AI and data set to transform maritime industry

The pace of change is accelerating, writes Mike Collier, business development manager for the MARSS Group, which means AI and data are already having high implications for shipping.

When thinking about the maritime industry, it’s easy to be swept up by a sense of romanticism.

Seafaring is, and will continue to be, an artform defined by a freedom to roam, with skills and knowledge being passed through the generations. And, while some vessel operators are constantly pushing at the forefront of technology there are others for whom a respect for traditions has made them more hesitant than others to depart from the established ways of doing things.

However, even the most conservative of mariners is starting to be swept up by the digital tide and the pace of change is accelerating.

Digital solutions are penetrating industries which are steeped in tradition and history, like maritime, and over the coming decades we can expect to see a rapid acceleration of seafaring transformation driven by data, automation and smart technologies.

While full autonomy may still be many decades away, crews will shrink as operations move ashore. Data-driven efficiencies from predictive analytics, optimised routing and preventive maintenance will reduce costs and environmental impact. State-of-the-art situational awareness and safety systems will make voyages more secure.