Survey: Industry Urged to Shift to Smart Shipping and Big Data

The time has come for the maritime industry to make a move towards smart shipping as CEOs, chairmen and directors of maritime and offshore companies urge the adoption of new technology in order to capitalise on opportunities and navigate today’s increasingly complex operating environment, according to new survey data by Sea Asia 2017.

Some 94 percent of the company representatives surveyed believe that the industry should move to smart shipping, while another 81 percent recognise the importance of Big Data to the future of the shipping and maritime industry.

According to the survey, conducted ahead of Sea Asia 2017, the representatives also highlighted that new technological developments are crucial in helping industry players transform the way their businesses operate sustainably.

“A small number of industry players are shifting towards smart shipping. However, with technology developing at a fast pace today, it is important that the industry adapts quickly. To encourage this shift, industry players need to realise the benefits of welcoming technological changes in the industry,” Group Chairman of Taiwan’s U-Ming Marine Transport Corp, Douglas Hsu, said.

Across the region, the industry is working alongside government and private sector partners to drive the development of technology and innovation to help ensure it is well positioned to capture new opportunities and navigate new trends and challenges.

“Smart technologies in shipping will help optimise ship operations and improve ship-to-shore communications and vice versa,” Managing Director of Precious Shipping Ltd, Khalid Hashim, said.

“The collection of Big Data is important in helping ship owners evaluate the performance of their vessels. By utilising the data collected in areas like machinery parameters, fuel consumption and vessel speed, ship owners can then look into how they optimise further the capabilities of their vessels,” Hashim added.