Technology is a transformative trend, bringing advantages and challenges in the shipping sector. The megatrends presented are Transformative technology, Advanced data analytics, Soft risks, Changing workplace demographics, Evolving safety models.
  • Transformative technology.

Technology is the truly transformative megatrend – artificial intelligence, along with robotics, automation, data and monitoring, will play a significant role in preventing harm and eliminating or reducing safety risks.

Most importantly, AI is able to eliminate people from harm. Drones will also prevent people from entering hazardous areas and conducting hazardous tasks. Also, it has the potential of reducing the frequency of harm.

  • Advanced data analytics.

Data science allows us to understand patterns across vast amounts of data will help us to look ahead and try to predict accidents before they happen.

The average safety team, has an abundance of average safety data. But, it is often stored in SILOS. Therefore, one isn't able to aggregate that data and learn from it.

The combination of data analytics, along with artificial intelligence will provide information and a future look on accidents that could and later on prevent them.

  • Soft risks.

When thinking of safety, one thinks of the traditional, physical risks. Today, we see soft risk, which is the element of: Stress, Fatigue, mental health and well-being.

Technology on the one hand causes these problems and contributes to their development.

On the other hand, technology could also solve these problems, by monitoring them.

  • Changing workplace demographics.

Today, there has been a change in the employment pattern, from the perspective of the employers and the perspective of the employees.

Employees decide to work longer, for financial reasons.

A younger workforce as well as an older workforce -who chose to stay in employment longer- are very different.

Both parties have different expectations for work. The younger ones have more demands due to their education and knowledge and will also be employed for shorter timeframes, in comparison to the elderly party that have stayed on the same job for years. It is rather difficult to consider the safety pattern, train and equipment for both groups.

Data science and research is shedding new light on the well-established safety theories and there is a need for a fresh and informed perspective on safety theories and how we manage contemporary safety challenges.

  • Evolving safety models.

Data science and research is shedding new light on the well-established safety theories and there is a need for a fresh and informed perspective on safety theories and how we manage contemporary safety challenges.

Safety remained unchanged based on how we think about safety, and how we manage it.

Mr James Pomeroy suggests that there aren't similarities between minor incidents and serious outcomes.

In comparison to the past, we need to rethink the safety pattern and what we tell our employees to report. Data science and analytics play an important role to that.

However, the fatal rate of incidents hasn't change and this is a challenge for every employer.