efficiency of ships in practice. He highlighted how important is to ensure quantification and insight to both systems and operations for the efficiency of maritime assets in practice. He also presented DNV GL’s computer-based framework COSSMOS and its application to produce tangible efficiency improvements to both newbuildings and ships in service.

All sessions ended with a round table discussion and exchange with the audience.

Finally Apostolos Belokas, Forum Chairman, thanked the delegates for their participation, the sponsors and supporters for their support and the speakers for their excellent presentations and also the organizing team of the event for their contribution towards forum objectives.