In the latest issue of Maritime CEO, the industry’s bigwigs are spilling the beans on what’s hot and what’s not in maritime tech. Let’s dive in and see what’s brewing in the sector.
At the top of the list is artificial intelligence (AI), which is set to revolutionise the way ships operate. Mikael Skov, the head honcho at Hafnia, the world’s largest product tanker owner, is bullish about AI’s potential. “These advancements are not only technologically disruptive but also essential in addressing global challenges like climate change and maritime safety,” Skov tells Splash. He’s not just talking about optimising routes or schedules; he’s talking about AI actively driving down carbon footprints. Skov reckons that AI-powered navigation optimisation could be a “game-changer” in cutting annual emissions, aligning perfectly with global sustainability goals.
But it’s not just Skov who’s singing AI’s praises. Tim Ponath, CEO of German owner NSB Group, and Arthur English, CEO of Norwegian shipowner G2 Ocean, are also betting big on AI. Ponath predicts that AI will be integrated into the day-to-day operations of vessels in 2025 and beyond. English goes a step further, saying that most tech decisions and investments will focus on AI’s potential, including vessel hardware.
Even the readers of Splash, the industry’s go-to news site, are backing AI. In an ongoing survey conducted with Inmarsat, AI topped the list of technologies expected to have the most significant impact on maritime operations in the next decade. It beat out other tech buzzwords like blockchain, Big Data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
However, it’s not all smooth sailing for AI. Niall Jack, director of product development at software provider Shipnet, warns that the industry must first address underlying challenges such as data standardisation, cybersecurity risks, and the need for skilled personnel. “Overpromising AI’s capabilities without resolving these foundational challenges may lead to suboptimal implementations and rejection of further new developments because of this,” Jack cautions.
Christian Råe Holm, the CEO of software provider Coach Solutions, echoes this sentiment. “There is still a lot of talk around AI and machine learning, but apart from optimising manual internal processes, I do not see it replacing expert human advisory yet,” Holm says. He argues that human expert support will become even more important with the advent of AI, as it takes deep knowledge to interpret the results coming out of the black box.
Beyond AI, there’s a lot more bubbling under the surface. Blockchain adoption is expected to accelerate this year, offering a tamper-proof, transparent, and decentralised system that could revolutionise shipping contracts, payments, and cargo tracking. IoT is also evolving, providing real-time, end-to-end visibility of the supply chain and improving reliability and customer experience.
Green tech is another hot topic. Haakon Lenz, the new CEO at Wilhelmsen Ship Management, is keeping a close eye on ammonia engines, which could revolutionise the industry’s journey toward decarbonisation. Mark Cameron, chief operating officer at Ardmore Shipping, is a “net believer” in wind assist technology, which is starting to provide qualified data to help interpret specific routes, times of year, and vessel types.
Hull coatings are back in vogue, and carbon capture solutions for existing vessels are expected to advance, with retrofitting becoming mandatory in the near future. The quicker the industry drives investment in shore-based recycling plants, the quicker emissions can be cut by 80%, almost overnight, says Andrew Airery, head of Thai manager Highland Maritime.
In the crewing industry, proactive thinking is finally taking momentum. Claire Georgeson, founder and CEO of analytics firm PsyFyi, notes that bold solutions are being adopted without having obvious and immediate returns on investment. Training applications, VR, crew-centric data solutions, AI, and other software are being introduced as proactive measures to save money before it’s spent.
Pradeep Chawla, the CEO of online training specialist MarinePALS, predicts a higher demand for e-learning and self-learning, driven by the challenges of training for the use of alternative fuels. However, he laments that the shipping industry spends a much smaller portion of its operating costs on training compared to other high-hazard industries.
So, what does all this mean for the future of the maritime industry? It’s clear that AI is set to play a significant role, but the industry must first address foundational challenges. Blockchain, IoT, and green tech are also expected to shape the sector, while the crewing industry is finally waking up to the need for proactive training solutions. It’s an exciting time for maritime tech, and it’s clear that the industry is ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The
