How connectivity, tech is disrupting the maritime sector
According to the Global Marine Technology 2030 report, technological advances have led to the emergence of new ways of working which is necessitated by the need to optimise operations, explore new opportunities or meet modern-day challenges facing the industry.
The report further points out that the trends to look out for now and in the future relates to shipbuilding, propulsion and powering, smart shipping, big data and analytics, advanced materials, robotics, sensors and communications.
As broadband connectivity becomes more pervasive, the industry has seen the proliferation of smart shipping and smart ports and the infusion of smart technologies like sensors, Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence which has improved operations and safety both at the port and at sea. Digital twin technologies have made it simpler and easier to design, build and improve the shipping hull.
The advent of 3D printing is also noticeable due to the interest in producing parts that a ship might in an emergency.
The introduction of smart applications such as autonomous ships which use similar technology like driverless cars is increasingly becoming commonplace in the high seas. While the ships are not expected to be piloted completely by computers, they free up the crew onboard to attend to other tasks.
The use of this technology is resulting in fewer accidents and less costly operations. The adoption of virtual reality (VR) applications in training simulations for pilots is proving to be equally valuable, as is the use of drones in conducting ship to shore deliveries.
The use of these smart solutions has slashed operational costs as it has negated the need to hire expensive boats to conduct similar tasks. The deployment of this equipment has also played a vital role in security as the drones double up as additional surveillance looking out for stowaways.
In addition, the adoption of these technology solutions has significantly improved operations and made them much safer. The deployment of sensors on ships and yards has resulted in a noticeable improvement in safety at the ports, as this has improved communications between ships, enhancing better communications around issues of ship proximity and speed, thus preventing collisions. Sensors installed in lighthouses also have been crucial in proving warning signals of potential collisions.
Areas of improvement
The progress that the maritime industry has achieved to integrate technology into its operations is very encouraging, however, there are areas of improvement and a lot more can still be done to fully harness the power of ICT. Collaboration among industry players remains one of the missing links that need to be plugged. Big maritime players and tech start-ups are not working in concert, but instead, seem to be pulling in different directions.
The industry should take a leaf from the financial services sector, which demonstrated how collaboration can benefit both the industry and consumers when established banks teamed up with start-ups who disrupted the industry with innovative, digital services under the Fintech banner. This collaboration resulted in a fruitful partnership that enhanced the value proposition of the industry.
Other areas of improvement include digitising some aspects of the operations which remain manual and tedious in nature. This can significantly improve efficiencies and result in an immediate return.
For example, electronic bills of landing are mostly physical, and these can be easily digitised through several technologies that are already available in the market. The use of 5G for better, faster and more stable connectivity can be leveraged. The operations and safety of the shipping industry rely on effective communication and 5G can play an invaluable role in this complex risk landscape.
The shortage of skilled personnel
While there is no shortage of smart solutions that can be used to improve operations, the drawback is the shortage of skilled personnel to operate and manage these applications. We believe that the regulatory framework governing the maritime sector should also be amended and make it mandatory for the industry to adopt these technologies, particularly in so far as it relates to safety.
Data and analytics have a huge role to play in the maritime industry. When ships travel, they generate tons of data from different sources and in several formats. This inflow of data from the shipping industry is collated and organised in a cloud-based system. Data analytical tools then consolidate, dissect and produce insights from this data which offer endless possibilities.
Data and analytics can positively impact the maritime industry in a number of ways, namely eliminating intuition and promoting better decision making, provide accurate predictive analysis, foster efficient vessel operations, automate operations, boost profits, reduce emissions and improve architectural decisions.
For example, data analytics can save time and money by giving vessel operators data on a likely time of engine breakdown, which will give them the opportunity to conduct proactive maintenance before the actual event.
To fully transform the sector, it will also take a combination of identifying solutions, finding people with the necessary skills and experience to implement the smart solutions needed to take the sector to the next level.
