Wärtsilä surveyed a broad cross-section of maritime professionals across EMEA, the US and APAC about their concerns on digitalization, and what they believe the industry can do to successfully adopt innovative maritime technologies.
In producing the report, Wärtsilä confirmed that two challenges pose urgent challenges that will see organisations either fail, survive, or thrive in the new digital era.
We’ve named them the Kraken of digitalisation and the Selma of decarbonisation
The Kraken of digitalisation thrives on confusion and division, menacing organisations as they navigate their digital transformation journey. Meanwhile, the Selma of decarbonisation continues to threaten the environment, all while the industry struggles to meet sustainability targets.
More specifically, maritime professionals value the benefits new technologies provide, with the survey showing that three-quarters acknowledge the importance of adopting new maritime platforms to be successful.
However, they also have divergent understandings of what this means in practice. Namely, to combat the Kraken and Selma, the industry must collaborate to actualise a maritime ecosystem that’s connected from ship to shore. One that delivers improved efficiencies, better safety and compliance, and greater sustainability for all.
The Kraken of digitalisation: creating doubts around maritime technology
According to Wärtsilä, the Kraken of digitalisation is a mythical beast afflicting maritime professionals with doubts around the benefits of newer technologies. This comes despite widespread recognition that digital transformation is crucial to providing better services.
78% of maritime professionals agree that change and technological innovation is a good thing. This is largely due to perceptions around better adherence to industry-wide regulations, carbon-neutral shipping, increased safety, and greater efficiency.
That said, there are still widespread concerns around the time and money digitalisation requires, whether seafarers have the skills to use newer technologies, and if it’s even possible to retrofit existing infrastructures with digital tools.
Felling the Kraken through maritime innovation
To combat the Kraken, industry professionals need to tackle the confusion it creates around digital adoption. This requires a clear vision on what new technologies mean for seafarers in practice.
Vessels can benefit from more efficient ship-to-shore communication by connecting their navigational systems to ports to automate just-in-time arrivals, while providing the data needed for vessels to adjust their trajectory or speed to the berth allocation
the report suggests.
The Selma of decarbonisation: blocking the path to sustainability
Maritime organisations face increased regulations around decarbonising. Given the industry’s share in global CO2 emissions, the International Maritime Organization committed to cutting the sector’s footprint in half by 2050.
However, decarbonisation targets aren’t being met by the industry, with new regulations making a limited impact. Currently, the maritime industry still produces roughly 2-3% of global emissions.
Our maritime professionals surveyed recognise the seriousness of climate issues, with 8 in 10 acknowledging the crucial role digital technology will play in reducing emissions by 2050
That said, they also face challenges in the here and now, which explains why 37% of respondents confirmed they do the minimum to remain compliant.
Slaying the Selma through sustainable shipping
Alongside climate-related challenges, the industry faces other concerns including supply and demand imbalances, equipment and crew shortages, cybersecurity, and rising costs. Emerging technologies hold the potential to assist with maritime sustainability.
Ultimately, targets and regulations won’t be enough to ensure the industry makes the efforts needed to reach net zero by 2050. Instead, the industry needs to take practical steps by adopting the technologies that will allow them to meet these goals
the report concludes.
EXPLORE MORE at Wärtsilä’s digitalization report
